The last part of the book is filled with love, pain, courage and growth. We start out by finding out that August and his class are going on a field trip that last 3 days and 2 nights. Unlike most of the students, August has never stayed away from home expect in a hospital. He is nervous yet excited. We start to see growth from August at the very beginning of this part of the book with a act of love he does for his mother. August was going to secretly bring his bear that he slept with when he was scared with him, but decided to leave it for his mother with a note telling her she can sleep with it when she misses him. I though this was a very sweet, kindhearted gesture that August did for his mother.
The beginning of the trip was very fun for August. He was really enjoying himself and was very happy. That all changed the night of the movie. August and Jack ran into some older kids from another school that reacted very cruelly to August. The sad thing is, this is a reality for August. The students at his school were used to him now, but there is always another world of people outside of the walls of the familiar. A world that people aren't used to you and that can be cruel. The other students said some terrible things and physically attacked the boys. During the fight, Amos, Miles and Henry stepped in to defend August and Jack. This came as a shock to August since these boys had not been that kind to him throughout the year. August was left with a bloody elbow and missing hearing aids, but he was also left with knowing what it felt like to have friends stand up for him.
Later in Part 8 we find out what happened to the astronaut helmet that August used to wear at all times, his dad threw it away. I really liked this part between August and his dad. The dad didn't get much story in the book, but he was portrayed as very kind and loving. He told August he took the helmet because he did not want August to cover his face, it made him sad. August was upset at first that his father took the helmet, but he understood and I think this brought the two closer. It was a nice moment between the two.
The book ends with a very touching graduation. The principal gives a very moving speech about the importance of kindness. 
After the principal's speech it was time for the awards. The typical awards were given out, then a very special award was given to August. It was an award for having great strength and courage. An award for being an amazing human being. As August walked on the stage to get the award the crowd all stood in applause, August got his standing ovation. This was a very magical ending to a wonderful book.
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