Wonder by R J Palacio

A new addition to the school library is R J Palacio's bestseller Wonder. It tells the story of August Pullman, known as Auggie, as he struggles with his first year at a mainstream school. Auggie was born with a facial deformity and therefore he needed a lot of care that involved frequent (long) trips to the hospital. But now that he's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie is scared because he knows that it's going to be difficult being the new kid in school, especially because of the way that he looks. But despite appearances, Auggie is a normal boy, just like his classmates. Will this make it any easier?

What others have said of Wonder:

"A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder."
Kirkus Reviews

"Wonder's story unfolds through a series of point-of-view jumps, beginning in Auggie's head, then shifting to his sister, his friends, his sister's friends, and then back to him. It is through this device that Palacio manages to produce a story of intense action and intense introspection, a series of interiorized monologues that show the frailties and foibles behind each of Auggie's trials and hurts... it's a beautifully told lesson in empathy that requires that the reader find sympathy for each of the principle actors in the story."

Cory Doctorow, BoingBoing

 "Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Everyone grows and develops as the story progresses, especially the middle school students. This is a fast read and would be a great discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance. A well-written, thought-provoking book."

School Library Journal

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