wonder book review summary

– Entertainment Analysis and Reviews

Wonder Book Review: A Heartwarming Tale of Kindness and Empathy

“Wonder” is a novel by R.J. Palacio that tells the story of a young boy named August Pullman, who was born with a facial deformity that has made him the subject of much attention and ridicule. The book explores themes of acceptance, empathy, and kindness in a way that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. “Wonder” has become a beloved modern classic and has inspired a generation of readers to embrace differences and treat others with compassion. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the plot, writing style, characters, themes, and overall impact of “Wonder” to understand why it has captured the hearts and minds of so many.

The book wonder Summary of the Plot:

Review of the writing style:, wonder book analysis of the characters:, discussion of themes:, overall evaluation of book wonder:.

“Wonder” is the story of August “Auggie” Pullman, a ten-year-old boy who was born with a facial deformity that has caused him to be homeschooled his entire life. When Auggie’s parents enroll him in a mainstream school, he must navigate the challenges of fitting in with his classmates and dealing with bullying and exclusion. Along the way, Auggie makes new friends, learns to cope with his condition, and teaches others about the power of acceptance and kindness. The book is divided into several sections, each narrated by a different character, providing a unique perspective on Auggie’s experiences.

Some of the key events in the book include:

• Auggie’s first day of school, where he meets classmates who are both welcoming and hostile
• Auggie’s friendship with Summer, who stands up for him and shows him kindness
• Auggie’s struggles with bullying, including incidents where he is physically threatened
• The fallout of Auggie’s classmates learning about his facial deformity
• The school’s winter concert, where Auggie’s classmates perform a song in his honor
• Auggie’s growth and development throughout the school year as he learns to navigate his relationships and embrace his differences

Palacio’s writing is also effective in creating a vivid and empathetic portrayal of Auggie and his experiences. The descriptions of Auggie’s facial deformity are detailed enough to convey the severity of his condition, but not so graphic as to be overwhelming or unsettling for younger readers. Additionally, the use of humor and lighthearted moments throughout the book provides a balance to the more serious themes and adds to the overall appeal of the story.

One of the strengths of “Wonder” is its memorable and relatable characters, who bring depth and nuance to the story. Some of the key characters in the book include:

• August “Auggie” Pullman: The protagonist and central character of the book, Auggie is a young boy with a facial deformity that has made him the target of bullying and ridicule. Throughout the book, Auggie displays resilience, kindness, and a strong sense of self, as he learns to navigate the challenges of fitting in with his peers.
• Via Pullman: Auggie’s older sister, Via is a compassionate and loyal character who supports her brother but also struggles with her own feelings of neglect and isolation. Via’s chapters in the book provide a perspective on the impact of Auggie’s condition on his family and the challenges they face as a result.
• Jack Will: Auggie’s classmate and friend, Jack initially struggles to accept Auggie due to his appearance but ultimately learns the importance of empathy and kindness. Jack’s journey throughout the book is a testament to the power of growth and self-reflection.
• Julian Albans: Auggie’s main antagonist, Julian is a bully who actively targets Auggie and spreads rumors about him. Julian’s actions and motivations are complex, reflecting the ways in which insecurity and fear can manifest as cruelty and exclusion.

At its core, “Wonder” is a story about empathy, kindness, and the power of acceptance. Some of the key themes and messages in the book include:

• Acceptance: “Wonder” explores the importance of accepting others, regardless of their appearance or differences. The book emphasizes the value of empathy and the ways in which we can all work to make the world a kinder and more inclusive place.
• Bullying: Through Auggie’s experiences with bullying and exclusion, “Wonder” sheds light on the harmful effects of cruelty and the lasting impact it can have on individuals and communities. The book advocates for speaking up against bullying and standing up for those who are vulnerable.
• Family and Relationships: “Wonder” also delves into the complex dynamics of family and relationships, particularly in the context of disability and chronic illness. The book portrays the ways in which love, support, and understanding can help individuals and families navigate difficult circumstances and emerge stronger on the other side.

“Wonder” is a heartwarming and thought-provoking book that offers a powerful message of empathy and kindness. While the book is primarily aimed at younger readers, it has resonated with audiences of all ages, and its themes and messages are relevant and valuable for everyone.

Some of the book’s strengths include:

• Engaging and memorable characters: Palacio’s characters are well-drawn and memorable, each with their own distinct voice and perspective. Readers will find themselves invested in the characters’ journeys and rooting for their growth and development.
• Nuanced exploration of themes: “Wonder” tackles complex and important themes with nuance and depth, offering a thought-provoking exploration of issues such as acceptance, bullying, and family relationships.
• Inspiring and uplifting message: Ultimately, “Wonder” is a book about the power of kindness and empathy to overcome adversity and make the world a better place. Its inspiring and uplifting message is both timely and timeless.

“Wonder” is a beautifully written and deeply affecting book that offers a powerful message of empathy and acceptance. By exploring the experiences of Auggie and those around him, the book encourages readers to see beyond appearances and embrace our differences. Its themes and messages are both timely and timeless, and its impact on readers of all ages is undeniable.

Through its engaging characters, nuanced exploration of themes, and inspiring message, “Wonder” has earned its place as a modern classic. While there are some weaknesses to the book, its strengths far outweigh any criticisms. “Wonder” is a book that everyone should read, regardless of age or background, and its message of kindness and compassion is one that we can all strive to embody in our daily lives.

In the end, “Wonder” reminds us of the importance of empathy and the power of small acts of kindness. It is a book that encourages us to see the good in others and to work towards a more inclusive and accepting world. Whether you are a young reader or an adult, “Wonder” is a book that will touch your heart and inspire you to be a better person.

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Summary and Reviews of Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Summary | Excerpt | Reviews | Beyond the book | Read-Alikes | Genres & Themes | Author Bio

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• First Published:
• Feb 14, 2012, 320 pages

• Young Adults
• Mid-Atlantic, USA
• New York State
• Contemporary
• Parenting & Families
• Coming of Age
• Physical & Mental Differences
• Top Books of 2012
• Publication Information
• Write a Review
• Buy This Book

About This Book

Book summary.

Wonder is a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next.

Winner of the BookBrowse 2012 Best Book for Younger Readers Award

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. Ages 8+

Ordinary I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an XBox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary. I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don't get stared at wherever they go. If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all. I would wish that I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing. Here's what I think: the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way. But I'm kind of used to how I look by now. I know how to pretend I don't see the faces people make. We've all gotten pretty good at that sort of thing: me, Mom and Dad, Via. Actually, I take that back: Via's not so good at it. She can get really annoyed when people do something rude. Like, ...

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Media Reviews

Reader reviews, bookbrowse review.

Wonder rings its bell, and the note that reverberates in the air slips effortlessly into the reader's body. It hangs there, and the reader can't help but be changed. It is a meditation of a novel. A story that asks the reader to feel her way into kindness, empathy, and openness. And without a doubt, the reader, upon experiencing it, responds with a deep, resounding yes . Wonder is recommended for middle grade and young adult readers. It is a perfect book to open up discussions between students or book club members... continued

Full Review (602 words) This review is available to non-members for a limited time. For full access, become a member today .

(Reviewed by Tamara Ellis Smith ).

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Beyond the Book

R.j. palacio's inspiration for wonder.

Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. This is Auggie's statement on page one of Wonder about the appearance of his face. R.J. Palacio (whose real name is Raquel Jaramillo... Palacio is her mother's last name) makes a very conscious choice not to explore Auggie's disfigurement head-on, and I think it's a good one. Instead, she allows the reader to create her own images and then, very slowly and from a slanted sort of angle, Palacio gives details. Because at the heart of issue is, well, Auggie's heart, and that is all that matters. I don't want to dishonor Palacio's choice, but I will give you a bit of information about Auggie's condition. He has something called Mandibulofacial Dysostosis , which is more typically known as ...

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Read-Alikes

• Genres & Themes

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by R.J. Palacio

• Wonder Summary

August or "Auggie" Pullman, a ten-year-old boy living in New York City, was born with a facial deformity that has made it difficult for him to make friends. He lives with his parents, his older sister Via, and his dog Daisy. He has been homeschooled up until the fifth grade, but his parents have decided that it is time for him to go to a real school. They enroll him in Beecher Prep, a neighborhood private school, and take him to meet the principal, Mr. Tushman . While August is there, some of the kids who will be in August's grade take him on a tour of the school; one of them, Jack Will , is nice, but another, Julian, is noticeably rude.

