Wonder by R.J Palacio
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: 1st March 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Children’s, Middle-grade, Adult, Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 5/5 stars
Source: Received from the publisher for review
Summary:
"Wonder is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. 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, underneath it all? Through the voices of Auggie, his big sister Via, and his new friends Jack and Summer, "Wonder" follows Auggie's journey through his first year at Beecher Prep. Frank, powerful, warm and often heart-breaking, "Wonder" is a book you'll read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page."
Review
I’d only read a few pages of Wonder when I realised that it was going to be one of *those* books, one of those rare and wonderful books that can make you both laugh and cry on the same page, that you read with a lump in your throat and a smile on your face, that as soon as you finish reading you eagerly pass on to somebody else just so you have someone to discuss it with. Yes Wonder is one of *those* books.
What I love about Wonder is how simple it is. This is a book about a ten-year-old boy whose face is deformed. And that’s it. There’s no huge complex plot, no far away land, magic, or fantasy creatures. This book doesn’t need any of that stuff to hook the reader, August’s voice is enough.
Auggie believes that he is just an ordinary ten-year-old kid but that’s the one thing I’d have to disagree with him on. But Auggie’s face isn’t what makes him different it’s his huge, brave, heart and big personality. Auggie is the kind of character who touches your heart and who you fiercely want to protect and want the best for. He’s such a special little guy who I think we could all learn a thing or two from.
Wonder is full of fleshed out and vibrant characters and although the majority of the book is told from August’s perspective the book is also told from several other characters point of view. Each protagonist has a unique outlook on Auggie and tells their story and how having August in their life has affected them in both good and bad ways. Before reading this book I’d never given much thought on what it would be like to know someone like August and the bullying a friend might go through for hanging out with him, or how a sibling might constantly come second to a little brother who has much greater needs than a normal child. This book is a real eye opener not only to what it might be like to be in Auggie’s shoes but also for what it’s like for those who know and love him.
R.J Palacio is such a talented writer. Not only has she created such warm and likeable characters but she writes with such honesty as well. Whilst this book is definitely sad in parts Auggie is such an inspiring, happy go lucky, funny kid and at times he’s simply a ten-year-old boy observing the world around him. Yes this book made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud too.
Wonder is a book for everybody young or old. It’s an important and special book to be shared and discussed by both adults and children. This book makes you want to be a kinder person and I can’t help but feel that if everyone were to read it the world would be a nicer place. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year and I would whole heartedly recommend it to absolutely anybody.
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