“I know I’m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid.”

From R. J. Palacio’s Wonder.

August (Auggie) Pullman is little kid whose face often makes him a social outcast, even though he’s just a normal kid that loves outer space, his family, and all things Star Wars.  Born with a genetic defect that has required many surgeries over his young life, Auggie has been homeschooled by his mother and even spent several years wearing an astronaut’s helmet when out in public.  Since he’ll be going into 5th Grade, Auggie’s parents  have decided it’s time for Auggie to go to regular school.  He is introduced to a few children to help make his transition to school easier; Jack, Charlotte, and Julian.  Auggie excels in his classes, gets used to the new lifestyle, makes friends with Jack and a girl named Summer, and ignores that the entire school refuses to touch him.  Things go well for a while, but a very painful situation isolates Auggie at school and life becomes that much more complicated.  Auggie (and those in his life) will have to learn what it means to be strong and kind when everyone else is the exact opposite.

Palacio’s story is a wonderful one that can connect with readers of all ages and backgrounds.  It has a simple message that is developed through a complex story.  As we watch Auggie’s story unfold, we also get to see how his story is enhanced through the people in his life; while Auggie is the main narrator in the book, different characters take turns sharing their point of view, both retellings of past and new events. Each character has a different writing style which adds to their uniqueness, however Justin’s chapters are a bit difficult to follow.  Wonder is a captivating and moving story from start to finish; definitely not a book to be missed!