Review: The Julian Chapter by RJ Palacio

Over 1 million people have read Wonder and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. Now readers will have a chance to hear from the book's most controversial character—Julian. 

From the very first day Auggie and Julian met in the pages of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, it was clear they were never going to be friends, with Julian treating Auggie like he had the plague. And while Wonder told Auggie's story through six different viewpoints, Julian's perspective was never shared. Readers could only guess what he was thinking.

Until now. The Julian Chapter will finally reveal the bully's side of the story. Why is Julian so unkind to Auggie? And does he have a chance for redemption?

Review: I was so excited for this novella which is an extra chapter to the fabulous Wonder! I was really lucky because I literally went from reading Wonder onto reading this in the space of a week so I would really recommend re-reading wonder to get you in the right mindset for this one. A whole novella from the bullies point of view? Inspired. This novella has all the same great qualities as Wonder had. It is quick and pacey, has all the feels and a totally realistic voice of a teenage(ish) boy! 

I thought Julian was a totally hateful character after I read wonder. Everyone I meet who has read wonder feels the same way and so I kind of wasn't looking forward to hearing things from his point of view. I thought that perhaps I wouldn't spend the entire novella hating him, but I was surprised to find myself sympathising and even empathising with him during the reading of this one. It was also really great to hear some of the events from wonder retold from another point of view. 

This novella had the same great writing as wonder had an it was an absolute pleasure to be reading something by this author once again. She really does have the voice of the boys right and each character she writes about has their own unique way of thinking, something which I'm pretty impressed with. I'd love to hear more about Julian and August and I think a Wonder sequel would be absolutely inspired! 

Slight spoiler coming...

I read this with the same group of children at school who I read Wonder with and they loved every moment of it, particularly the story that Julian's grandmother tells. They were convinced the Julian would go back to Beacher Prep and were slightly disappointed that he didn't. So much so, that they are talking about rewriting the ending so that Auggie and Julian do meet up again. This is the impact that this writer has, encourages people to read and write as well as thinking about their actions-just fabulous!

#ChooseKind 

Review: Wonder by RJ Palacio

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

Review: wow, I literally could not stop reading this book, unputdownable is a complete understatement. I actually started reading this with a group of children at school and then I made sure we all had a copy so we could all finish it over the holidays. The short chapters, the mystery behind what August really looks like, the situation with him  and his school had us all completely mesmerised and desperate to carry on reading it. 

Firstly, I loved the character development in this book. It's not just August who grows and learns over the course of the novel. This book is written from several points of view and all the other characters grow and change and I love that about the story. The point of view who we don't hear from is the one belonging to any adult. There are no teacher chapters or parent chapters, this is told entirely from the children's perspective, which I think is brave but brilliant! I particularly enjoyed seeing august's sister Via change over the course of the novel, the kids I was reading with agreed that intiallly she seems passive aggressive but that we do feel sorry for her having to deal with all she deals with, she really blossoms in this novel and the way she deals with her own problems in truly admirable! 

I loved the idea that whatever August has is an entirely new thing, it means that no one has the exact condition he has and so there's no risk of offending people with one of the conditions he has because he is completely unique, and indeed the novel teaches that it is completely ok to be unique, this is strong message throughout the whole book. I loved August sense of humour as well, we know that he sees himself as normal and why should no one else, but we see that he copes with the way he looks and the way he is different from everyone else with humour and courage and yet he can completely empathise with others, despite his being so completely unique! 

There are some very funny bits in this novel, it's not all moral lessons, there is a storyline and humour, action which will leave you breathless, and real life. Anyone starting a new school or a new situation will be able to identify with August and his fears, Via too! This also teaches a powerful lesson about friendship and bullying which is why I decided to read it at school, it is beautifully written too which also comes in handy at school but which adds to the fact that this book is completely addictive. Having just finished this book. I know that this is something I will want to reread again and again! 

As you can see from the beautiful picture in this post, I have the special edition copy of the novel which has some bonus material in the back. This includes some interesting discussion questions, information about the author and some fan reactions to the book and to August. It was well worth the extra money for this edition, and let's face it, the cover is lovely too! 

Review: Love in Sight by Holly Gilliat

Jason knows what he wants out of life, even if he can't see it.

Like most people, Jason's looking for that elusive happily-ever-after. But although he's good-looking, athletic, funny and charming--he's starting to realize that his white cane isn't exactly a chick magnet. When he meets Heather, he can't believe such a sweet, smart, beautiful woman is falling for him. Best of all, she doesn't seem bothered by his occasional run-in with a low-hanging tree branch or inability to color coordinate. They soon become inseparable. But as they begin to negotiate their life together, they encounter obstacles even his white cane can't navigate. 

While Jason's dreams seem to be slipping from his grasp, he's forced to face his insecurities and accept who he is...and maybe see things more clearly than ever before.

