Complete Study Guide: August's Visit to Middle School

Arrival at the Middle School Director's Office

• Navigating the Hallways:

  • August and his mother, Isabel Pullman, follow Mr. Tushman down several school hallways.

  • Few people are present in the hallways, and those present do not seem to notice August, likely because he actively conceals himself behind his mother.

  • August acknowledges that hiding behind his mother feels "babyish," but reflects that he was not feeling brave at that moment.

• Reaching the Office:

  • The group arrives at a small room marked with the sign: OFFICE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR on the door.

  • Inside the room, a woman sits behind a administrative desk.

Meeting Mrs. Garcia (Mrs. G)

• Initial Introductions and Micro-Expressions:

  • Mr. Tushman introduces the receptionist: "This is Mrs. Garcia."

  • Mrs. Garcia smiles at Isabel Pullman, removes her glasses, and stands up from her chair.

  • Isabel shakes her hand, stating: "Isabel Pullman, nice to meet you."

  • Mr. Tushman introduces August: "And this is August."

  • Isabel steps slightly to the side to encourage August to step forward.

  • The Micro-Reaction: As August looks up at her, Mrs. Garcia's eyes drop momentarily—a specific reaction August notes he has seen "a million times before." The reaction occurs so rapidly that no one else would notice, as the rest of her facial expression remains fixed in a "shiny smile."

• Physical Interaction and Eye Contact:

  • Mrs. Garcia holds out her hand, saying: "Such a pleasure to meet you, August."

  • August quietly responds "Hi" and offers his hand, but avoids facial eye contact by staring at her glasses, which hang from a chain around her neck.

  • Mrs. Garcia remarks on his grip: "Wow, what a firm grip!" August notes that her hand feels very warm.

  • Mr. Tushman adds: "The kid's got a killer handshake," causing the adults in the room to laugh.

• Administrative Duties and Desk Observations:

  • Mrs. Garcia informs August: "You can call me Mrs. G… That's what everyone calls me."

  • She lists common student requests she handles daily:

  • "Mrs. G, I forgot my combination."

  • "Mrs. G, I need a late pass."

  • "Mrs. G, I want to change my elective."

  • Mr. Tushman jokes: "Mrs. G's actually the one who runs the place," prompting further laughter from the adults.

  • While Mrs. Garcia speaks, August examines her desk items and her brown sandals, which feature small purple flowers on the buckles.

  • Mrs. Garcia explains her schedule and availability: "I'm here every morning by seven-thirty… So if you ever need anything, August, I'm the one to ask. And you can ask me anything."

  • August mumbles "Okay" in response.

• Bulletin Board Photograph and Genuine Connection:

  • Isabel points to a photograph on Mrs. Garcia's bulletin board: "Oh, look at that cute baby… Is he yours?"

  • Mrs. Garcia responds with a genuine, warm smile (distinct from her initial "shiny smile"): "No, my goodness! You've just made my day. He's my grandson."

  • Isabel asks how old he is, and Mrs. Garcia explains that while he was $5\,\text{months}$ old in the picture, he is currently almost $8\,\text{years}$ old.

  • Isabel compliments the child, calling him "absolutely beautiful."

  • Mrs. Garcia's demeanor shifts to an authentic warmth; her smile grows slightly smaller, and she offers a heartfelt reassurance to Isabel: "We're all going to take very good care of August."

  • Mrs. Garcia gives Isabel's hand a gentle squeeze, leading August to notice that his mother is just as nervous as he is.

  • August concludes that he prefers Mrs. Garcia when she is not wearing her artificial "shiny smile."

Exploration of Mr. Tushman's Office

• Office Layout and Student Artwork:

  • The group transitions into Mr. Tushman's personal office, located directly across from Mrs. Garcia's desk.

  • Mr. Tushman closes the door and sits behind a large desk while continuing to speak.

  • August focuses on items on Mr. Tushman's desk, including:

  • A globe that floats in mid-air.

  • A Rubik's-type cube constructed with small mirrors.

