Wonder is a love song to simple, basic kindness. It takes so little kindness to make such a big difference. Kindness can be like a domino, with a single act toppling into another until a new friendship forms, knocking down isolation, sadness, and suffering as it grows.
But you don't have to take our word for it. Mr. Tushman himself breaks it down quite nicely:
If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary—the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God. (8.A Simple Thing.23)
Questions About Kindness
- Summer is kind to Auggie when she sits with him the first day of school, saving him from total isolation. Jack thinks she is really brave to have sat down with Auggie on that first day of school, since no one had even asked her to, but Summer thinks it's "not a biggie." Does it take courage to choose to be kind?
- Does anyone in Wonder suffer from choosing to be kind to Auggie?
- Why is kindness so widely promoted as an antidote to bullying?
- What do you think is the kindest thing any character in Wonder does?
Chew on This
Charlotte is nice. Summer is kind. Kindness is more than just being nice.
It is harder to be kind than to be mean because kindness requires vulnerability.