Wonder

Wonder

Written by R.J. Palacio

316 pages
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in 2012

Realistic fiction

Wonder is a story about a boy named Auggie Pullman who was born with a facial deformity. The story begins as Auggie is about to enter middle school after being homeschooled his entire life. His fears of being ridiculed and excluded come to life as he goes to school. As he struggles, the story switches perspectives to detail the challenges also faced by his sister, his parents, and even one of his bullies. The story ends with Auggie accepting who he is and his classmates realizing that kindness is the most important characteristic a person can have. The unique thing about this story is that it is told not only from the victim's perspective but also from the bully and the victim's family members. I would use this in my classroom to show that while we often focus on the drastic struggles faced by people who are facing serious misfortunes, we forget the hardship of everyday life that other people are facing daily. This is a great message to reflect on, especially for the people who might identify as the "Auggie" in life. This book sends the message that everyone is fighting a battle, and we all need kindness, whether we are facing a chronic illness or just a tough day at school. This story opens up a plethora of opportunities for discussion in the classroom.