The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
One Book on the Riverbend picks ‘Wonder’
MIDDLETOWN — The One Book on the Riverbend Committee is offering community programming and conversations this year focusing on the book “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.
Now in its 15th year, One Book will present programs at the Russell Library in Middletown, Middletown Senior Center, Middlesex Community College, Portland Library, Belden Library in Cromwell and the Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore. Copies are available for check-out at libraries and for purchase at the bookstore.
This year’s book discussions and community events will center on choosing kindness, while also bringing awareness to bullying, according to a press release from Russell Library. Multigenerational book discussions, speakers, film presentations and more will be offered April 25 through May 31.
The goal of One Book on the Riverbend is to encourage communities to read the same book at the same time and talk about it. By doing so, library staff hope that more people (especially young people) will grow to enjoy reading, the press release continued.
The book begins with,
The goal of One Book on the Riverbend is to encourage communities to read the same book at the same time and talk about it.
“My name is August. I won’t describe to you what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.”
Auggie is 10 years old and wants to be just like everyone else.
He is, however, far from ordinary. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, he has been home schooled by his parents his entire life in an attempt to protect him from the cruelty of the outside world, the release continued.
Now, Auggie’s parents are sending him to a real school. Narrated by Auggie and the people around him whose lives he touches, “Wonder” is a frank, funny, moving debut to be read in one sitting, passed along to others, and remembered long after the final page.
For information, visit One Book on the Riverbend on Facebook or the Middletown Rotary Club website.