Wonder

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio

Palacio, R. J.. Wonder. Performed by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.


August (Auggie) Pullman is a young boy who was born with a facial deformity.  He has been home-schooled his entire life, until now.  He is entering the 5th grade and his parents feel it is time for him to experience public school. He struggles to make friends and get through the school year. 


This is a heartwarming story about life, friendship, bravery, and the beauty that comes with kindness.  Palacio breaks the book up into several parts and each part is told from the point of view of one of the characters.  The different performers and readers bring the characters to life.  Palacio  shows what it is like to be a 5th grader with a facial deformity.  His words not only bring out the cruelty and criticism of others but also the warmth and kindness that each of the characters bring out as well.  This book is beautifully written and will make you cry.

“Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community.” -- Booklist, starred review

"Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters...A well-written, thought-provoking book." -- School Library journal, starred review

“A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder.” -- Kirkus, starred review

“Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes--and hearts--to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd.” -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Awards and honors:
#1 New York Times bestseller
A School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012
A Publishers Weekly Best of Children's Books 2012
A Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012
A Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012