Wonder: The Award-Winning, Multi-Million-Copy Bestselling Phenomenon

…the universe was not kind to auggie pullman. what did that little kid ever do to deserve his sentence? Children can be so cruel. I think many of us put our school experiences behind us, it’s part of who we are as adults but it’s not an experience we will be repeating. Wonder made me think back to my school experience. I was overweight, short-sighted with uncool Deidre Barlow glasses and not the most attractive as a child/teenager so I was an easy target in jest and not in many cases. Not the happiest of times. But this is nothing compared to August Pullman’s experience. He doesn’t go to school until he’s 10/11 as throughout his childhood he’s been in and out of hospital for operations to make his Treacher Collins syndrome, a craniofacial syndrome more manageable. Wonder is his story of going to school for that first year but he’s not the only one to tell the story. I heard from his sister Via, his two best friends Jack and Summer and Via’s boyfriend Justin. All together, these are six very distinctive voices telling their version of events over Auggie’s first year at school. I have mention Via’s story. Via’s voice is so grown up and yet so innocent in many ways. Some of the things she says are so perceptive for a 14 year old – August is the Sun. Me and Mom and Dad are planets orbiting the Sun. Not only is this girl living through the changes with Auggie but she’s going through her own stuff as she returns to high school and the dynamics in her friendship groups aren’t the same – it’s not easy being a teenager at the best of time but Via is a tough girl. Listening to her tell her story and the concern for her younger brother was emotional. Auggie’s experience of school changes over his first year but one thing that remains constant is his English teacher’s monthly precepts – Mr Browne sets the precepts at the beginning of the month and at the end of the month, the class writes an essay on what it means to them. These are thought provoking in themselves and I loved the fact that you get a full list of his precepts and those of some of the students at the end of the book. We could all learn from Mr Browne. When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind Wonder is an emotional and thought provoking read. It’s a book about growing up, change, loss. It’s a story about being kind and not to take people at face value. It’s so beautifully written I wanted to savour every word. It’s not a long read at 100 pages but Palacio crams masses into these pages. This may be recommended for 9 to 11 year olds but I think it appeals to all ages. #ChooseKind

My daughters review: Wonder is the type of book that made me constantly go 'aww' and have tears welling in my eyes. It follows the story of ten year old, August, who was born with a disorder that makes him unlike everyone else. August has had to deal with people staring at his appearance ever since he could remember, whether they were in the street, at home, his sisters friends or even professionals. He's always had to hide himself away because there were people constantly doing a double take to stare at him once again. It definitely doesn't help that his parents protected him so much and homeschooled him, so he was unaware of friends and the harsh truth of everyday life. So when they make the drastic change to send August to a normal school, August feels his heart breaking with anxiety and worry. Before he knows it he is shoved into a school where there are bullies, friends and jerks. Although August finds some friends along the way, people are still not getting used to him. And August feels like he has to hide away for ever. This book was beautifully compelling. I love the structure of the book, too. It adds a definite twists to the plot of the story, as you read everyones perspectives on August and find out what everyone else is feeling compared to his usual fear of socialising. It also adds a new feel to the book when you're reading the backstory of his sister and how she is tossed aside for August as you're gradually building up on everyones view on August and how people see people. There are chapters in the perspective of friends also which allows you to understand whats going on behind August's back when he's joining this school and thinking everything is really working out for him. The plot overall, was definitely a shocker to me. I knew that August had a facial disorder which meant his appearance was altered slightly, however I never thought it involved all the heartache and uplifting that this book offers. There is a mixture of fights, truth, upset, heartache and even death at one point, which are all struggles of someone whose growing up, but even worse for someone whose different to everyone else. Its enchanting to read how August copes with it all and how strong he is when someone calls him names, and it definitely tripped my emotions whenever someone was harsh or offensive. The ending also had a great thriving feeling to it, and it made me feel really happy. All of my emotions spilled out at one point because I felt like I was emotionally connected with August. R.J Palacio has definitely worked well to build her characters. They're fleshy enough to make you grasp valid opinions as well as having enough back story and detail to make you connect with them emotionally. Also, I found that the alternating perspective also allowed you to re-evaluate the story, which as a really nice touch. Honestly, I felt very sorry for August in this book and felt like crying alongside him as well as punching everyone who had upset him and R.J Palacio has beautifully presented the feelings of bullying, insecurities as well as harsh disorders. I'd recommend this story to anyone, really. Any age, any gender. I feel like sensitive people would find the emotional connection powerful but I also feel like people who aren't connective to characters at all would still sympathise with August and all of the other characters. I feel like this book is going to go in the direction of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time because it has that same sort of feel, although being different. Absolutely loved it!

