I always believe the best way to teach kids is by storytelling. Julian’s grandmother is also very integral because her storyline really resonates with Julian. Jaramillo : Julian wasn’t getting the tough love he needed from his parents. Slate : Without giving away details, Julian’s grandmother is an important new character who fills in his family history. There is such a fine line between meanness, social isolation, and bullying. Sometimes that includes letting kids be a little meaner than they should be. I think parents are so eager to see their kids not on the bottom of the totem pole, as they perceive things socially, that sometimes they’re willing to turn a blind eye to whatever they think their kids need to do to not be on the bottom. Jaramillo : One reason I wrote Wonder was to anonymously address how I wished other parents would behave. And allow him the possibility of a little bit of an epiphany. I wanted us to understand what was motivating Julian’s anger and hostility toward Auggie. And always with little kids, there is something redeemable. Jaramillo : I was researching 365 Days of Wonder, another companion book that will come out in August, and I came across one quote I loved so much: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” If you look at people that way, with a little compassion and tenderness, you come away with a better worldview. Slate : Like me! And I think this e-book is the perfect format. But so many people really, really wanted to hear from Julian. It was too long, in proportion, to include in the book. But it was pretty negative, and I felt like it would have hijacked Wonder. Raquel Jaramillo : I always had a backstory for Julian. Why did you decide to write in Julian’s voice now? Slate: Julian’s perspective isn’t included in Wonder, even though some chapters are narrated by characters other than Auggie.

The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio