One of the best books Ive ever read. August Pullman, born with facial differences, enters public school for the first time, teaching his classmates and community about acceptance and resilience. Through multiple perspectives, readers learn about compassion and the challenges of fitting in. August’s journey inspired me to always choose kindness. ( )

Grade: 4+

This is a heartwarming story about a young boy called Auggie! Auggie was born with a facial deformity. When Auggie goes to public school for the first time and runs into many challenges. There are themes of kindness, acceptance, and courage from this story.
This is a great book for later elementary/early middle school
I would use this in my classroom when teaching about empathy. ( )

This book is about August “Auggie” Pullman, a 10 year old boy with a facial deformity caused by a genetic condition. Auggie has always been homeschooled, but this book begins as he starts his first year at a “normal” school. This book is told through multiple perspectives as we follow Auggie as he navigates school, fitting in, friendship, and family relationships. This book is so amazing and would reccomend it to any grades 5-7. This book creates empathy and shows what being a true friend should look like. I would use this in my classroom when learning about empathy, friendship, and disabilities. ( )

Wonder tells the inspiring story of August Pullman, a young boy born with a facial deformity who navigates the challenges of starting middle school. Despite his differences, Auggie’s story is one of courage, friendship, and acceptance as he faces bullying, self-doubt, and the complex dynamics of fitting in. Told from multiple perspectives, the book shows how Auggie’s presence impacts his classmates, friends, and family, teaching valuable lessons about kindness, empathy, and the importance of not judging others based on their appearances.

Wonder is a powerful book for middle school students, offering opportunities for deep discussions about kindness, bullying, and acceptance. It aligns well with TEKS such as ELA.6.9 (analyzing the impact of an author’s choices) and SOC.5.7 (discussing how cultural and social influences shape individuals’ perspectives). The book can also be used to promote character education and empathy-building in the classroom, helping students develop a more inclusive and accepting attitude toward others. ( )

4-5, Level 5

This book follows the life of Auggie, a boy born with facial deformities, as he starts middle school at Beecher Prep. He has to adapt to the bullying from his classmates and the importance of being kind. The book is written from many characters' perspectives, including Via, Auggie's sister, and Jack, Auggie's best friend. This book is great for fourth grade and up. I would love to use this as a class read-aloud because of its messages that applies to all students. It's also a book that everyone can enjoy because of how relatable the characters are. ( )

This book is from the perspectives of Auggie and the people in his life. They share what it is like to have Auggie around but also how Auggie feels and adjusts to going to a school. This book is for 5th-8th grade and could be used in a classroom to approach how students should talk to people around them if they look a little different

It is well written and kept my interest, but that is pretty much all it did. ( )

This book is about a 10-year-old boy named August who has a facial deformity. He goes to school for the first time and grapples with the challenges of being amongst other 'normal' middle schoolers. The book is written from multiple perspectives and is heartwarming about overcoming challenges and being authentically yourself. This book would be good for upper grades: 4th or 5th. This could be used in the classroom as a read aloud with class discussion about the novel or as a book recommended for students to read on their own.

Lexile 790L (Grades 4-6)
Goodreads Choice Award

Really liked the storytelling through different perspectives over the same span of time. I think for youth itd be great for discussion on empathy and true friendship. Its told and made up through an adult's eyes though. Also none of the cute little cartoon faces of Auggie bother to represent him as described.

So... Its been a month or so and this review still bothers me. Its... just not authentic. Read some reviews from own voices and I think they say it better than me.

1-Why Im not hurrying to see the film.
https://medium.com/@laurenberman17/film-review-wonder-2017-c6f7b08f7aba

2- How the story fails to truly represent a disability.
https://disabilityinkidlit.com/2018/01/19/review-wonder-by-r-j-palacio/

Something worth saying is that for a superficial/quick read it does show a little about emphathy.

One thing I loved is reading the Author's inspiration. The scene in the book at a park when a small child sees Augie and starts to freak out. The babysitter? hurried away with the child is based on a real experience where she acted as the babysitter/mom had. This moment helps Jack Will and maybe his family (plot details getting fuzzy) start to see the world through Auggie's perspective. Maybe this book isnt great at representing disability or embracing this part of Auggie's identity but at least it pushes you to think in his perspective.

*Trigger warning: A dog dies. See I avoid books with dogs on the cover since Im afraid that will happen in the story and therefore will end up ugly crying. This snuck by me. So... I ugly cried. Gah. ( )

#1 New York Times bestseller junior library guild selection multiple state awards. ( )

This book pulls at the heart strings. It helps children understand that there are people in the world that are different and they should be treated nicely.

