Have you ever been affected by a Children's book? If the answer is no, then you must read "Wonder" written by R. J. Palacio! This book was highly recommended to me by a retired Brighton High School teacher who now works at Brighton Barnes & Noble (thank you Karen). I will say that "Wonder" did indeed affect me. Our store was approached by Dede Dankelson, Chairman of the Board of Children's Craniofacial Association. She is spreading the word about "Choose Kind Challenge"...because people with facial differences need to be treated with kindness. CCA is a national organization, Dede lives in our neck of the woods with her family. Her oldest son Peter is affected by Craniofacial, he just turned 13 yrs old and could be considered a real-life "Auggie", the main character in "Wonder". His mother read this book and contacted the author because she couldn't believe how much this story related to her son and family. This past summer Peter was invited to perform a staged reading in Santa Monica, CA as the part of Auggie. He also met author R.J. Palacio, who wrote about Peter in the Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition of Wonder. His mom Dede also has an excerpt in this book.
I took the Choose Kind Challenge, I signed the Pledge, I bought button pins for all my co-workers, I helped host an event with Peter's school...did you see their awesome artwork on our windows this month? Peter and his friends gave an outstanding staged reading in our store this month. I just wanted to say, Wow Peter and Wow Dede for your efforts to bring awareness to CCA and simply teaching children how to react to people with facial differences...it's really easy...you choose kind.
Find out how you and your school can get involved at ccakids.org
Maria Kelly