Auggie settles into the first few months of school and his classmates slowly get used to the way his face looks. He becomes friends with Jack, and with a girl named Summer who sits with him at lunch on the first day. Apparently, a rumor that touching Auggie will give you the "plague" arises, so his classmates make a point of avoiding touching him, so that Auggie begins to feel alienated. Things get a lot worse on Halloween, typically Auggie's favorite day of the year, when Auggie overhears Jack say to Julian and some other boys that he would kill himself if he looked like Auggie. Jack is completely unaware that Auggie himself is sitting nearby, disguised in a Bleeding Scream costume.

The story switches perspective to Via, Auggie's older sister, who begins high school at the same time that Auggie starts middle school. Via has had to come to terms with the fact that her family's universe revolves around Auggie and his needs; hers often get pushed to the side. The only person who put her first was her grandmother, Grans , who is dead by the time the narrative begins.

Via is also dealing with school issues, since her former best friends, Miranda and Ella , stopped talking to her over the summer. Via feels neglected after the first day of school, since her mother appears more concerned with Auggie's day than with hers. A rift continues to grow between Via and her former friends, and Via settles into new group. On Halloween, Via is confused when Auggie comes home early, claiming to be sick and refusing to go trick or treating. He reveals to her what happened with Jack, and she convinces him that some kids will always be mean. Auggie, according to her, must move past such dilemmas and keep going to school. Auggie surprises Via by telling her that Miranda called to talk to him, and asked about her.

Next comes Summer's point of view. Summer spends time with Auggie because she legitimately wants to be his friend, not because Mr. Tushman asked her to. Since Auggie is mad at Jack, Summer becomes his best friend, and their two families hit it off as well. Summer struggles over whether to keep hanging out with Auggie or to hang out with the popular crowd instead, but ultimately chooses Auggie. When Jack eventually asks Summer why Auggie is mad at him, she gives him one clue: "Bleeding Scream."

The next section is told from Jack's perspective, and he backtracks to when Mr. Tushman first asked him to try to be a friend to the new student. He remembers seeing Auggie when they were both very little: at this earlier time, Jack was disconcerted by Auggie's face. Jack also has some struggles at home, since his family is not wealthy -- a sharp contrast to some other families with children in private schools.

When Jack puts two and two together and figures out what Auggie overheard, he feels terrible. He really does want to be Auggie's friend, but he got caught up in an attempt to be accepted by kids like Julian. When Julian tells him one day that being friends with Auggie is not worth it, Jack gets so angry that he punches Julian in the face. This conflict sets off a series of apology letters involving Jack, Mr. Tushman, and Julian, and Jack and Auggie eventually make up and become friends again. When Jack and Auggie return to school after winter break, though, Jack realizes that Julian has turned most of the boys in their grade against them and that a "war" has begun.

The perspective then switches to Via's new boyfriend, Justin , who has just met Auggie. Justin is good for Via, because he makes her feel important and valued. Since his own parents are divorced, Justin also enjoys spending time with the unified Pullman family. Auditions for the school play at his and Via's high school arrive, and he gets cast as the male lead in Our Town , while Via's old friend Miranda gets cast as the female lead with Via as the understudy.

Auggie's perspective comes back for the first time since the beginning of the novel: the situation has gotten better at school as students grow tired of the "war" between Julian and Jack. The Pullman family gets in a fight one day when Auggie realizes that Via has been hiding her involvement in the school play from him. She does not want him to come, because then she would be known once again as the girl with the deformed brother. During the fight, though, the Pullmans' dog Daisy is discovered to be extremely sick. She must be put to sleep, a choice which devastates the family. This loss also makes Via forget about the fight, and the whole family goes to the school play to see Justin. They expect to see Miranda in the lead female role, but then get a shock: Miranda apparently fell sick right before the show, so instead Via performs the lead role, and she does an amazing job.

Miranda gets a chance to tell her story now: she has avoided Via since school started because, during the summer, she told a lot of lies at camp and pretended she had a deformed little brother in order to become popular. She secretly misses Via, though. On the opening night of the play, Miranda has no one there to see her, so after she sees the Pullman family in the audience she fakes an illness so that Via can go onstage instead. This ploy gives Via and Miranda an opportunity to patch up their relationship.

The final section of the novel switches back to Auggie. The fifth grade goes on a retreat at a nature reserve for three days: this is Auggie's first time sleeping away from home. Things go great until the second night, when the students are watching an outdoor movie. Jack and Auggie go into the woods so that Jack can pee; while there, they encounter a bunch of older kids from another school, who make fun of Auggie and try to hurt him. Luckily, three of the boys from Beecher Prep who are usually mean to Auggie -- Henry , Miles , and Amos -- come to Auggie's rescue, although one of the older kids steals Auggie's hearing aids.

This incident makes Auggie extremely popular, however. By the final stages of the novel, almost everyone has at last warmed up to him and wants to be his friend. Things start looking up: the Pullmans get a new puppy, and Auggie learns from Mr. Tushman that Julian will not come back to Beecher Prep the following year. Graduation arrives; Auggie wins a special award for courage and kindness. He realizes how far he has come since the beginning of school, and he now has a solid group of friends and feels comfortable with who he is. The novel ends with his mother whispering in his ear, calling him a "wonder."

Wonder Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Wonder is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What writing assignment did Mr. Browne give the class?

Mr. Browne says that he will give the class a new precept every month. For the month of September, he tells them to consider: “If you have the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”

What are the facts that are more significative for you?

This question calls for your opinion... your reflection on the book. I particularly enjoyed Summer's sections, as they give us a glimpse into what it's like not to be in Auggie's situation, but to learn what it's like for the people closest to...

Why does Justin greet the different members of the family in four different ways? from wonder

This is one of the shorter sections, but Justin's segments are extremely important because they give us our first substantial look at Auggie's family from the outside. Summer and Jack only briefly interacted with the rest of Auggie's family, but...

Study Guide for Wonder

Wonder study guide contains a biography of R.J. Palacio, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Wonder
• Wonder Video
• Character List

Lesson Plan for Wonder

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Wonder
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Wonder Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Wonder

• Introduction

Reading Ladies

Wonder [book review].

October 27, 2017

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Heart, Heroes, and Humor…

You were probably an ordinary kid.

Did you ever experience a terrifying first day in a new school?

Consider Auggie. He feels ordinary inside but no one else sees him as ordinary. As he expresses:

“Kids don’t scream and run away if you’re ordinary….they don’t stare.”

This is the advice 10-year-old August Pullman receives from his parents on the first day of school:

“There are always going to be jerks in the world, Auggie,” she said, looking at me. “But I really believe, and Daddy really believes, that there are more good people on this earth than bad people, and the good people watch out for each other and take care of each other.”

Because the movie Wonde r releases in theaters on November 17, 2017, it seems timely to read or reread and review.

Movie Trailer here.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Genre/categories: Middle grade through adult contemporary fiction,  growing up, difficult discussions, family life, friendship, compassion, character traits

On the inside, ten-year-old August Pullman feels very ordinary. But as he says, ordinary kids don’t make other kids run away screaming and they don’t get stared at wherever they go. Auggie was born with a rare genetic abnormality that affected the formation of his face. Because of extensive surgeries and an attempt to protect him from cruelties of the outside world, Auggie’s parents have homeschooled him. The reader meets 5th grade Auggie as he’s being enrolled in a traditional school for the first time. Will he be accepted? Will he find friends? Will he find a hostile or friendly environment? How will adults in his life support him? The story is told from six perspectives (August, Via–his older sister, Summer–a friendly caring peer, Jack–a student leader who struggles in his role as a friend, Miranda–his sister’s best friend and a close family friend, and Justin–Miranda’s boyfriend) plus a bonus chapter from Julian’s point of view (Auggie’s nemesis).

Amazon (October) Rating: (an amazing) 4.9 Stars

My Thoughts:

If you plan to see the movie, don’t miss out on reading the book first!  It’s an easy, engaging, thoughtful, inspirational, and meaningful read with valuable discussion possibilities for the entire family. Wonder on DVD .

As we venture to school with Auggie, we feel his daily apprehension and celebrate his courage and determination. Even though he thinks of himself on the inside as an ordinary kid, we know he doesn’t look ordinary and his severe facial abnormality could cause him to be the object of unkind actions by his peers and to experience bullying.

Throughout Wonder , the narrative changes perspectives with each chapter. This helps us get a 360 degree understanding of Auggie’s world and also allows us to see the nice circle of people who care for him and support him. In addition, it allows the reader to understand that everyone battles something. Because this is written for a children’s audience, it does have a happy ending where ‘good” people are rewarded and the “bad” get their punishment. I like that there is an epilogue (extra chapter) in the current version of the book that follows Auggie’s nemesis Julian and we see how Julian changes and grows in empathy and compassion

Wonder takes a dramatic turn when Auggie overhears his friend Jack’s derogatory remarks about him; he is discouraged and devastated, and everything changes as he has to fight to rebuild what he’s lost. Through these authentic middle-grade voices, we learn about true friendship, risk, and the importance of kindness.

