Episode 6: Wonder ft. @ez_bakezz
Summary
Hosts Alexis and Sarah welcome guest Erica to discuss R.J. Palacio’s *Wonder*. They analyze the book’s themes of kindness, bullying, and disability, sharing personal anecdotes about their own experiences with exclusion and mental health. The conversation also covers the film adaptation’s casting choices and the societal pressure to be unique versus ordinary.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Erica from Booking Benches
Reading age differences and unique chapter structures
Themes of ordinariness and the paradox of being different
Mental health stigma, self-diagnosis, and disability representation
Movie adaptation casting controversies and ability
Personal bullying stories and the lasting impact of kindness
Trust issues, sibling dynamics, and Via's perspective
Comparing struggles and the 'ships' metaphor
School curriculum and classic literature comparisons
Roses and thorns, rereading books, and outro
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