  • August admires the framed student drawings and paintings displayed on the walls, noting that they are presented as if they are valuable and important.

  • Isabel sits in one of the chairs facing the desk; August chooses to stand beside her rather than take the adjacent empty chair.

• Administrative Roles and Humor Regarding Names:

  • August asks: "Why do you have your own room and Mrs. G doesn't?… You said she runs the place."

  • Mr. Tushman clarifies that he was joking and explains that Mrs. Garcia is his assistant, while Isabel explains that Mr. Tushman is the Director of the Middle School.

  • August asks if students call him "Mr. T."

  • Mr. Tushman smiles and references the famous figure Mr. T, reciting in a tough voice: "Do you know who Mr. T is? 'I pity the fool?'"

  • August does not recognize the cultural reference.

  • Mr. Tushman notes that no one calls him Mr. T, though he suspects students call him other unsaid nicknames, acknowledging: "Let's face it, a name like mine is not so easy to live with, you know what I mean?"

  • August laughs, relating directly to the burden of unfortunate surnames, and shares: "My mom and dad had a teacher called Miss Butt."

  • Isabel reprimands him ("Auggie!"), but Mr. Tushman laughs and admits: "Now, that's bad… I guess I shouldn't complain."

The "Pumpkin" Portrait and Humor

• The Student Painting:

  • August interrupts Mr. Tushman to point at a framed painting hanging behind the desk: "Is that a pumpkin?"

  • Isabel reminds August not to interrupt, but Mr. Tushman addresses the question directly.

  • Mr. Tushman reveals that he also assumed it was a pumpkin until the student artist clarified its subject: "It is… are you ready for this… a portrait of me! Now, August, I ask you: do I really look that much like a pumpkin?"

  • August replies "No!" out loud, but internally thinks yes.

• Visual Realization and Cheeks Joke:

  • August observes that when Mr. Tushman smiles, his cheeks puff out in a way that resembles a jack-o'-lantern.

  • August connects the physical feature ("cheeks") with the director's surname ("Tushman"), finds the association hilarious, covers his mouth with his hand, and giggles while shaking his head.

  • Mr. Tushman smiles in a manner suggesting he can read August's thoughts.

Reflection on Peer Interaction and Coping Mechanisms

• Sudden Onset of Anxiety:

  • Hearing children's voices outside the office causes August's heart rate to surge instantly, feeling as though he had run a long race.

  • The lighthearted humor and laughter he experienced moments earlier evaporate entirely.

• Differences Between Young Children and Older Children:

  • Very Young Children: August did not mind meeting younger kids when he was younger because their hurtful comments are unintentional; they lack awareness of what they are saying.

  • Older Children ("Big Kids"): Older peers consciously understand the meaning of their words, making encounters with them difficult and unsettling.

• Physical Shielding Mechanism:

  • August deliberately grew his hair long the previous year so that his bangs would drape over his eyes, allowing him to visually block out hurtful reactions or things he wishes not to see.

Introduction of the Student Welcome Committee

• Preparation for the Student Tour:

  • Mrs. Garcia knocks and informs Mr. Tushman: "They're here, Mr. Tushman."

  • Mr. Tushman explains to August that he arranged for a few homeroom peers to show him around the school before the official term begins.

  • August expresses resistance directly to his mother: "I don't want to meet anyone."

  • Mr. Tushman places his hands on August's shoulders, leans down, and whispers reassurance directly into his ear: "It'll be okay, August. These are nice kids, I promise."

  • Isabel whispers with intensity: "You're going to be okay, Auggie."

• Arrival of the Peers:

  • Mr. Tushman opens the office door and invites the student committee inside: "Come on in, kids."

  • Three students enter the office: two boys and one girl.

  • Initial Student Behavior: None of the three students look at August or Isabel; instead, they fix their gaze strictly on Mr. Tushman.

  • Mr. Tushman thanks them for volunteering ahead of the school year: "Thanks so much for coming, guys—especially since school doesn't start until next month! Have you had a good summer?"

  • All three students nod silently without speaking.