Okay... Umm, wow? It's hard to articulate my thoughts at the moment. It has been a day since I finished Wonder, and I'm still in shock at how beautiful and delicate this novel was. I haven't read a book like this since John Green's heart-breaking The Fault in Our Stars, and let me tell you now, this was right up there near that standard. I guess I should just get on with the review... Wonder isn't a complicated book at all, it is just a book about a boy... And I don't want to say: "August Pullman is not like any other boy" because that's a lie. The beautiful thing about this book, is the fact that August is completely normal. He's not extraordinary (despite contrary beliefs). Just because he has a facial deformity, doesn't mean he's part of a different race or anything..! In the short introduction, I compared this to The Fault in Our Stars, and I still stand by that comparison. Hazel is also just a normal kid, who happens to be extremely unlucky. And in the short, that's why I loved this book so much. It wasn't overly extravagant, but just a simple (and cleverly told) tale that reached out and touched my heart. Narrated by five or six characters in August's life, this book was not only gripping, but insightful and full of wit. Although the book is primarily about Auggie's life, we get to hear from a lot of the other characters he interacts with... And that's another thing I really enjoyed. Whether it be the thoughtful, pretty and charismatic Summer or the well-meaning, laid-back Jack, you can't possibly not love this cast of characters. Full of love, sadness, joy, courage, admiration and determination, Wonder makes you think (as cheesy as it sounds) that it really isn't what somebody looks like that counts. A quote that comes to mind as I write this, is one from a John Green book: "That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfast cereal based on the colour rather than the taste." And that's completely true. I love the way that this book proves that someone (like August) can be a whole lot nicer and more fun than a stuck-up and horrible 'pretty' person. I guess the final thing I want to say about this book, is that it explores us humans as a whole. RJ Palacio could have concentrated on how we are too judgmental of people before actually getting to know them, but no, she chose a different approach. Throughout the course of the novel, RJ Palacio taught me about how we have to be "kinder than necessary", and how us humans are capable of a lot more than just "kind". That's the personal message I learned from this book, and I thank her very much for that!

I really enjoyed reading this. It's very easy to read, and the short chapters mean you can read in short bursts which is especially handy if you're very busy. It's funny, sad, uplifting and insightful and I would have thought great for teenagers. I liked the precepts and the quotes which began each person's point of view. My favourite is 'always try to be a little kinder than is necessary'. The book is split into different characters' points of view, which reminded me a little of 'Girl on a Train', except that there wasn't a 'climax' that the separate parts were building up to. It was more like fitting together a jigsaw puzzle. Some seem to think it's boring, especially the ending. I wouldn't say it's boring. I think these days we're always looking for a wow factor in a book. This book is meant to make us think (and wonder!). However, I did find the ending somewhat over-sentimental and a bit cheesy, not to mention a little rushed. It's worth remembering that this isn't a true story but it is meant to remind us that there are many 'Auggies' in the world and attempts to help us understand what life is like for them and how actually it can bring out the best in people. It is obviously hard to write this as an adult - not just to empathise but to write as a child. To me, mum and dad came over as amazing parents. I can't imagine how hard it must be to support a child like Auggie but I know there are some brilliant carers out there who surround their child with so much love and care, finding inner strength and characteristics that they might not have otherwise thought possible, which -as in the book - enable them to rise above all the hardships they face. The film, no doubt, will use some licence - as in Auggie wearing his helmet on his first day at school. I suspect it may err on the side of being too sentimental. Hopefully not. Finally I am very grateful to the person who runs a book club for telling me about this book. I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise. And I am looking forward to getting hold of 'Auggie and Me'.

"I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives," says August Pullman, the main character in Wonder, and RJ Palacio certainly deserves hers for this bittersweet but ultimately uplifting novel about a severely disfigured boy. Wonder appears to be aimed at kids of perhaps ten upwards, but it's an equally engaging and moving read for an adult and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We all know that starting a new school at all is hard enough as it is, but things are doubly difficult for Auggie, whose facial disfigurement is so significant that he is fully accustomed to people visibly recoiling when they meet him for the first time, even if they think they're hiding their reaction. As we follow him through his first year, Auggie is self-deprecating, quietly determined and, like most children of his age, an amusing and sometimes poignant mix of naive and astute. It's impossible not to root for him. However, a major strength of wonder is the introduction of perspectives other than Auggie's in the narrative. Wonder is among other things a book about how we perceive others, so it's only fitting that we hear not just from Auggie himself but from those around him. The sections narrated by Auggie's teenage sister Olivia, who is fiercely protective of her younger brother and yet at the same time acutely aware that his unique needs mean she will always play second fiddle, are particularly enlightening, but every voice struck me as vivid and authentic. The toughest challenges Auggie has to overcome are related to his appearance, of course - but anyone who can remember being eleven will be familiar with typical anxieties like their first overnight school trip, mysteriously shifting social cliques and peer pressure to grow up too soon, and there is much in Wonder that any reader can identify with. If I have a criticism of Wonder it's that there are times when Auggie's parents seem a little too understanding, a little too indulgent, even, to be true, and I would have liked to see a little more complexity in their characters. It's also fair to say that Wonder isn't particularly plot-driven. But it's a lovely, oddly life-affirming read that reminds us of some simple but vital truths, good and bad, about human nature, and although there a couple of heartbreaking chapters, I'd defy anyone not to finish this book smiling.

