"kinder than is necessary"

Last month I finished reading the book Wonder, a young adult novel, written by R.J. Palacio.

Can I just say W.O.W. Loved it. Loved it! It was the kind of book that you can’t put down, that you just have to know what happens next. 

To begin with, I loved the story line. It is about a boy, August, who was born with a severely deformed face. Because of all of his health issues and surgeries, he has never been to a main-stream school. However, he decides to attend a main-stream school for the 5^th grade. The book is about his experiences transitioning into the school. 

The book is told from the perspective of different characters in the book. So not only do you get August’s perception of his transition, but also that of family and friends. I really thought the author did a beautiful job of weaving all of the different perspectives together to tell a great story.

My favorite thing about the book is that it really made me think. I was constantly thinking what character I am most like in the book, and what character I would like to be like. (And, in case you are wondering, I totally want to be like Summer!) It made me think about how mean people can be—often times not meaning to be. It also made me think about being kind to others, and just how much good I can do by simply being nice to someone. It also made me realize that when I see someone with a disability, instead of looking away because I don’t want to come off as being rude, look them in the eye and smile at them. Most likely, they see themselves as a “normal” person, and would appreciate being treated as such.

Towards the end of the book the school August attended for 5^th grade has a graduation/award type ceremony. At the event the principal, Mr. Tushman, is speaking to the crowd. This is the last part of his little speech: 

“If every single person…made it a rule 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." 

By far, that was my favorite quote and lesson from the book—not just to be kind, but to be “kinder than is necessary.” It is such a simple, yet beautiful, concept.  Yet, I truly believe it has the power to change lives.