Novel ‘Wonder’ helps me understand how kindness can make a big difference

Editor's Note:

"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn

Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.
Over the years, reading has become an important part of my life. I always remember a notable motto that says, "Books are the ladder of human progress."

I like reading because reading can change people's lives. Through reading, people can obtain different information, knowledge and experiences, which can help them better understand the world and improve themselves.

At the same time, reading good books can also help people establish good values, world views and life attitudes, and obtain spiritual satisfaction and growth, and promote personal development.

Reading has not only enriched my mind, but also provided spiritual support and impetus for my growth.

For example, my favorite book Wonder by R.J. Palacio shows the substance of empathy, friendship, acceptance and celebrating differences.

I remember a quote from the book says that when given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind. I believes in this quote.

Wonder tells the story of August, a 10-year-old boy who lives with his parents and sister in New York.

August is an ordinary boy in many ways. He likes riding a bike and playing video games. But August, or Auggie as people call him, was born with facial deformities and so looks very different from others. Because of his facial deformities, his mother homeschooled him for the past five years, but the family finally decided that it was time for him to start school. Auggie's first year at school was terrible, most people were afraid of him, so they kept away. Day after day, some kids bullied him with a game called "The Plague."

Whenever somebody got close to Auggie, that meant they caught the plague. But he never gave up on himself, and never lost hope. Through the hard times, a girl called Summer reached out her hands for him to be friends, that was when August first felt kindness from friends.

But towards the end, a dramatic event at a school camp changed things completely, people found out how brave he was, and how hard it was for him to get along with people and began to understand him.

Kindness is the main theme in Wonder. It helps us realize that a small, simple act of kindness can make a big difference, and we have the ability to choose kindness. From this book, I have learned to face differences in people. Maybe if we knew what other people were thinking, we'd know that no one is ordinary, and at least we all deserve a standing ovation at least once in our lives, because everyone is a unique star, and always ready to shine.

In 2017, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name by US director Stephen Chbosky. The film features stars like Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson and was a box-office success due to the heartwarming story that resonated with many audiences.

Although some of us do not go through the kind of hardship that Auggie does, we still can feel connected to the boy's story because at some points in life we have all gone through struggles and pain like Auggie.

Books like this make me believe that cultural productions can really inspire people and change how people think about life.

All in all, reading helps us become better people, and we can also gain happiness. If we continue to learn and constantly improve our cognition, we will be able to achieve a higher level of happiness. This sense of happiness derived from knowledge leads to both external happiness and inner satisfaction and prosperity.

So, I hope everyone can find a book that makes your day, and try to make reading part of your life.

The author is a student at the Beijing Wenhui Middle School