This is definitely a book that everyone should read - old or young, reader or non, Wonder will make you see the world in a whole new light. This book is full of wonderful relationships and certainly packs an emotional punch. Before you even start the story you know that this little boy will face many challenges in life because of his condition, but as we go through the motions with him, it is a hard read. We get to see Auggie at his lowest point, and also at the high points along the way - the author does well to balance the story with enough reality to get the point across, but lighten the load with elements of laughter and heartwarming moments. The relationships within this story are incredible and I really enjoyed seeing them change as the story progressed. The multiple viewpoint element was great and really helped to see how this boys condition affected others around him, as well as himself. The raw moments were exactly that, raw and honest. I think this was needed with a story like this and actually, it made the happier moments even nicer because we had seen the journey to get there. Great, evocative writing with wonderful character development throughout. The pace was just right to keep me turning the pages and when I reached the end, I could have kept reading about Auggie and his friends. A wonderfully perceptive and honest story that is a must read for everyone!

I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter, and she quickly devoured it. I asked her to write her own uncensored review so here it is: When I first picked up this book I didn't know what to expect. The blurb didn't give a lot of information about what was inside the book. The cover of the book was irrelevant to what happened in the book but it was a nice touch and it gave you a picture in your head of what August might have looked like. When I started reading it I couldn't put it down and I finished the book in about a week. August has a face that you could never imagine in your life. It is the type of face that you just want to scream and run away but your eyes are fixed to him, never looking away. But he realizes that he has to face his fears of going to school (as he has been home-schooled most of his life until now). A world that has never see a face like his. This book is a moving and serious book but has a loving feeling when you read it and when you do read it, it will make you think (which is a good thing) about people who have disabilities and how they must feel about going out in public and how they feel when we look and stare and what they must feel like inside. It is a truly heart-warming book that has something for everybody. There's adventure, romance and lots more. I think that this book is for children and some adults. Wonder is just an awesome book and I loved every word, page, chapter, I loved it all. I can see that the book will be read for many years and that people will never get bored of it. I think that it is a stunning book and I would certainly recommend it to all. Written by Charlie brush aged 10 xxx

Excellent service and excellent quality

英語中級者の自分は最初は読めるか心配でしたが、短めで淡々と進む文章は波に乗って読み進めることができました。とてもいい読解の勉強になりました。最後はちゃんとストーリーに感動しました。

Esse livro é muito bom!!

Tutto ok. É il libro che cercavo.

What a wonderful story ! August, Via, their parents, Jack Will, Summer, Charlotte ... they all are such inspiring characters ! I love how this is not a melancholic and boring book but a story about emotion, courage and bravery ! All the point of view are so rich and interesting... I learned about courage and right of feeling bad how expressing it is not complaining ! You have to read it no matter what age, sex or race you are ! Thank you RJ Palacio ! " You can't blend in when your were bien to stand out "

I recently got the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio for my 10-year-old, and it has been an incredible read for both of us. This beautifully written novel offers a powerful and moving story that is perfect for young readers and adults alike. Engaging and Relatable Characters: The book centers around August Pullman, a young boy with a facial difference who starts attending a mainstream school for the first time. The characters in Wonder are incredibly well-developed and relatable. Auggie’s journey, as well as the perspectives of his friends and family, are portrayed with great empathy and realism. My child found it easy to connect with the characters and became deeply invested in their stories. Important Themes and Lessons: Wonder tackles important themes such as kindness, acceptance, and the challenges of being different. It encourages readers to look beyond appearances and to understand the importance of empathy and compassion. The story beautifully illustrates the impact of both kindness and cruelty, making it a valuable lesson for children as they navigate social interactions. Appropriate for Young Readers: The language and style of writing are accessible and appropriate for a 10-year-old reader. The book is engaging and easy to follow, making it a great choice for young readers who are starting to explore more complex themes. It’s a perfect balance of being thought-provoking without being too overwhelming for children. Positive Message: The overall message of the book is incredibly positive and uplifting. It encourages readers to “choose kind” and to celebrate differences. The narrative is touching and often heartwarming, making it a feel-good read that leaves a lasting impression. Encourages Discussion: Wonder is also a great book for sparking discussions about empathy, bullying, and the importance of kindness. It provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to talk about these topics and to reflect on their own behaviors and attitudes. Conclusion: Overall, Wonder by R.J. Palacio is an exceptional book that I highly recommend for children and adults alike. It’s a beautifully crafted story that teaches valuable life lessons and promotes a message of kindness and acceptance. My 10-year-old thoroughly enjoyed it and found it both touching and inspiring. It’s a book that every child should read, as it fosters understanding and compassion in a way that is both engaging and accessible. A truly wonderful read!