THE JULIAN CHAPTER A Wonder Story

Julian is the bully of Palacio's bestseller, WONDER. In that book, Julian never explained himself; in this one, he does. Narrator Michael Chamberlain walks a fine line in character presentation. We need to understand Julian but not necessarily to like him. He is, after all, a bully, with enabling parents. Chamberlain embodies Julian's mother with believable fortitude as she staunchly defends him and argues with school officials about his behavior. When Julian goes to visit his grandmother in Paris, Chamberlain really shines. A fine French accent and a firm but loving demeanor emanate from grand-mère. Her story and her voice coax remorse from the defensive Julian, providing a glimpse into the making and unmaking of a bully. L.T. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2014]