Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
“[Everyone] should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world.”
I loved this book and truly related to it. Auggie is a young boy who has a facial deformity from his birth and many surgeries. He has been homeschooled most his life but his parents know he needs to go to school to meet other children and start socializing with the outside world. This, of course, is challenging for any child but for one with such a difference to his peers, makes life a bit difficult for Auggie.
Although not as difficult, growing up without my right hand made me feel and experience many of these same situations Auggie goes through. But through other point if views from main characters, (friends and family), it also made me see others’ perspectives and how others may perceive and handle what is different. That they may also be going through their own struggles or feeling different and just need more time to understand.
The overall theme of being kind and that each individual needs some kindness shown was so poignant. It’s a quick read since it was written for a younger age group, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated that these children were already feeling such complex emotions and navigating the difficulties of life. It’s true that this can happen at such a young age and important to remember how impressionable our childrens’ minds are. It was wholesome and also gives me hope for our future generations that they can be more understanding and accepting of those they deem different.
Synopsis: 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, 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.