I especially admire Auggies’s English teacher who each month presents the idea of precepts to live by and encourages students to write their own…an example of a precept he presents is “When given the choice between being right or kind, choose kind.” In an attempt to establish the habit of writing precepts as a lifelong practice, he encourages students to email their precepts to him in the years after graduation. Auggie’s 5th-grade precept is “Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation once in their lives because we all overcometh the world.”

The following is a sampling of the types of quotes you will find from the adults in the story:

“Kinder than necessary,” he repeated. “What a marvelous line, isn’t it? Kinder than is necessary. Because it’s not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed. Why I love that line, that concept is that it reminds me that we carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness. And what does that mean? How is that measured? You can’t use a yardstick. It’s like I was saying just before: it’s not like measuring how much you’ve grown in a year. It’s not exactly quantifiable, is it? How do we know we’ve been kind? What is being kind, anyway?” “….If every single person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary–the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.” “It’s not just the nature of kindness, but the nature of one’s kindness. The power of one’s friendship. The test of one’s character. The strength of one’s courage–” 

Don’t miss out on this inspirational story filled with heart, heroes, and humor and which inspired the Kindness Movement . I expect that Wonder will become a beloved classic in upper-grade classrooms and in family libraries. Highly recommended for every reader who believes in the power of teaching through a story and for every family who is in the process of building empathy, compassion, and kindness. Wonder would make a great parent/child buddy read. I believe good literature and timeless themes can be enjoyed by all ages!

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”

My rating: 4.5 stars (rounded to 5)

Wonder Information Here.

There is an additional book, Auggie & Me . It’s not a sequel, rather a companion read and an extension of Auggie’s world with three additional points of view.

More Information about Auggie & Me Here.

The Kindness Movement and Sign the Pledge Here.

The author interviews kids about kindness here.

Wonder Movie Trailer here.

Wonder on DVD .

Meet the Author, R. J. Palacio

R. J. Palacio was born and raised in New York City. She attended the High School of Art and Design and the Parsons School of Design, where she majored in illustration with the hopes of someday following in the footsteps of her favorite childhood author-illustrators, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Maurice Sendak, and the D’Aulaires. She was a graphic designer and art director for many years before writing Wonder. We’re All Wonders, which is based conceptually on the themes of her novel, represents the fulfillment of her dream to write and illustrate her own picture book. R.J. is also the author of Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories and 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts. She lives in Brooklyn, where she is surrounded by magical water towers, with her husband, their two sons, and their two dogs, Bear and Beau. Learn more about her at rjpalacio.com or on Twitter at @RJPalacio.

I’m curious if you’ve read Wonder !

Do you have children that have read it? I’d love to hear your (or their) reflection.

Do you plan to see the movie ?

How do you feel about teaching character traits such as empathy and kindness through literature?

What are you reading this week?

Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.” ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” ~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

In my last post, I indicated that I would read and review If the Creek Don’t Rise . I did read it; however, I decided that Wonder would be the primary focus of my review this week so that I can encourage you to read it before the movie releases. Here’s my brief review of If the Creek Don’t Rise .

 If The Creek Don’t Rise by Leah Weiss

Genre/categories: Historical Fiction, Small Town, Rural, Appalachia, Hillbilly Culture

Young Sadie Blue lives in the North Carolina mountain town of Baines Creek and suffers abuse at the hands of her drunken husband, Roy Tupkin. When a new teacher comes to town, Sadie begins to think of finding her voice and of a life that doesn’t include Roy.

Amazon Rating: 4.5 Stars

Harsh and hard realities of life in this remote Appalachian community make If the Creek Don’t Rise a gritty and sobering read. Young Sadie Blue is pregnant, abused, mistreated, and struggling to find her voice. Only a few chapters are from Sadie’s POV. The story is told from multiple viewpoints giving readers a good perspective of her life and the hillbilly community. Some characters offer hope and healing while others are despicable. Sadie does find her voice in a way that surprised me (but maybe it shouldn’t have given her situation and the hillbilly culture). As a teacher, I hoped to learn more about the new teacher’s contribution to the youth of the community….I’m always looking for hope and redemption in a story….but after the teacher’s strong introduction, she fades into the background of the story. This is also disappointing because she is important to Sadie. Overall, I enjoyed the read and the excellent writing; however, it’s not a read that everyone would enjoy. It’s gritty and a bit dark but certainly an impressive debut novel. I would encourage you to read additional reviews.

My Rating: 4 Stars

If the Creek Don’t Rise Information Here.

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By R. J. Palacio

This novel is a heartwarming tale of kindess and empathy and a boy with a facial deformity making friends and growing to self-acceptance.

•  August's journey from insecurity to self-acceptance is deeply moving and relatable.
• Multi-narrative structure with diverse perspectives enrich the story
• The novel effectively develops the themes of kindness, empathy, and acceptance.
• The development of the plot is predictable
• The tone is overly didactic
• The antagonist is underdeveloped; there is no visible motive for his actions

Bottom Line

"Wonder" is a heartwarming and impactful novel that emphasizes the importance of kindness and acceptance. While it can be predictable and didactic, its strong character development and powerful themes make it a memorable read, particularly for young audiences. The book’s message of empathy and inclusivity resonates long after the final page, making it a valuable addition to contemporary young adult literature.

Rating [book_review_rating]

Continue down for the complete review to Wonder

Article written by Ebuka Igbokwe

Bachelor's degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

It is bad enough that August Pullman is born with a disfiguring disease that deforms his face, makes hearing difficult, and has him needing twenty-seven surgeries before the age of ten to give him a chance at life. It is undoubtedly worse to have him begin school and face discrimination at the hands of his classmates, Julian in particular. Thankfully, he has his family and a couple of friends like Summer and Jack Will, who care for and support him.

R. J. Palacio , the author of ‘ Wonder ,’ was inspired to write this novel from experience in her life. She stopped at an ice cream stand on a trip to see an out-of-town friend with her two sons. Sitting with her mother, there was a girl with a facial deformity. Her younger son began to cry. Palacio hurried her children away. Reflecting on the incident, she believed she could have handled it better. It also made her wonder what sort of life the little girl faced if this reaction was typical.

In “ Wonder “, August Pullman has Treacher-Collins Syndrome , a congenital craniofacial disease that leaves him deformed, and frequent hospitalization keeps him out of school. But he is finally ready to begin school in the fifth grade. He has received shocked stares and discrimination based on his looks, but this happens differently in school. However, he makes a few friends, like Summer Dawson and Jack Wills, and he has the understanding, empathy, and support of family and perseveres. School bully Julian Albans is particularly malicious, calling him names and instigating classmates to avoid him and treat him as a pariah. Soon enough, however, more of his classmates recognized him for the bright, funny, and brave boy he was.

The central premise of “ Wonder” is emotionally charged and unique. The story follows August Pullman, a young boy with facial deformities, as he navigates the challenges of attending public school for the first time. This premise immediately captures readers’ attention and sets the stage for a narrative exploring themes of acceptance and empathy.

The plot is emotionally engaging and uniquely portrays individuals’ difficulties with visible differences. For example, when August first arrives at school, he encounters a range of reactions from his classmates, from curiosity and fear to outright bullying, particularly by Julian, who leads a campaign to ostracize him. The novel’s trajectory is somewhat predictable, as readers anticipate that his peers will eventually accept August. This predictability is exemplified in the novel’s climax when August wins the Henry Ward Beecher medal, a symbolic moment that marks his acceptance and recognition by his school community.

While the plot is heart-warming, it can also feel idealized. Conflicts are often resolved in a manner that might not reflect the complexities of real life. For instance, the reconciliation between August’s sister, Via, and her friend, Miranda, is handled quickly, with little exploration of the underlying issues that caused their estrangement. Similarly, August’s transformation from an outcast to a beloved figure at school happens rapidly, which might strike some readers as overly optimistic.

Wonder explores several significant themes, including kindness, acceptance, bullying, and the challenges of living with a disability. The novel strongly emphasizes the power of kindness, as seen in the way characters like Summer Dawson and Jack Will choose to befriend August despite the social risks involved. Summer’s decision to sit with August at lunch on his first day is a pivotal moment that sets the tone for the novel’s message about the importance of empathy.

The theme of acceptance is central to the novel, as August struggles with his desire to be seen as “ordinary” despite his extraordinary appearance. This theme is reflected in August’s words when he says, “I know I’m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid… I do ordinary things. I feel ordinary inside. But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds.”

Palacio’s treatment of themes like kindness, social acceptance of those living with disabilities, and bullying in schools in “ Wonder ” shows a keen feeling for contemporary social issues. Interestingly, she handles the issues with faith in our humanity as the best address for them, rather than advocating for policy intervention by the government or school disciplinary bodies. Being kind is Palacio’s simple solution; she trusts it will make a significant impact.

