Wonder by R.J. Palacio
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels
Publisher: Corgi Children's
Publish date: January 3rd 2013
Pages: 315
Wonder is one of those books that you stay up late into the night just to finish, then stay up the rest of the night thinking about. I have read a lot of books about real situations. Heck, if it came down to it, I could recite them by heart. But Wonder, is quite honestly one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking, life-affirming books that I have ever had the pleasure to read. From page onwards, I have laughed, cried, gasped and rooted for Auggie, who is possibly one of my favourite fictional characters. Ever.
If you don't know what Wonder is about. It's about August Pullman, who was born with a birth defect that causes facial abnormalities (or facial anomalies). Auggie is just a normal kid. He has an Xbox, he wants friends, and he argues with his sister, Via, who he shares a very close bond with. Auggie has spent his whole life trying to blend into the background, but some people are just made to stand out, stars amongst rocks. And August is a shining example of this.
"You can't blend in when you were born to stand out."
I love this quote, so so so much. It just seems to set the tone for the whole book. Wonder is one of those rare books that make you sit back and reevaluate yourself as a person. It makes you think: have I ever stared like this? Do I do or say unkind things without realising? August's personality seems to just shine through perfectly. He's just a normal kid, really. One who happens to have facial deformities. Though he doesn't like to call them that.
Auggie has lived a pretty sheltered life. Being home-schooled by his Mum, until he reaches middle school ages and his Mum decides he might want to go to school. August is reluctant at first. He knows kids will stare, and say horrible things. And they do, at first. In that way kids do. Wonder is a brutally honest story about fitting in when you're different, bullying, and the effects of being the friends and relatives of a child with a genetic condition.
This book has touched on areas I didn't even know I possess. It sparked emotions in me, and made me want to become a better person. Auggies story, and all the people involved has touched me deeply, and it is one who will stay with me forever.
Amazon/Goodreads rating: 5*
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