Our grandchildren, ages 7, 10 and 11 went to see the movie, Wonder, during the Thanksgiving holiday. Our oldest grandson, age 14, had read the book and decided to see another super heroes movie, Justice League, which got terrible reviews, but was the number two grossing movie. Wonder came in at number three, while CoCo, also a great children’s movie, came in at number one. In fact, the grandchildren recommend all three of these holiday movies, and have seen some more than once. It is great, but not unexpected, that three children’s movies took the top grossing spots during the holiday.
The older grandchildren read the book, Wonder, and highly recommend it. Here is Amazon’s review of the book:
“Wonder is a rare gem of a novel–beautifully written and populated by characters who linger in your memory and heart. August Pullman is a 10-year-old boy who likes Star Wars and Xbox, ordinary except for his jarring facial anomalies. Homeschooled all his life, August heads to public school for fifth grade and he is not the only one changed by the experience–something we learn about first-hand through the narratives of those who orbit his world. August’s internal dialogue and interactions with students and family ring true, and though remarkably courageous he comes across as a sweet, funny boy who wants the same things others want: friendship, understanding, and the freedom to be himself. “It is only with one’s heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.””
On Amazon, it is received five stars and is listed as the number seventeen most read book. It is a great stocking stuffer for this holiday if your grandchildren have not read it or have aged up to where the book is an appropriate read. On Amazon, the age range is listed as 8 – 12 years and the grade level is listed as 3 – 7. Buy on Amazon.
In the book, the reader is left to create in his or her mind how the main character appears to others, while now in the movie, we have a real boy who leaves nothing to the imagination. Some reviews of the movie said the book was better, primarily because of this. However, the reviewers underestimate the impact of the movie on all generations.
Our youngest grandchild was crying uncontrollably at the end of the movie. When asked why, he said he was crying with joy for the boy. This Grandma thinks that reaction shows his intelligence and maturity, but, of course, I am his grandmother and think he is amazing. The other grandchildren and my oldest daughter, who took them, loved the movie. But, because the movie had such an emotional impact on the seven year old, I decided to check www.commonsensemedia, my go to website for movie and video reviews to see if the movie was age appropriate for him. My daughters think it is conservative, but when it comes to our grandchildren, I am fine with conservative.
Check out the review.
On the website, the recommended age is ten and older. That seems to be the target age for the book as well. However, parents and children rate it as for children eight and above. I love that the website gives good insight into what parents (and grandparents) need to know:
“. . . that Wonder is an earnest, emotional family drama based on R.J. Palacio’s award-winning novel of the same name. It centers on Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a young boy with a genetic facial difference. Auggie meets both cruel bullies and good friends as he attends school for the first time; his supportive family (including his parents, played by Julia
Roberts and Owen Wilson) is always there for him — even when he tries to push them away. The movie has clear positive messages about choosing kindness, appreciating everyone for who they are (rather than what they look like), and true friendship; empathy and perseverance are also strong themes. There’s some fighting among tweens/young teens and sad moments involving a loss. Language includes name-calling and insult words like “shut up,” “jerk,” “freak,” and “deformed,” as well as an “oh my God” or two. Teens kiss, and adults flirt/exchange mile innuendo. A teen character finishes her mom’s abandoned glass of wine after her mom, who’s going through a difficult divorce, falls asleep/passes out.”
The website also gives questions to discuss with children and grandchildren and how to introduce character strengths of perseverance and empathy. Wonder delivers wonderful lessons for our grandchildren and Common Sense Media helps us to discuss it with the grandchildren.
Wonder also delivers a strong performance by a favorite actress, Julia Roberts, which makes the movie attractive to adults as well. Last evening, we went to dinner with GG (great grandmother) who just saw the movie, and like the grandchildren, raved about it as a must see.
Aha! Here is a movie for great grandparents to enjoy with members of the family of all ages.
There is no movie for the entire family to enjoy together that could be better in this holiday season.
Joy,
Mema
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