However, the treatment of the themes of “ Wonder ” can be a bit on the nose and lack subtlety. For example, the precepts introduced by Mr. Browne, such as “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind,” are moralizing. The message is driven with the force of a crusader, and the characters are only vehicles for delivering a piece of moral instruction. The book can also be criticized for romanticizing the fact of living with disabilities to tell an inspirational tale.

“ Wonder ” excels in presenting characters from diverse backgrounds. The range of characters , each with their personalities and perspectives, enriches the storytelling and allows readers to gain insights into different lives and experiences.

August is a compelling protagonist whose internal struggles and outward challenges make him relatable to readers of all ages. His growth from a shy, insecure boy to a more confident individual is one of the novel’s most rewarding aspects. This transformation is highlighted in moments such as when August bravely decides to attend the school’s nature retreat, despite his fears of being ostracized.

Supporting characters like Via, Summer, Jack, and Julian add depth to the story. Via’s perspective provides insight into the challenges of siblings of children with disabilities. Her internal conflict is poignantly expressed when she reflects on the need to step out of August’s shadow and be seen as more than “the sister of the boy with the deformed face.”

Jack Will’s character undergoes significant development as well. Initially, he befriends August out of a sense of duty. Still, he eventually comes to genuinely care for him, as seen in his defense of August during the altercation with older students at the retreat. Jack’s journey from being influenced by peer pressure to standing up for what is right adds another layer of complexity to the novel.

Julian, the primary antagonist, is somewhat less developed. Although his role as the school bully is essential to the plot, his motivations are not explored in depth, making him appear more as a symbol of cruelty than a fully realized character. His actions, such as starting the “Plague” game to avoid touching August, are extreme, but his character lacks the nuance to explain why he behaves this way.

Palacio’s writing style in “ Wonder ” is accessible and engaging, making it an enjoyable read for a wide audience. The use of multiple narrators, including August, Via, Summer, Jack, and Miranda, provides a well-rounded perspective on the novel’s events. This multi-narrative structure allows readers to understand the impact of August’s presence on those around him, and it adds depth to the story by offering insights into each character’s inner world.

The first-person narrative is conversational, which creates a sense of intimacy between the characters and the reader. August’s voice, in particular, is authentic and relatable, filled with humor and resilience despite his hardships. For example, his self-deprecating humor is evident when he quips, “I’m used to not fitting in. The way I see it, I’m not ordinary and neither are you.”

However, the dialogue can sometimes become overly didactic, especially in scenes where characters deliver moral lessons. Mr. Tushman’s speech at the end of the novel, for instance, while uplifting, reads more like a sermon than a natural conversation. This can detract from the realism of the interactions.

The novel’s structure, divided into sections narrated by different characters, effectively maintains the reader’s interest and provides a comprehensive view of the story. The pacing is generally well-balanced, with moments of tension, such as August’s first day at school or the confrontation at the nature retreat, interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes.

However, the narrative occasionally slows down, particularly during lengthy dialogues or when certain moral themes are reiterated. For instance, while meaningful, the scenes involving Mr. Browne’s precepts can feel repetitive, slowing the story’s momentum.

The setting of “ Wonder ” primarily focuses on Beecher Prep, a typical middle school that serves as the backdrop for August’s challenges and triumphs. The school environment is portrayed with authenticity, capturing the dynamics of preteen social interactions, cliques, and the struggles of fitting in. This setting is relatable for the novel’s target audience and evokes memories of school life for older readers.

Palacio’s attention to detail in depicting the school’s atmosphere, from the cafeteria to the hallways, adds to the novel’s realism. The nature retreat setting also provides a significant turning point in the story, where August’s classmates begin to see him in a new light, further solidifying the novel’s themes of acceptance and friendship.

One of the strengths of “ Wonder ” is its character development, particularly with August, whose growth from insecurity to self-acceptance is compelling. Also, the multi-narrative structure enriches the story by providing diverse perspectives, deepening the reader’s connection with the characters. The novel’s themes of kindness, acceptance, and empathy are positive and powerful, offering hope and guidance to kids.

On the minus side, the plot can be predictable, following a familiar arc of an ugly duckling turning into a beautiful goose, and it is very formulaic. While impactful, Palacio’s treatment of themes can be overly didactic, with moral lessons presented in a way that leaves little room for interpretation. Finally, some characters, especially the antagonist Julian, feel underdeveloped, serving more as symbols than fully realized individuals with believable motives.

“ Wonder ” profoundly impacts its readers by highlighting the importance of kindness, acceptance, and empathy in the face of adversity. The novel encourages readers to look beyond outward appearances and embrace the humanity in everyone, making it a poignant and relevant read for all ages. Its success in fostering discussions about inclusivity and kindness, particularly through the Choose Kind movement, underscores its significant cultural and social impact. Despite its predictability and didactic approach, “ Wonder ” is a memorable and powerful novel that resonates with worldwide readers.

Wonder: A Message to Choose Kindness

Book Title: Wonder

Book Description: 'Wonder' by R. J. Palacio follows the story of August Pullman, a ten-year-old boy with facial disfigurement, as he faces the challenges of attending a regular school for the first time. Through August's and other characters' experiences, the novel explores themes of empathy, acceptance, and how kindness has the power to transform people and society, and leaves readers with the profound message of the importance of seeing people beyond their pyhysical appearances.

Book Author: R. J. Palacio

Book Edition: First Export Edition

Book Format: Paperback

Publisher - Organization: Alfred A Knopf

Date published: July 1, 2014

Illustrator: Tad Carpenter

ISBN: 9780553509977

Number Of Pages: 315

• Writing Style
• Lasting Effect on Reader

Wonder Review

‘ Wonder ‘ by R. J. Palacio is didactic but relatable, and tells about disability in a warm and inviting tone, easy prose and with personable characters. This makes for a very pleasant read for children.

• Light and easy read
• Emotionally stimulating
• Multi-perspective storytelling
• Romanticizes disability
• Too neatly resolved conflicts

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About Ebuka Igbokwe

Ebuka Igbokwe is the founder and former leader of a book club, the Liber Book Club, in 2016 and managed it for four years. Ebuka has also authored several children's books. He shares philosophical insights on his newsletter, Carefree Sketches and has published several short stories on a few literary blogs online.

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Facing Up to It

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By Maria Russo

• April 6, 2012

Born with several genetic abnormalities, 10-year-old August Pullman, called Auggie, dreams of being “ordinary.” Inside, he knows he’s like every other kid, but even after 27 surgeries, the central character of “Wonder” bears facial disfigurations so pronounced that people who see him for the first time do “that look-away thing” — if they manage to hide their shock and horror.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse,” he says of his face as the book begins. He’s used to the stares and mean comments, but he’s still terrified to learn that his parents have gotten him into middle school at Beecher Prep and want him to go there rather than be home-schooled. But they persuade him to give it a try — and by the time this rich and memorable first novel by R. J. Palacio is over, it’s not just Auggie but everyone around him who has changed.

Stories about unusual children who long to fit in can be particularly wrenching. At their core lurks a kind of loneliness that stirs primal fears of abandonment and isolation. But Palacio gives Auggie a counterweight to his problems: He has the kind of warm and loving family many “normal” children lack. Among their ­— and the book’s — many strengths, the Pullmans share the, um, earthy sense of humor that all kids love. Over the years his parents, Nate and Isabel, have turned the disturbing story of Auggie’s birth into high comedy involving a flatulent nurse who fainted at the sight of him, and they persuade him to go to Beecher by riffing hilariously on the name of the school’s director, Mr. Tushman. It also helps that the Pullmans’ world — they live in a town house in “the hippie-stroller capital of upper Upper Manhattan” — is the privileged, educated upper-middle class, that hotbed of parents who hover and micromanage the lives of their perfectly fine children. It’s somehow weirdly satisfying to see what happens when something actually alarming enters this zone of needless anxiety. Palacio carves a wise and refreshing path, suggesting that while even a kid like August has to be set free to experience the struggles of life, the right type of closeness between parents and children is a transformative force for good.

But it’s Auggie and the rest of the children who are the real heart of “Wonder,” and Palacio captures the voices of girls and boys, fifth graders and teenagers, with equal skill, switching narrators every few chapters to include Auggie’s friends and his teenage sister, Via, who wrestles with her resentment, guilt and concern. “We circle around him like he’s still the baby he used to be,” she observes ruefully. And we see the vicious politics of fifth-grade popularity played out as the class bully targets Auggie and starts a campaign to shun him, culminating in an overnight school trip that turns scary and shuffles the social deck in ways no one could have imagined.

