Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Published: February 14th, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-375-86902-0

Hardcover: 310 pages

FTC FYI: Borrowed from the libray

Goodreads Summary:  

"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

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?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels."

My Review

I read this book for Book Club in August.  I honestly was hesitant to read it.  I had to ask my friend Marnie many times if it was painful to read.  I was worried that August would be beat up a lot, or constantly tormented by the kids at school, I was wrong.  There was teasing, and surprise looks by those seeing Auggie for the first time.  This was a wonder from start to finish.  It should be required reading for preteens, and teens, just so they are aware of what even the slightest action can do.   Auggie, Mom, and Dad, Via (his sister), Jack, Summer, even Daisy the dog were a delight.  I cried many times, but not from pity for August.  I was happy for him.  The ending, wow, get your kleenex.  Of course, any book with as many Star Wars references as this had, I was an instant fan.

I had many favorite lines from the book, but this was my favorite.  Every month Auggie's English teacher gave the kids a precept to write about.  October's was "Your Deeds are Your Monuments".  This was Auggie's reply.

This precept means that we should be remembered for the things we do.  The things we do are the most important things of all.  They are more important than what we say or what we look like.  The things we do outlast our mortality.  The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died.  They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the pharaohs.  Only instead of being made out of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you.  That's why your deeds are like your monuments.  Built with memories instead of with stone.

Good, huh?  The whole book is like that.

5 out of 5 stars.  This is the author's first book.  She did a phenomenal job.  Wonder is also one of the best books I've read all year.  It will be in my Top 10 of 2012.  

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