Wonder ​by R.J.

Palacio​ is one of those rare books that makes you want to hug everyone
in it so tightly that they’ll have no doubt about how much you love them…and beyond
that, it also makes you want to reach out and hug the whole world. It’s an upbeat,
humorous, life-affirming story that deserves to be read—and it’s one that may just
change its readers, too.

If you remember how terrifying it was to be a kid on a day to day basis, you’ll
appreciate August’s story. 10-year-old Auggie is going to school for the first time in
his life, and he has to navigate new rules, learn to interact with teachers, and figure
out how to make new friends. In addition, he also has a severe facial deformity that
stops strangers in their tracks, so all the usual perils of the fifth grade take on even
more heightened stakes.

T​his story about growing up is full of heart and humor, and written with a clear-eyed
intelligence that never descends into cynicism. Auggie’s smart, funny personality will
win over readers who will agonize with him over the complicated web of friendships
and family even as they cheer for him as he learns some of life’s big and scary lessons.

It’s okay, I know I’m weird-looking, take a look, I don’t bite. Hey, the truth is, if a wookie
started going to school all of a sudden, I’d be curious, I’d probably stare a bit! And if I was
walking with Jack or Summer, I’d probably whisper to them: Hey, there’s the wookie. And
if the wookie caught me saying that, he’d know I wasn’t trying to be mean. I was just
pointing out the fact that he’s a wookie.

Even with a positive attitude and smart, loving parents, however, Auggie’s story is not
an easy one to read, and my emotions ran wildly from sadness to hilarity to terrible
anger at what happens to him. Not all kids are nice. Some kids behave one way in front
of adults and another way in front of kids. Some adults are downright cruel. And just
when you think life can’t possibly get any harder or more challenging, sometimes it
does.

Although the book is primarily told from Auggie’s perspective, it was a surprise to me
when it switched to a few other points of view. With a total of six different voices, I
would normally say this is far too many, but in this particular case every person
offered an insight into August’s beautiful personality and amazing life in a way that
would be impossible to otherwise know. Reading about Auggie’s 27 surgeries,
rejoicing at his vibrant inner life, hurting for him when he felt lonely or
misunderstood, and seeing his life from various different perspectives, it’s impossible
not to be moved by his story. And how can you not love a boy who understands that
sometimes his mom might need his precious teddy bear more than he does?

Tears were streaming down my face as I finished this book—and the funny thing is,
they were primarily tears of joy. W
​ onder​ went the extra mile to be an uplifting story
that made me want to embrace life and the people in it, too. I also very much
appreciate that this middle grade book is written for its intended age group, not just a
book for adults in the guise of a children’s book, even though it’s certainly one that
can be enjoyed by readers of any age.

“There are always going to be jerks in the world, Auggie,” she said, looking at me. “But I
really believe, and Daddy really believes, that there are more good people on this earth
than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each
other.”

A story like this comes along just a few times in a lifetime, and I really hope that
readers will find their way to it. This short book that doesn’t waste a single page in
squeezing your emotions so tightly you feel like you can't breathe, but when they're
finally released, you may find that your heart is full of even more empathy,
compassion, and love than you thought possible. We expect to be surprised by cruelty,
but how wonderful it is to also be surprised by kindness.
Wow, what a wonderful book! I don't read a lot of realistic middle grade fiction. I tend
to gravitate toward fantasy. But ​Wonder​ by R.J. Palacio is probably the best realistic
fiction book I have ever read!

The main character August (Auggie) Pullman is a ten-year-old boy with severe facial
abnormalities. Little kids scream when they see him. Older kids make fun of him and
call him a freak. Auggie is home-schooled through fourth grade, but for middle school
his parents decide to send him to a private school, Beecher Prep, in New York City.
Wonder is the story of his fifth grade year, told partly from Auggie's perspective, and
partly from the other kids in his life, his family members and friends. Each narrator
has a distinct, completely believable voice. Palacio writes with just the right balance of
humor and sincerity, making each character both flawed and sympathetic. She "gets"
kids -- how they think, how they talk, how they have the capacity to be both horribly
mean and incredibly brave and kind.

I recognize these characters from my years as a student in middle school, and I'm sure
young readers will recognize them too. The book rings with authenticity. The short
chapters and shifting narrative make this a quick, easy read. It's a feel-good book with
a great message, and the ending is a tearjerker in the best possible way. I'd
recommend it without hesitation to most middle grade readers, girls or boys, even
those who may not normally pick up realistic fiction.