Fans of Augie's story, Wonder, will only need to read a few pages, or perhaps paragraphs or sentences of Mustaches for Maddie to fall in love the central figure in this charming, uplifting and socially aware novel.
12-year old Maddie has a quirky sense of humor and loves making her classmates laugh by slapping on fake mustaches every chance she gets. Being funny gets her noticed by class queen bee, Cassie - that is until Maddie is cast as Juliet in the school play, a role that Cassie had been campaigning for aggressively.
When Maddie starts tripping when she walks, and her hand starts curling up at her side, it is confirmed that she has a brain tumor. Maddie doesn't want anyone to know, especially Cassie, whose jealously has turned to bullying.
This fictionalized account of real life Maddie's story is told by her parents who clearly have the same positive outlook, and silly sense of humor as Maddie. The book closes with a letter from Maddie in which she tells us...
I think that everyone who reads this book should realize the moral of this story is....
Drum roll please...
To love potatoes and mustaches.
Okay, probably not really. There's more to it.
I learned a lot through my friend troubles, and surgeries. Like small acts of kindness go a long way. A really long way. And when things are rough, you can always find a way to laugh.
I really try hard to be friends with everyone....sometimes it takes courage to be kind to some people. But we need to always stick up for what's right. You can do it. Anytime, anywhere, you can have compassion. Everybody needs a friend and that friend can be you.
Be kind. Smile more. Laugh more. Dream more.
Enough said.
Thanks for stopping by.
