Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Realistic Fiction; 315 pages
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?
Sam’s review:
August Pullman, Auggie, has been home-schooled until the fifth grade for a good reason. Born with a rare combination of genetic abnormalities resulting in a severely disfigured face, Auggie’s life has been a series of surgeries and being sheltered by his loving family. His parents use humor to lift his spirits, and Auggie has caught their good-natured ability to roll with the ups and downs that come with having a face that other people cannot look at without gasping. In the beginning of the book, Auggie is horrified about attending 5th grade at Beecher Prep Middle School, and with good reason. When he arrives there, he is tormented even by the “friends” enlisted by the principal to help his adjustment. The point of view starts and ends with Auggie, but in the middle, the reader gets the perspective of a variety of other characters: Auggie’s sister Via; Auggie’s one true friend, Summer; Auggie’s fence-sitting friend, Jack; an enemy, Justin; and a childhood friend, Miranda. The author uses these voices to effectively tell Auggie’s story. Auggie’s face is ugly to others who look at him, but their behavior becomes uglier as they ostracize him for something he has no control over. The book builds to a dramatic climax with an unexpected turn that is both satisfying and believable. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to come to terms with the consequences of using “different” as a reason to exclude.