Wonder, by R.J. Palacio
"My name is August, by the way. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
Might I begin by saying that I discovered Wonder through a summer reading assignment that I had to complete for my English class. I first cracked the book open with no small amount of skepticism, but my apprehension quickly faded, replaced by a sense of inspiration. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished--my eyes and fingers practically glued to the pages. Wonder made me laugh, cry, and internally scream as I walked with August through his highs and lows, through his trials, and through his times of untamed joy. Wonder is a book for all ages, and one that should be oneveryone's reading list.
Review by Marleigh Thorn
"My name is August, by the way. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
Might I begin by saying that I discovered Wonder through a summer reading assignment that I had to complete for my English class. I first cracked the book open with no small amount of skepticism, but my apprehension quickly faded, replaced by a sense of inspiration. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished--my eyes and fingers practically glued to the pages. Wonder made me laugh, cry, and internally scream as I walked with August through his highs and lows, through his trials, and through his times of untamed joy. Wonder is a book for all ages, and one that should be oneveryone's reading list.
Review by Marleigh Thorn