Wonder

Via describes her family as a galaxy. “August is the Sun. Me and Mom and Dad are planets orbiting the Sun” (82), and their friends and family are comets and asteroids that orbit around them. Because Daisy the dog doesn’t see Auggie’s face any differently, she doesn’t orbit him like the rest. Via understands the way this universe works. Her acceptance stems from her knowledge that Auggie needs so much attention that complaining about her own life won’t get her anywhere. Her tolerance of playing second fiddle to Auggie is therefore not because, as her parents think, she’s simply “the most understanding little girl in the world” (82). Via rationalizes that, after witnessing someone going through all the heartache and headache that Auggie’s gone through, complaining about not getting a toy seems foolish. She doesn’t want to bother her parents with “little stuff” (83), so she takes care of herself. She always puts on a brave face, even when life is difficult to handle. This year, however, feels different, as if there’s a disturbance in the family’s galaxy.