Wonder by R.J Palacio

I have just read my favourite book of 2012 and it's called Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  Wonder is a story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman and his trials and tribulations of going to school for the first time after being home-schooled K through 4.  Auggie is a regular happy kid in many ways. He loves Star Wars, his dog Daisy and his family.  He is nervous about going to school and wonders if he should just stay home.  Auggie has a syndrome known as mandibulofacial dysostosis which means due to a mutant gene he was born with facial abnormalities.  He has had 27 operations in his short life and likely will have more.  

 

Wonder takes us through Auggie’s Grade 5 year at Beecher Prep School.  Auggie is a lovable character you will not soon forget.  Wonder is told from Auggie’s perspective for the most part, but also through the eyes of his sister, and his friends.  In reading Wonder, I experienced all the emotions a great book allows including crying, laughing out loud, pure joy and great sadness.  I was inspired by Auggie and his family and truly believe in this quote from Auggie’s mom. 

            “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.” (p. 279 Palacio c.2012.)

 

I would recommend Wonder to students in Gr. 6 and above. It’s a great book for youth and adults and is beautifully written by first time novelist R.J. Palacio.  Thank you Mr. Rosenau for introducing me to this wonderful book.  I have now purchased a copy for our library and look forward to sharing this great novel with all of you.