Lesson 16: imagine an alternative ending

In this lesson you will:

• Write about the book,  using evidence from the text to justify your opinions
• Use your imagination and your understanding of a character to plan an alternative ending
• Draw or map out your alternative ending

Read to the end of the book. You may have a lot of reading to do so this may take up today's lesson - that's not a problem. If you wish, you can listen to the story here.

When you get to the end of the book, take a few moments to reflect on Auggie's story and then answer the following questions:

1. What are your first impressions of the ending? Is it a good ending or not? Why?
2. What do you like or dislike about the ending? (You may have answered this in Q1).
3. Was the ending satisfactory?
4. Do you think that Auggie showed 'greatness' and if so, how? If not, why not?

Alternative Ending

P.J. Palacio chose to give the story an ending that leaves us feeling upbeat, positive and happy. I wonder, what if the ending had not been a happy one? What if we're left feeling sad, worried or just not as positive as the ending in the book?

Think about Auggie. What alternative ending could have been written that perhaps, was not so good? Think about the way that Auggie talks to the reader. He uses quite a mature voice, don't you think? In fact sometimes he sounds almost adult and not like a child.

Plan an alternative ending for the story. Choose an ending that doesn't end quite as upbeat or positively as the book (but don't kill Auggie off). If you can, call a friend and discuss your alternative ending.

Make a storyboard, comic or map of your alternative ending (you can use a comic strip template which I have  added here, or draw your own comic strip).

When you have completed your comic strip, storyboard or map, tell the alternative ending out loud. Does it make sense? Is it a plausible ending?