By now everyone has read or heard about Wonder, a heartfelt novel that reveals the importance of accepting others for who they are, not for what they appear to be. Ugly, a memoir by Robert Hoge, is a wonderful nonfiction pairing with Wonder, or a great book on its own for those who want to know about the experiences of growing up with physical challenges and overcoming them.

Robert’s life in school is predictably rough because of his physical disabilities, but he overcomes those far easier than the challenges he faces fitting in. Thanks to a loving family that never let Robert feel that he couldn’t do what his brothers and sisters were able to, Robert accomplished milestones beyond what his parents and doctors dreamed when he was born.

This memoir explores kids kindness and cruelty but also gives examples of how adults can positively or negatively change a child’s perceptions of his abilities.  Ugly gives us a chance to reflect on what we can do to encourage others and capitalize on their attributes over anything else.

 

Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe– a chapter book that offers a lot of story in a smaller package, and new to our library! Cody is a thoughtful girl, but sometimes she feels her family and friends don’t think she’s thoughtful enough (maybe too much action instead). But Cody wonders about a lot of things she sees and hears…and some of them cause a little bit of worry- for her friends, her family, and even the new kids she initially feared.  The Meen family can make quite a few kids scared… Cody and her best friend find that mysteries are the most satisfying to solve when they end in music and new connections.  Another bonus? This is one in a series for those who prefer series chapter books as a transition from picture book fiction. (Great for grades 2-5)

Sketch review…