Contents
The Auggie Doll
Overview
Bullying intensifies in February with Julian’s notes and pranks on Jack, but resistance grows. By March, Julian’s “hit man” rumor backfires, Amos steps in, and most boys abandon Julian. August feels growing acceptance, highlighted by Maya’s kindness, and classmates react positively to his new hearing aids.
Summary
February brings the height of the “war.” Julian leaves taunting locker notes for Jack and cruel ones for August. Summer urges reporting them to Ms. Rubin or Mr. Tushman, but August and Jack avoid “snitching” and reply with sarcastic “Beulah” love notes aimed at Julian.
Julian, Miles, and Henry target Jack with pranks, stealing gym shorts and crumpling his work during a day with a substitute teacher. Jack hides his frustration and doesn’t give them the reaction they want.
By March, classmates tire of the conflict. When Julian tries dumping pencil shavings into Jack’s backpack, Amos intervenes and returns it to Jack, signaling a shift as many boys stop backing Julian.
Julian then spreads a rumor that Jack hired a “hit man” to go after him, Miles, and Henry. The lie is mocked, and remaining supporters drift to neutral. By month’s end, only Miles and Henry openly side with Julian.
Meanwhile, August notices social changes: the Plague game seems over, kids no longer recoil from touching him, and they even borrow his pencils normally. A playful joke with Maya about Uglydolls leads to shared laughter and a kind gift, affirming warmer peer responses.
The chapter closes with August noting that classmates are also supportive of his new hearing aids, reinforcing that acceptance at school is growing.
Who Appears
- August PullmanNarrator; endures notes, sees bullying fade, gains acceptance, jokes with Maya, and notes support for his hearing aids.
- Jack WillTarget of Julian’s pranks; stays composed; benefits when peers, notably Amos, begin rejecting the bullying.
- Julian AlbansLeads bullying with notes, pranks, and a false “hit man” rumor that backfires and costs him support.
- AmosBreaks ranks by stopping a prank, returning Jack’s backpack, signaling shifting loyalties.
- MilesAssists Julian’s pranks; remains one of the last to side with Julian.
- Henry JoplinAllied with Julian and Miles; participates in the bullying, later among the last still loyal.
- Summer DawsonAdvises reporting the notes but respects August and Jack’s choice; remains supportive.
- MayaResponds warmly to August’s Uglydoll joke and leaves him a kind keychain note.
- Ms. RubinMiddle-school dean whom Summer suggests telling about the bullying notes.
- Mr. TushmanPrincipal figure considered for reporting the locker-note harassment.
- Ms. PetosaAbsent when a prank occurs; her presence would likely have prevented it.