Auggie & Me

Julian Albans is a fifth grader at Beecher Prep Middle School. Julian is the only child of two wealthy parents. His father is a lawyer, and his mother is on the board of trustees at Julian’s school. Because his family travels frequently, Julian feels “pretty okay talking to adults” (11). Julian is not always aware of the way he comes off to others. Whether he is self-deceived or oblivious, his narrative shows that he doesn’t realize the severity of his actions. He is so preoccupied with avoiding the anxiety that he feels around Auggie and trying to be cool that he doesn’t think about the impact he has on his peers.

Julian likes being the most popular kid at school. He sees anyone spending time with Auggie as a direct threat to his social security. He feels betrayed by Jack Will for becoming friends with Auggie. Julian is not yet mature enough to realize that Jack and Summer being friends doesn’t mean they don’t like him. He has convinced himself that the world is Julian versus Auggie to deflect the fear that he feels around Auggie. While Julian is a static character in Wonder, he develops in Auggie & Me.