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90 pages • 3 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

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Summary and Study Guide

Wonder is a middle-grade novel written by R.J. Palacio and published in 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf. The novel is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and also a major motion picture. Though multiple narrators tell the tale, the plot centers around August “Auggie” Pullman , a 10-year-old kid who has a genetic condition called mandibulofacial dysostosis that has left his face misshapen. People stare and judge him by his looks, but Auggie tries not to let it bother him. He feels like a normal kid on the inside and wishes others would get to know him for who he is. Auggie’s life of relative isolation is upended when he transitions from homeschooling to attending Beecher Prep Middle School. He faces bullying and discrimination, because of his appearance, as well as the routine trials of growing up .

At the beginning of the story, Auggie believes he’s just like any other kid, though he acknowledges that other kids don’t cause people to run away screaming. He’s only 10 years old when the narrative begins, and Auggie has already undergone 27 surgeries to try to correct various issues related to his genetic condition. While Auggie claims he’s used to people staring at him wherever he goes , his sister, Olivia “Via” Pullman is not; she gets visibly upset. Auggie’s fortitude to face public opinion is put to the test when he learns that he has been accepted to Beecher Prep—and that his parents expect him to attend.

Though Auggie initially feels like his parents have betrayed him, he agrees to go to school. The challenge this decision presents is significant. The other students jeer and stare at Auggie. Even some teachers reveal shock upon seeing him. Auggie takes it all in stride because he’s used to it. He makes a new friend, Jack Will; he and Jack Will sit next to each other in practically every class, providing some relief from his status as an outcast. Auggie also befriends Summer Dawson , a kind girl who sits with him at lunch when no one else will. Summer and Auggie connect over their shared sense of playfulness and wonder; unlike many of their peers, the two still play games and want to dress up for Halloween. Though Auggie has made friends, he also makes a powerful enemy in Julian . And, as the school year progresses, Julian not only bullies Auggie relentlessly but also creates an environment where others can act unkindly to Auggie.

On Halloween—Auggie’s favorite holiday because no one judges him for what he looks like—he overhears Jack Will badmouthing him to Julian while he is disguised in a costume. Auggie’s fragile world comes tumbling down with this betrayal, and he stops going to school. Eventually, Via convinces him not to let the bullies win. Auggie returns to school and later learns that Jack Will stood up for him against Julian by punching Julian in the face. Auggie and Jack Will eventually make up. Julian turns the entire class against Jack Will for this offense, but Summer, Auggie, and Jack Will grow closer as friends. Eventually, other students grow tired of Julian’s bullying. When the class goes on a spring retreat and a group of older kids assault Auggie, he finds that he has more friends than he realizes. People stand up for him and protect him, and soon the entire school is on Auggie’s side. Afterwards, Julian loses his support network when everyone chooses to be kind to Auggie.

Auggie receives an award during graduation for exhibiting quiet strength and inspiring kindness throughout the schoolyear. Now, everyone knows him for who he is as a person and not for what he looks like. His mother explains that there will always be bad people in life but that the good people outweigh the bad. Auggie’s schoolyear is a testament to this. At the end of the narrative, Auggie’s mom thanks him for being such “a wonder” to everyone in his life.

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New York Times Bestseller

by R.J. Palacio ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 14, 2012

A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder.

After being home-schooled for years, Auggie Pullman is about to start fifth grade, but he’s worried: How will he fit into middle school life when he looks so different from everyone else?

Auggie has had 27 surgeries to correct facial anomalies he was born with, but he still has a face that has earned him such cruel nicknames as Freak, Freddy Krueger, Gross-out and Lizard face. Though “his features look like they’ve been melted, like the drippings on a candle” and he’s used to people averting their eyes when they see him, he’s an engaging boy who feels pretty ordinary inside. He’s smart, funny, kind and brave, but his father says that having Auggie attend Beecher Prep would be like sending “a lamb to the slaughter.” Palacio divides the novel into eight parts, interspersing Auggie’s first-person narrative with the voices of family members and classmates, wisely expanding the story beyond Auggie’s viewpoint and demonstrating that Auggie’s arrival at school doesn’t test only him, it affects everyone in the community. Auggie may be finding his place in the world, but that world must find a way to make room for him, too.

Pub Date: Feb. 14, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-375-86902-0

Page Count: 320

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2011

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

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BOOK REVIEW

by R.J. Palacio

by R.J. Palacio ; illustrated by R.J. Palacio with K Czap

by R.J. Palacio ; illustrated by R.J. Palacio

More About This Book

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

by E.B. White illustrated by Garth Williams ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1952

The three way chats, in which they are joined by other animals, about web spinning, themselves, other humans—are as often...

A successful juvenile by the beloved New Yorker writer portrays a farm episode with an imaginative twist that makes a poignant, humorous story of a pig, a spider and a little girl.

Young Fern Arable pleads for the life of runt piglet Wilbur and gets her father to sell him to a neighbor, Mr. Zuckerman. Daily, Fern visits the Zuckermans to sit and muse with Wilbur and with the clever pen spider Charlotte, who befriends him when he is lonely and downcast. At the news of Wilbur's forthcoming slaughter, campaigning Charlotte, to the astonishment of people for miles around, spins words in her web. "Some Pig" comes first. Then "Terrific"—then "Radiant". The last word, when Wilbur is about to win a show prize and Charlotte is about to die from building her egg sac, is "Humble". And as the wonderful Charlotte does die, the sadness is tempered by the promise of more spiders next spring.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1952

ISBN: 978-0-06-026385-0

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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by E.B. White & illustrated by Maggie Kneen

by E.B. White illustrated by Fred Marcellino

by E.B. White illustrated by Garth Williams

PERSPECTIVES

SEEN & HEARD

by Gordon Korman ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017

Korman’s trademark humor makes this an appealing read.

Will a bully always be a bully?

That’s the question eighth-grade football captain Chase Ambrose has to answer for himself after a fall from his roof leaves him with no memory of who and what he was. When he returns to Hiawassee Middle School, everything and everyone is new. The football players can hardly wait for him to come back to lead the team. Two, Bear Bratsky and Aaron Hakimian, seem to be special friends, but he’s not sure what they share. Other classmates seem fearful; he doesn’t know why. Temporarily barred from football because of his concussion, he finds a new home in the video club and, over time, develops a new reputation. He shoots videos with former bullying target Brendan Espinoza and even with Shoshanna Weber, who’d hated him passionately for persecuting her twin brother, Joel. Chase voluntarily continues visiting the nursing home where he’d been ordered to do community service before his fall, making a special friend of a decorated Korean War veteran. As his memories slowly return and he begins to piece together his former life, he’s appalled. His crimes were worse than bullying. Will he become that kind of person again? Set in the present day and told in the alternating voices of Chase and several classmates, this finding-your-middle-school-identity story explores provocative territory. Aside from naming conventions, the book subscribes to the white default.

Pub Date: May 30, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-338-05377-7

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: March 19, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2017

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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by Gordon Korman

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Wonder, by R.J. Palacio | Book Review

Book Review of Wonder The Children’s Book Review

Written by R.J. Palacio

Ages 10+ | 320 Pages

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 978037586902

What to Expect: Disabilities, Self-Esteem, and Kindness

Kindness is an outstanding trait we all possess, so long as we choose to access it. It is an essential aspect of being human.

In the captivating, award-winning New York Times bestselling novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio, the theme of exhibiting kindness is explored in an inspiring way. The story revolves around a 10-year-old boy named August Pullman living with rare facial deformities. Auggie, as he is affectionately called, yearns to be accepted for who he is and not judged based on his looks. Due to having had 27 surgeries, both big and small, and lots of illness, August (Auggie), up until now, has been home-schooled.

Through Palacio’s vivid writing, readers journey through Auggie’s first year in school and see through the eyes of fifth-grade classmates and his sister, guiding us through valuable insights into the process of accepting someone different from us. Wonder is a heartwarming tale of bravery, love, and kindness. It is a call to action for us to strive towards our best selves and to choose kindness in every situation. This powerful and inspiring book has been a global phenomenon, with Auggie’s story inspiring a growing movement of compassion and empathy toward others.

Reading Wonder will undoubtedly help you embrace its message and become a part of this growing movement.

Buy the Book

About the author.

R. J. Palacio was born and raised in New York City. She attended the High School of Art and Design and the Parsons School of Design, where she majored in illustration with the hopes of someday following in the footsteps of her favorite childhood author-illustrators, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Maurice Sendak , and the D’Aulaires . She was a graphic designer and art director for many years before writing Wonder .

We’re All Wonders , which is based conceptually on the themes of her novel, represents the fulfillment of her dream to write and illustrate her own picture book. R.J. is also the author of Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories and 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts . She lives in Brooklyn, where she is surrounded by magical water towers, with her husband, their two sons, and their two dogs, Bear and Beau.

Learn more about her at https://wonderthebook.com/about or on Twitter at @RJPalacio .

What to Read Next if You Love Wonder

• Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, by R. J. Palacio
• 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts, R. J. Palacio
• Out of My Mind , by Sharon Draper

Bianca Schulze reviewed  Wonder . Discover more books like Wonder by reading our reviews and articles tagged with disabilities , self-esteem , kindness , and family .

What to Read Next:

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Moving tale of facially different boy with inner beauty.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Wonder is about 10-year-old August "Auggie" Pullman, who has a genetic facial difference. After being homeschooled, he enters school for the first time in fifth grade and has to cope with a range of reactions to his unusual appearance, as well as a lot of typical middle school drama…

Why Age 10+?

Auggie and a couple of his classmates come across some seventh-grade kids whom t

No curse words, but a lot of hate speech and insults. Other children call Auggie

Auggie's friend Jack Will punches another boy. Some seventh-grade kids pick on A

Auggie's high school-age sister, Via, has a boyfriend, and they kiss a few times

Any Positive Content?

Wonder has a powerful way of reminding readers that beauty is only skin deep. Th

Almost all of the adults in Wonder are strong role models for Auggie; his sister

Main character Auggie has a craniofacial condition, and the book centers around

Wonder's greatest lessons are more emotional or behavioral than academic. But th

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Auggie and a couple of his classmates come across some seventh-grade kids whom they observe smoking. It's not entirely clear whether they're smoking cigarettes or pot.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

No curse words, but a lot of hate speech and insults. Other children call Auggie an "alien," an "orc," and a "freak"; they slip notes into his locker telling him to "Get out of our school," and they pretend he has a contagious disease that they call the Plague. Auggie himself uses discriminatory language when he yells "I'm not retarded!"

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Auggie's friend Jack Will punches another boy. Some seventh-grade kids pick on Auggie and his friends, and physically assault them. Kids are pushed, bruised, and scraped, and a child's sweatshirt is torn; the violence in this scene is preceded by verbal abuse, which makes the physical attack especially disturbing. A family experiences the loss of a beloved pet.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Auggie's high school-age sister, Via, has a boyfriend, and they kiss a few times.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Wonder has a powerful way of reminding readers that beauty is only skin deep. The novel also offers lessons about the dangers of responding to peer pressure and the importance of simple human kindness. The precepts that Mr. Browne teaches his students also introduce various meaningful ideas.

Positive Role Models

Almost all of the adults in Wonder are strong role models for Auggie; his sister, Via; and their friends. Auggie's parents, in particular, are so loving, devoted, patient, and kind that their kids' friends wish they could join the Pullman family. Auggie's teachers and Mr. Tushman, the director of Beecher Prep, are caring educators who deftly ease Auggie out of some challenging situations but also let him find his own way socially. Auggie himself shows grace, as well as enough believable kid emotion to make him as convincing as he is admirable.

Diverse Representations

Main character Auggie has a craniofacial condition, and the book centers around his experiences. He's a complex character with realistic kid emotions and flaws. The rest of his family members provide great examples of how to support a loved one living with a visible disability. Though the novel stops short of endorsing disability hierarchy, it does unfortunately use casual ableism when Auggie yells, "I'm not retarded!" (It's never explained to Auggie that this isn't acceptable.) As written by female author R.J. Palacio, women in the book, such as Auggie's mom and sister, have important roles. Characters' ethnicities aren't made clear, but physical markers include Auggie's brown eyes, Via's "olive skin and the bluest eyes," and Mr. Tushman's "blue eyes with white eyelashes," and there are supporting characters with blond and brown hair. A minor character is named Mrs. Garcia.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Educational Value

Wonder 's greatest lessons are more emotional or behavioral than academic. But the book does go into some detail about genetics and the probability of a child developing physical differences like Auggie's. The novel also offers a telling look at middle school life and curriculum and a bit of information about the differences between middle school and high school culture. One of the teachers, Mr. Browne, teaches his students about precepts, and they discuss a new precept every month. Many of these are great life lessons from authors, spiritual leaders, and philosophers.

Parents need to know that Wonder is about 10-year-old August "Auggie" Pullman, who has a genetic facial difference. After being homeschooled, he enters school for the first time in fifth grade and has to cope with a range of reactions to his unusual appearance, as well as a lot of typical middle school drama. Some kids use hateful language, and some people suggest that Auggie is mentally deficient. These situations are upsetting, as are other hardships that Auggie's family endures, including the loss of a beloved family pet. But goodness wins out, and readers should find it inspiring and uplifting. A high school couple kisses a few times, and Auggie observes some seventh-grade kids smoking, but it's not clear whether they're smoking cigarettes or pot. The book was adapted for the 2017 film starring Julia Roberts , Owen Wilson , and Jacob Tremblay . The audiobook version, read by Nick Podehl , Kate Rudd, and Diana Steele, was named a 2013 Notable Children's Recording by the American Library Association.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (60)
• Kids say (273)

Based on 60 parent reviews

Read this! It’s awesome!

What's the story.

August "Auggie" Pullman is a fifth-grade boy with a craniofacial condition. His loving parents and sister have shielded him from many outside influences before WONDER begins, and he's been homeschooled up until that point. But at the start of the book, his mother has decided that it's time for Auggie to brave a group schooling experience. Auggie is upset and afraid to face the other kids' reactions to his appearance, but there's also part of him that wants to do "normal" things. The director of his new school, Mr. Tushman, introduces Auggie to a small group of students before school starts, thinking this will help ease the transition. While some of the students Auggie meets are accepting and kind, others are a bit put off by him, and still others are downright cruel. The novel follows Auggie's first year of middle school from beginning to end. It's a year in which Auggie experiences the best and the worst of human nature and a year of tremendous emotional growth for him.

Is It Any Good?

Auggie himself is a very convincing and poignant character -- definitely not just a device -- and his story is extremely moving and uplifting. Author R.J. Palacio writes Wonder in multiple voices, including Auggie's, some of his friends', and his sister's. The different points of view are mostly very well-realized and show the inner feelings of the different characters -- though a couple of aspects of Wonder don't ring fully true. Auggie's parents are almost too perfect to be believed, and the main mean kid in the novel is a bit too easily dispensed with.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about peer pressure and how it's portrayed in Wonder . Sometimes we feel pushed to reject someone -- even a friend -- because others don't like that person. How would you handle the situation that Jack Will faces?

Why do you think some people are cruel to Auggie?

If you wrote a precept -- like Mr. Browne's class does -- what would it be?

Do you think Auggie's parents did the right thing in sending him to school? Why, or why not?

In what ways does Wonder encourage compassion ? Which characters seem the most compassionate to you? Why is this an important character strength ?

Book Details

• Author : R.J. Palacio
• Genre : Coming of Age
• Topics : Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models
• Character Strengths : Compassion
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
• Publication date : February 14, 2012
• Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
• Number of pages : 320
• Last updated : November 9, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to read next.

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We're All Wonders

Mockingbird

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Zen and the Art of Faking It

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• Brothers and Sisters
• Great Boy Role Models

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Birmingham, Uk

Wonder | Book Review

• July 14, 2020
• July 27, 2021
• Book Review

YOU CAN’T BLEND IN, WHEN YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT.

Wonder is a heart-warming book by R.J. Palacio. It shares the story of how a young boy called August Pullman, goes to school for the first time. August was born with a facial disorder, causing him to have over 30 different operations on his face. This problem sadly brings him to be reacted to and judged in various ways.

On his first day of school for a tour, in the summer holidays, he gets to meet 3 students who would be studying in his class: Jack Will, Charlotte and Julian. Julian, treats him harshly and questions him bitterly about his looks, saying it looks as though he was in a fire and his face had melted. However, he makes a particular friendship with Jack Will, who decides to defend him from the accusations made about his face. 

Unfortunately, this bond does not last very long, as August finds out that his one and only friend despises him. Luckily, a girl called Summer, who isn’t even in his class becomes friends with him and helps him in difficult situations.

Horribly, on his 3 days trip away from home, kids from other schools bully him, however, he is helped by others from his school that had never even spoken to him before. This shows how those who didn’t take him as a friend still liked him and looked after him. 

This is one of August prefects after going to school.

.ugb-aeccde4 .ugb-blockquote__quote{width:70px !important;height:70px !important} Everyone deserves a standing ovation because we all overcometh the world.” By Auggie .

This is one of my favorite books and is very heart-touching and emotional. Also, I liked how the author had shown everything in different characters’ perspectives to tell you why and what they were trying to do.

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A very well written review of the book “Wonder”. Did you know this amazing book has also turned into a film? however, we recommend reading the book first before watching the movie.