Love in Sight is a novel about coming to terms with what you can live with and what you can't live without.

Review: I found this to be a really compelling read, a real page turner. Such an original idea for a storyline, I've never read a love story between a sighted person and a visually impaired person, that's for sure and it was a real experience. The love story wasn't really any different because of on persons vision, there is the usual build up and roller coaster of emotions but the issues they come across and the problems they face are definitely different form the usual coupe. The storyline starts of fairly pacey, introducing us to the characters and their blossoming relationship but parts of the book do slow down a little bit, giving the impression that you're going through each and every issue with the characters. It is a bit like sitting in traffic sometimes you're going along fine, nice and quickly and other times you are suddenly crawling along, stuck in a fight with these two main characters. This was really clever writing because it involves you so much in the plot and the novel as a whole. 

I loved Heathers character. She was realistic, was driven in her teaching career and loathed to give up her independence to be in a relationship. Jason, however, I wasn't so keen on, in fact I did spend the novel hating him (I'm really sorry!) He was a cute, sensitive guy but had a massively short temper and was really bad at being flexible to accommodate others. I think I disliked him so much because I know guys like this and really don't like them so it hit a bit too close to home, but he caused his friends and family so much hurt with the short temper I just couldn't warm to him and embrace him like I might have done. There are some wonderful supporting characters in this story too, amongst Jason's family and Heathr's friends. 

The blindness was dealt with really well and I think it takes a lot of courage to write a character with some sort of disability, but I think it was written really well, acknowledged and yet not what the whole story was about. There are some real highs and lows in this book, I laughed and I cried, I loved and I hated and I was amazed by things I didn't know about visual impairment. Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and it's definitely one that stayed with me long after I finished! 

Review! By My Side by Alice Peterson

One step can change everything...

Cass Brooks loves her job, her boyfriend Sean, her life. Until, leaving home one morning, distracted and hungover, she steps into the path of a truck.

When she wakes up, she can’t walk. And suddenly all her hopes and dreams, the plans she’d made with Sean, the future she thought she’d have, seem out of her reach.

But then fate intervenes again. Cass meets Ticket, a loyal golden Labrador who refuses to leave her side. And on a flight to Colorado, she sits next to Charlie, who believes he can show her a life full of possibilities, if only she’ll let him.

Cass wants her life back the way it was. Charlie knows this cannot be. Yet a future beckons all the same...

Review: I had heard so much hype about this book and was looking for something to use my audio book credit on, so thought instead of buying the eBook; I would download the audio book. I absolutely devoured this book in the hours that it took the lovely narrator to read it to me-I loved it so much. It was a fabulous heart-warming tale. So simple, the story of someone getting their life back on track and yet, so relevant to so many readers!

I was really worried that the fact that Cass has lost the ability to walk was going to really upset me, but I actually loved the fact that we had a heroine in a wheelchair! I think it is brilliant to have someone in a wheelchair who is the star of the book. And Cass is certainly no shrinking violet. She sees what has happened to her, allows it to affect her for the appropriate amount of time, and then simply gets on with her life. She does things I might not even consider doing being an able bodied person.

The relationships that she has within the book are also fabulous. I really like the way her mum and dad feature so heavily throughout the course of the book, it really reiterates the need to keep your family on side, because she really relied on them when this life-changing event happened to her. She also has a lovely relationship with other paraplegics that she meets along the course of the story. Each one has their own story of how their disability came about. These give the story so much depth and also add new, strong characters to this already wonderful novel.

There are two very important men that I have to touch on who are a major part of Cass’s story and indeed the novel as a whole. Charlie, the love interest and Ticket, Cass’s gorgeous assistance dog. The combination of these two heroes really gets Cass’s life burning again. They mean that she can go skiing, get herself back out to work, and have a proper life like any other able-bodied person. I have to admit, I was seriously suspicious of Charlie at the beginning of this novel, I felt sure that he was going to hurt Cass, but I did really warm to him towards the end. Ticket of course, I loved the whole way through and think that there should be more awareness of assistance dogs, not just those for the deaf and the blind!

Overall I would defy anyone not to fall in love with this novel. It has all the qualities of a fabulous read no matter what the weather is doing outside. There are some wonderfully funny bits, especially where Cass and her friend decide to take on someone who has taken the last disabled space in the car park (I actually cheered at this bit). I loved having the audio book but whatever format you choose to get your copy in, you will not be disappointed. There are definitely a few weepy areas, and things get quite deep in some parts, but overall, it is a fast paced journey which will allow you to fall in love with Cass, Ticket, and their journey together. 

You can buy a copy of this wonderful novel by clicking here
You can also visit Alice Peterson's website by clicking here.
Or follow this fabulous author on Twitter @AlicePeterson1