“You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder.” (Palacio
2012)
Wonder by R.J.
Palacio was published in 2012 by Random House Inc. It is a realistic fiction,
young adult novel about a fifth grader named August. Auggie is a normal ten
year old boy who loves Star Wars, video games, and his family. But there is one
thing about Auggie that is not so normal: he has a significant facial
deformity. Wonder is truly
remarkable.
Auggie’s family consists of himself, his mother, father,
older sister Olivia or “Via,” and his elderly dog named Daisy. Auggie’s extreme
facial deformity and health issues have restricted him from going to regular
school. He has been home schooled and is actually extremely bright. One day,
Auggie’s mother and father decide it’s time for him to begin school at Beecher
Prep just in time for his fifth grade school year. One can imagine how
unbelievably nerve wracking going to a new school can be but can you imagine
how terrifying it would be if you knew everyone would stare at you?
August understandably has a great deal of anxiety about his
face and people staring at him. Most people scream in horror when they see him.
Can you imagine? My heart breaks for him. But as he begins his first few weeks
of school, the students and faculty get used to his face and Auggie begins to
like school. One of August’s first friends is Jack Will who is a kind, honest
boy that sits next to Auggie in most of their classes. They quickly become best
friends. Another friend of Auggie’s is a beautiful girl named Summer who
randomly starts sitting with him at lunch on his first day. She feels bad for
Auggie and once she starts sitting with him at lunch she actually sees how
wonderful he is. EVERYONE sees how great August is when they stop judging him
by his face. However, August of course has an enemy also, named Julian who goes
out of his way to be cruel to Auggie about his deformity as well as any friends
of his.
The story is told from multiple points of view and each
chapter is only a page or two. Part One’s perspective is of Auggie, Part Two is
Via, Part Three is Summer, Part Four is Jack, Part Five is Justin (Via’s
boyfriend), Part Six is Auggie again, Part Seven is Miranda, and Part Eight is
Auggie. On the page for each new perspective, there is an illustration of the
character’s head with their precepts or lyrics/quotes that relate to that
person. Interestingly, August’s face changes a bit each time. It begins with
nothing on him, then for Part Six we see Auggie with what appears to be his new
hearing aids, and then in Part Eight he has his infamous space helmet on. The
different points of view show interesting twists of what each person is
thinking during the same event.
I don’t want to give away the entire story to anyone wanting
to read this book. So let me just say that the story follows August, his
family, and his group of friends through their struggles and victories this
school year. I cannot pick a favorite line from the book because I have so
many. My copy of Wonder is completely
marked up in sticky notes but I think that says something. I know it is cliché
to say, but this book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it really had an
effect on me. Wonder is sure to touch
your heart in every way.
I have an early childhood special education endorsement from
my undergraduate teacher program. I spent many summers through college working
with students with special needs of all kinds. There is a special place in my
heart for people with disabilities, special needs, and deformities. Therefore, Wonder was especially wonderful to me. I
will forever hold this book close to my heart and will someday share it with my
own children. The themes of this book are kindness,being true to oneself, and friendship. I am a strong believer that kindness and empathy alone can save
the world and Wonder is an example of that.
I saw on Amazon.com that R.J. Palacio is releasing The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story in May! I am THRILLED! He is by far the villain of the story and it really bugged me that Palacio didn't include a part on his perspective. I cannot wait to read Julian's chapter and I plan to blog and report back on how/if it has changed my view of Wonder.
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