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'Wonder' Book Review

R.J. Palacio's Novel of Bullying and Acceptance

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"Wonder," R.J. Palacio's debut novel, was written for children 8 to 12 years old, but its message defies genres . Published in 2012, its anti-bullying, pro-acceptance message will resonate with teenagers and even adults as well.

Some books are action-packed, compelling the reader to turn the page to find out what happens next. Other books are compelling because they invite readers to engage with characters who are real, who come alive off the page, and who pull the reader into their story. "Wonder" is the latter kind of book. In fact, very little "action" happens within its pages, and yet readers will find themselves deeply affected by the story.

August Pullman (Auggie to his friends) is not an ordinary 10-year-old boy. He feels like one and has the interests of one, but his face is not ordinary at all. In fact, it's the type of face that scares kids and makes people stare. Auggie is pretty good natured about it all. This is the way he is, after all, and while he doesn’t like that people stare, there’s not much he can do about it.

Because his face has required many reconstructive surgeries, Auggie has been homeschooled . But there are no more surgeries to be done for a while, and now August’s parents think it’s time that he goes to mainstream school, beginning with fifth grade in the fall. The idea of this terrifies Auggie; he knows how people react to seeing him, and he wonders if he will be able to fit in at school at all.

He bravely gives it a go, but finds that it’s much like he expected. Many of the children laugh at him behind his back, and someone has started a game called the Plague, in which people “catch” a “disease” if they touch Auggie. One boy, Julian, leads the bullying attacks. He’s the sort of kid whom adults find charming, but in reality, he is quite mean to anyone not in his circle of friends.

Auggie does make two close friends: Summer, a girl who actually likes Auggie for who he is, and Jack. Jack started out as Auggie’s “assigned” friend, and when Auggie finds this out, he and Jack have a falling out. However, they patch things up at Christmas, after Jack gets suspended for hitting Julian for badmouthing Auggie.

This leads to a “war," with the popular boys against Auggie and Jack. While nothing more than mean words, in the form of notes in the lockers, fly between the two camps, the tension between them lasts until the spring. Then there's a confrontation between a group of older boys from a different school and Auggie and Jack at a sleep-away camp. They are hopelessly outnumbered until a group of boys who were formerly against Auggie and Jack help defend them from the bullies.

In the end, Auggie has a successful year at school, and even makes the Honor Roll. In addition, the school gives him an award for courage, which he doesn't understand, musing, “If they want to give me a medal for being me, I’ll take it.” (p. 306) He sees himself as ordinary, and in the face of everything else, he really is just that: an ordinary kid.

It‘s the straightforward, non-sentimental manner in which Palacio approaches her topic that makes this such an excellent book. Auggie might have an extraordinary face, but he's a regular kid, and that makes him relatable, in spite of his challenges. Palacio also shifts her point of view, telling the story through the eyes of characters other than Auggie. This allows the reader to get to know characters like Auggie's sister, Via, who talks about the way her brother takes over the family’s life. However, some of the other viewpoints—especially of Via’s friends—feel somewhat unnecessary and bog down the middle of the book.

The power of the book likes in how Palacio creates such a normal, relatable character from a boy living with such an extraordinary physical affliction. Even though "Wonder" is recommended for children ages 8 through 12, the book's themes of identity, bullying, and acceptance make it interesting reading for a wide audience as well.

About R.J. Palacio

An art director by profession, R. J. Palacio first thought of the idea for "Wonder" when she and her children were on vacation. While there, they saw a young girl who had a condition similar to Auggie’s. Her children reacted badly, which got Palacio thinking about the girl and what she goes through on a daily basis. Palacio also thought about how she could have better taught her children to respond to situations like this.

The book inspired Random House to start an anti-bullying campaign, called Choose Kind , with a site where people can share their experiences and sign a pledge to stamp out bullying. There you can also download an excellent Educator Guide for Wonder to use at home, or with a community grouop.

Companion Book

"Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories ," also by R. J. Palacio, is a 320-page collection of three stories, each told from the point of view of one of three characters from "Wonder": the bully Julian, Auggie’s oldest friend, Christopher, and his new friend, Charlotte. The stories take place prior to Auggie’s attending school and during his first year there.

This book is neither a prequel nor a sequel to "Wonder"—in fact, Palacio has made it clear that she does not plan to ever write either. Instead, this book is meant as a companion for those who have already read "Wonder" and want to extend the experience by learning more about Auggie's impact on the people around him.

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R. J. Palacio

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on R. J. Palacio's Wonder . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Wonder: Introduction

Wonder: plot summary, wonder: detailed summary & analysis, wonder: themes, wonder: quotes, wonder: characters, wonder: symbols, brief biography of r. j. palacio.

Historical Context of Wonder

Other books related to wonder.

• Full Title: Wonder
• When Written: 2011
• Where Written: New York City
• When Published: 2012
• Literary Period: Contemporary
• Genre: Young Adult Fiction
• Setting: Upper Manhattan, late 2010s
• Climax: When Amos, Miles, and Henry stand up for Auggie during the class camping trip
• Antagonist: Julian Albans
• Point of View: First person, narrated by August, Via, Jack, Miranda, and Justin

Extra Credit for Wonder

Cher. In the 1984 movie Mask , the singer Cher played the role of a mother of a child with a craniofacial condition similar to August's. Since then, she's remained active in the Children's Craniofacial Association and is currently their national spokesperson. She regularly calls children to check in before and after surgeries and often invites them to her concerts.

Raising Awareness. The Children's Craniofacial Association has embraced Wonder as an essential part of its mission to spread awareness for children with craniofacial anomalies. They facilitate a program that matches classrooms that read Wonder with a "buddy" with a craniofacial anomaly so that students can meet "real-life Auggies" and ask them questions.

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Wonder leans on its great cast to tell an engaging, warmhearted family story

Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, and Owen Wilson star in a movie based on the best-selling novel.

by Alissa Wilkinson

The old maxim exhorting us to “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle” is the thesis of Wonder — it’s even quoted at the end of the film — and Wonder handles it well, following a boy named August Pullman, his family, and his friends through a year of change in their lives.

August, nicknamed Auggie, was born with a chromosome condition that causes facial deformities, and after 27 surgeries he still looks noticeably different from other kids his age. His perspective on his life is certainly the core of the movie, and that’s part of what made the novel it’s based on a best-seller.

But Wonder doesn’t focus exclusively on Auggie, and that’s its biggest strength. The film’s bigger story is that even though Auggie’s family — his parents, his sister, even his dog — has bent their lives around his, they, too, are dealing with their own struggles. So are Auggie’s friends, and even his enemies.

While the movie’s premise feels prone to the maudlin, it’s ultimately quite poignant; Wonder is a family-oriented tale in which people make mistakes in the way they treat one another, but learn and grow in a way that doesn’t feel condescending to the film’s younger audience. Importantly, Wonder is also a movie about a young boy with a condition that makes him stand out from his peers — but it doesn’t valorize or patronize him by painting him as a saint. It respects Auggie too much for that.

Wonder is a sensitive exploration of the many ways people struggle in ordinary life

The movie picks up as Auggie ( Jacob Tremblay ) is getting ready to attend school for the first time, a new fifth-grader who’s been homeschooled thus far. His mother Isabel ( Julia Roberts ), his father Nate ( Owen Wilson ), and his sister Via ( Izabela Vidovic ) are all supportive and encouraging, but he’s not convinced it’s a step he is ready to take, and when they walk him to school through the park on his first day, he’s reticent to take off his beloved astronaut helmet.

Thanks to the school’s kindly headmaster, Mr. Tushman ( Mandy Patinkin ), Auggie has already met three of his classmates: chatty Charlotte ( Elle McKinnon ); quiet Jack Will ( Noah Jupe ); and two-faced Julian ( Bryce Gheisar ), who performs niceness around adults but harbors a serious mean streak. He soon meets another classmate, the immediately kind-to-him Summer ( Millie Davis ), and likes his energetic teacher Mr. Browne ( Daveed Diggs ), but school is still difficult for Auggie. He knows the other kids are looking at him, even if nobody is being mean. Every day makes him question whether he’ll ever be able to feel like he truly fits in.

His sister Via, meanwhile, is in high school and discovering that her lifelong best friend Miranda ( Danielle Rose Russell ) has changed over the summer. She joins theater and makes a new friend, Justin ( Nadji Jeter ), but simultaneously grapples with feeling as if she’s in second place regarding her parents’ affections — something she’s grown used to, given Auggie’s great need for care and attention.

Via’s story is told from her perspective, which adds layers to our understanding of her, and Wonder delves into the perspectives of other characters, too: Jack Will, Miranda, Isabel, and even Julian. It turns out that learning about other people’s fears, wants, hurts, and joys can make everything those people do — the bad stuff and the good stuff — make more sense. And as the school year goes on, they all grow in their maturity and relationships with one another, and in their ability to experience empathy.