Independent Reading Level: 3rd-5th Grade
Awards: Maine Student Book Award (2014)
Vermont's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (2014)
Mark Twain Award (2015)
Hawaii's Nene Award (2015)
Junior Young Reader's Choice Award (2015)

Mark Twain Readers Award (2015)
Hawaii's Nene Award (2015)
Young Hoosier Book Award (2015)
Junior Young Reader's Choice Award (2015)
Bluestem Award (Illinois, 2014)
Caudill Award (Illinois, 2014)

This book follows the life of Auggie, a boy born with facial deformities, as he starts middle school at Beecher Prep. He has to adapt to the bullying from his classmates and the importance of being kind. The book is written from many characters' perspectives, including Via, Auggie's sister, and Jack, Auggie's best friend. This book is great for fourth grade and up. I would love to use this as a class read-aloud because of its messages that applies to all students. It's also a book that everyone can enjoy because of how relatable the characters are. ( )

A very moving and lovely story. It's about tough topics - but it's a warm fuzzy story. I loved that it was safe to have the audio going in the car with my whole family - and the story was good enough and had a great message that I really loved sharing it with them.

I just loved every adult in this book! Which is really unusual for a YA novel. And I loved seeing them (and their humor and love) through the eyes of children.

a powerful read ( )

Very nice. I’ve read this book about 3 times, maybe more, i dont remember, but i did enjoy it! ( )

12/21/2019
I was re-reading this book to see if I still wanted to keep it on my bookshelf. I have limited shelf estate! And you know what? Even though it is simple and does aim for plain old heart-pulling string scenarios, I really like it. Palacio in particular has a way with writing dialogue that I wish I had. It's a cute book— nothing revolutionary like the media a few years back was trying to hype up, but a cute feel-good story nonetheless. ( )

Holy tear-jerkeroly Batman! Excellent appeal for both boys and girls. ( )

Independent Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Awards/Honors: ALA Notable Children's Book, Mark Twain Award

Beautiful. Reminded me of Totally Joe with it's examination of acceptance and kindness. And, like Totally Joe's family, Augie's family is my favorite part. ( )

3.5 Stars

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a well written and engaging novel and while its predominately a children’s book it certainly is getting read by lots of adults who find it moving and heart-warming.

Recommended to me by a friend who told me it was an emotional and yet uplifting novel and as a parent would have me reaching for the tissues.

The story is about a ten year old boy called August. This marvellous character is smart, funny and courageous. Auggie(known to his family and friends) has a facial abnormality, caused by a mutant gene, which has resulted in him having 27 operations.
Various viewpoints are explored as the book progresses, including Auggie himself, his sister Via and his friends Jack and Summer. We quickly learn the effects of Auggie's disfigurement on his life and the lives of everyone around him.

The opening line in the book very quickly engages the reader " I know I am not an ordinary ten year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice-creams, I ride my bike and I play ball.
By the end of the first page he tells us " My name is August, by the way. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you are thinking, it’s probably worse.

This is not a sad book (although I did shed a tear around page 60) but more an uplifting story and August will certainly stay with you after you finish this Novel.

I think this would make a great book for studying in schools as there so much that children would love about this story and a great moral message at the heart of the story. ( )

Copied from my comment in the group 'Great Middle Grade Reads.'

I agree that it would have been helpful to see Julian's POV. I guess we get a clue when we learn about his mother, though. What a piece of work she is. Maybe Julian will escape her influence later, but he can't really learn & grow to be a better person while still her little boy.

I loved the book for all the reasons you-all did, but I have one particular problem. Is is plausible that the 10-11 year-old kids would be so insightful, so articulate about their feelings and those of their family and friends? They seem awfully sophisticated/ wise to me....

I do like how Auggie, at the end, says surviving 5th grade is an accomplishment for anyone. I, personally, think that Jack Will, or maybe Summer, should have gotten that award. Maybe even the two Maxes - I really wanted to get to know them better.

I liked that it took place in the city - not so much about backyards, malls, cars and bicycles, but more about walking to little shops and taking the subway to further places.
.....................
Years later I'm reminded of this again, and I still remember thinking that it was too corny, too cliched, to give Auggie the award. Also I note that Julian has his own story... does he show signs of growing free of his mother's influences in that? Also I don't actually remember anything that I did like about it. ( )