The film leans on strong characters and a strong cast to tell a warm, meaningful story

Wonder succeeds largely on the strength of its cast, which includes a bevy of stellar performers led by Tremblay’s sensitive portrayal of Auggie as a complicated kid who worries about his classmates but sometimes yells at his parents and sister, too.

But it’s also a tricky story to tell without tipping over into manipulation. Director Stephen Chbosky ( The Perks of Being a Wallflower ) adapted R.J. Palacio’s source novel into a screenplay with Steve Conrad and Jack Thorne , and it neatly avoids becoming a didactic after-school special about why it’s important for people to be kind by letting the story work as a character piece, full of humor and warmth and conflict and fun. Sometimes the adults deliver speeches about growing up and dealing with life, but those speeches always seem to flow organically from their characters.

Of course, Wonder is still a moderately sentimental film. And as a movie called Wonder that’s aimed at families, that characteristic is practically in its DNA. But it earns the sentiment. Auggie struggles, and so do his parents, and his sister, and his friends. And so do we all. A bit of kindness is never out of place. And these days, it seems more important than ever.

Wonder opens in theaters on November 17.

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10 Reasons Why You Must Read “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio [2024] 📚

• March 29, 2024
• Book Reviews , Book Summaries

Quick Answer: “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio is a heartwarming and thought-provoking book that teaches valuable lessons about kindness, acceptance, and empathy. It follows the journey of Auggie, a 10-year-old boy with facial abnormalities, as he navigates his first year at Beecher Prep. This book is a must-read for readers of all ages, as it inspires us to choose kindness and make a positive impact in the world.

Have you ever come across a book that touches your heart, makes you laugh, and leaves a lasting impact on your soul? Well, “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio is one such book. It’s a beautiful story that captivates readers with its mix of humor, sadness, and relatable themes. In this article, we, the book lovers at Book Summary Review™, will delve into the reasons why you absolutely must read “Wonder.” So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s dive into the world of Auggie and his extraordinary journey!

Table of Contents

Quick answer, quick tips and facts, background: the story of “wonder”, reason 1: a meditation of kindness, reason 2: themes of compassion, acceptance, and empathy, reason 3: an anti-bullying message, reason 4: suitable for all ages and reading settings, reason 5: mr. browne’s precepts, reason 6: craftsmanship and literary elements, reason 7: inspiring hope in the face of challenges, reason 8: auggie’s relatable character arc, reason 9: vocabulary enrichment, reason 10: making a positive impact, recommended links, reference links.

“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio is a heartwarming and thought-provoking book that teaches valuable lessons about kindness, acceptance, and empathy. It follows the journey of Auggie, a 10-year-old boy with facial abnormalities, as he navigates his first year at Beecher Prep. This book is a must-read for readers of all ages, as it inspires us to choose kindness and make a positive impact in the world.

✅ 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | Walmart | Barnes & Noble

• Author: R.J. Palacio
• Published: 2012
• Genre: Children’s Fiction
• Awards: New York Times Bestseller, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Mark Twain Award, and more
• Recommended Reading Level: 5th-7th grade
• Lexile Level: 790
• Guided Reading Level: U
• DRA Level: 50

Before we dive into the reasons why “Wonder” is a must-read, let’s take a moment to understand the story behind the book. “Wonder” introduces us to Auggie Pullman, a 10-year-old boy with a facial deformity called Treacher Collins syndrome. After being homeschooled for years, Auggie enters the fifth grade at Beecher Prep, a mainstream school. The book takes us on a journey through Auggie’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs as he navigates friendships, bullies, and the complexities of middle school life.

At its core, “Wonder” is a meditation of kindness. R.J. Palacio beautifully weaves a story that emphasizes the importance of being kind to others, regardless of their appearance or differences. Through Auggie’s journey, the book reminds us that a small act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life. It encourages readers to choose kindness over being right and to embrace empathy and compassion.

Compassion, acceptance, and empathy are central themes in “Wonder.” The book explores the power of understanding and accepting others for who they are, rather than judging them based on their appearance. It teaches us to look beyond the surface and to see the beauty in diversity. By delving into the perspectives of different characters, “Wonder” fosters empathy and encourages readers to put themselves in someone else’s shoes.

Bullying is a prevalent issue in schools and society, and “Wonder” addresses it head-on. The book highlights the devastating impact of bullying on individuals and emphasizes the importance of standing up against it. Through Auggie’s experiences, readers witness the effects of both overt and subtle forms of bullying. “Wonder” serves as a powerful tool to spark conversations about bullying and promote a culture of kindness and inclusion.

“Wonder” is a book that transcends age boundaries. While it is categorized as children’s fiction, readers of all ages can find value in its pages. Whether you’re a parent reading it aloud to your child, a teacher incorporating it into your curriculum, or an adult seeking a heartwarming story, “Wonder” has something to offer. Its discussion-worthy content makes it suitable for read-alouds, literature circles, or whole-class novels.

One of the unique aspects of “Wonder” is the inclusion of Mr. Browne’s precepts. Mr. Browne, Auggie’s English teacher, introduces a new precept each month, which serves as a guiding principle for the students. These precepts prompt reflection and character development, encouraging readers to think deeply about their own values and actions. They provide valuable life lessons that extend beyond the pages of the book.

R.J. Palacio’s craftsmanship shines through in “Wonder.” The book is skillfully written, with shifting perspectives that allow readers to see the story from different angles. Each character has a unique voice and contributes to the overall narrative. Palacio’s use of literary elements, such as symbolism and foreshadowing, adds depth and richness to the story. The writing style is accessible and engaging, making it a page-turner for readers of all ages.

“Wonder” is a story that inspires hope. Despite the challenges Auggie faces, he remains resilient and optimistic. The book reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope. It encourages readers to believe in themselves, embrace their uniqueness, and find strength in their struggles. “Wonder” is a beacon of light that reminds us of the power of perseverance and the beauty of the human spirit.

Auggie’s character arc in “Wonder” is relatable and inspiring. As readers follow his journey, they witness his growth, self-discovery, and transformation. Auggie’s experiences resonate with readers of all ages, as they navigate their own challenges and search for their place in the world. His story serves as a reminder that we are all capable of growth and change, no matter our circumstances.

“Wonder” offers an opportunity for vocabulary enrichment. R.J. Palacio’s writing is rich with descriptive language and vocabulary that expands readers’ word banks. As readers encounter new words and phrases, they can explore their meanings and incorporate them into their own vocabulary. This linguistic enrichment enhances reading comprehension and language skills.

Ultimately, “Wonder” inspires readers to make a positive impact in the world. It encourages us to be kind, accepting, and empathetic towards others. The book challenges us to examine our own actions and choices, urging us to be the change we wish to see in the world. Through Auggie’s story, “Wonder” reminds us that our actions, no matter how small, can create a ripple effect of kindness and change lives.

What is the story of “Wonder” book?

“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio follows the journey of Auggie Pullman, a 10-year-old boy with facial abnormalities, as he enters fifth grade at Beecher Prep. The book explores Auggie’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs as he navigates friendships, bullies, and the complexities of middle school life.

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What is the main message of “Wonder” book?

The main message of “Wonder” is the importance of kindness, acceptance, and empathy. The book emphasizes the power of choosing kindness over being right and encourages readers to see beyond appearances and embrace diversity.

What happens at the end of “Wonder” book?

[Spoiler Alert] At the end of “Wonder,” Auggie receives the Henry Ward Beecher Medal for showing exceptional kindness and strength throughout the school year. The book concludes with Auggie reflecting on his journey and expressing gratitude for the people who have supported him.

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What is the theme summary of “Wonder”?

The themes of “Wonder” include kindness, compassion, acceptance, empathy, anti-bullying, hope, and personal growth. The book explores these themes through the experiences of Auggie and the people around him.

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In conclusion, “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio is a book that will touch your heart, make you laugh, and leave a lasting impact on your soul. It teaches valuable lessons about kindness, acceptance, and empathy, reminding us of the power of our actions and the beauty of diversity. Whether you’re a child, a teenager, or an adult, “Wonder” is a must-read that will inspire you to choose kindness and make a positive impact in the world.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of “Wonder” and embark on a journey that will leave you with a renewed sense of compassion and a greater appreciation for the power of kindness.

• Book Summaries
• Book Reviews
• Literary Themes
• Author Profiles
• Book Summary Review™ Presents: “Where the Crawdads Sing” – A Captivating Tale of Nature, Mystery, and Beauty 2024 📚
• 6 Reasons Why You Should Read Wonder by R.J. Palacio
• Official Website of R.J. Palacio

Review Team

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