Author: R.J. Palacio
Publish Date: 14th February 2012
Published By: Knopf Books for Young Readers
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.
When do we become comfortable with the type of people we are and accept the kind of people we want to become?
I can hear the groans already - yet another coming of age tale about a kid with a serious problem? However, I feel it's both fortunate and unfortunate that so many authors are beginning to right books about tolerance and acceptance, especially with the central characters being so young of age. We live in a world now that is getting dominated by children growing up believing that they should be part of a crowd and follow a pack for popularity, because they've been taught that popularity equals fame which equals success. This unfortunately has sprouted horrific videos of bullying, recorded and done purely for entertainment values and to look 'cool'. However, there is one bright light during this dark time - incredible books like Wonder are being written because of it.
The story is broken up into different character's point of views, and is what charmed me the most about the book. As the reader, you get to see how the character's truly feel, and at times it surprised me that some of their motives were driven by emotions I wasn't expecting them to be feeling. Palacio is definitely an author who knows her characters and knows how to write as if she is them. We discover with the characters. We learn about them as soon as they learn about themselves. It's a hard thing to pull off, but Palacio does this effortlessly.
The storyline itself seems quite typical - new kid at school, obviously the outcast, obviously makes friends and enemies, obviously overcomes all the issues he faces. But because of each character's involvement in how August's life changes, this is far from the typical coming of age novel. It's an incredibly relatable narrative because we've all been the new kid at school trying to fit in and because of this you find yourself caring so much more about the characters. August is only ten years old but is always aware of people's reactions regardless of how well they try to hide them - he notices their small habits when around him and this makes him the most interesting ten year old in a novel that I've read for a while.
This is essentially a story about how each character's lives are complicated because of August's physical deformities and how it affects them differently. It's a story about how much we need to accept the truth and realise that because we feel a certain way that could be deemed by society as a horrible way to feel, doesn't make us bad people. And those feelings, in some cases, can eventually go away. It's how we regard others and their differences and likeness to us. Palacio presents us with the truth, and tells us that whilst the truth may be an ugly thing to accept (much like August's facial deformities), accepting that it exists as a part of you but does not define you will help you to grow as a person.
The ending of this book was utterly heartwarming and rounded up each character's personal development perfectly. And I can't help but think I learnt a little something from this book too about accepting my own ugly truths.
I can hear the groans already - yet another coming of age tale about a kid with a serious problem? However, I feel it's both fortunate and unfortunate that so many authors are beginning to right books about tolerance and acceptance, especially with the central characters being so young of age. We live in a world now that is getting dominated by children growing up believing that they should be part of a crowd and follow a pack for popularity, because they've been taught that popularity equals fame which equals success. This unfortunately has sprouted horrific videos of bullying, recorded and done purely for entertainment values and to look 'cool'. However, there is one bright light during this dark time - incredible books like Wonder are being written because of it.
The story is broken up into different character's point of views, and is what charmed me the most about the book. As the reader, you get to see how the character's truly feel, and at times it surprised me that some of their motives were driven by emotions I wasn't expecting them to be feeling. Palacio is definitely an author who knows her characters and knows how to write as if she is them. We discover with the characters. We learn about them as soon as they learn about themselves. It's a hard thing to pull off, but Palacio does this effortlessly.
The storyline itself seems quite typical - new kid at school, obviously the outcast, obviously makes friends and enemies, obviously overcomes all the issues he faces. But because of each character's involvement in how August's life changes, this is far from the typical coming of age novel. It's an incredibly relatable narrative because we've all been the new kid at school trying to fit in and because of this you find yourself caring so much more about the characters. August is only ten years old but is always aware of people's reactions regardless of how well they try to hide them - he notices their small habits when around him and this makes him the most interesting ten year old in a novel that I've read for a while.
This is essentially a story about how each character's lives are complicated because of August's physical deformities and how it affects them differently. It's a story about how much we need to accept the truth and realise that because we feel a certain way that could be deemed by society as a horrible way to feel, doesn't make us bad people. And those feelings, in some cases, can eventually go away. It's how we regard others and their differences and likeness to us. Palacio presents us with the truth, and tells us that whilst the truth may be an ugly thing to accept (much like August's facial deformities), accepting that it exists as a part of you but does not define you will help you to grow as a person.
The ending of this book was utterly heartwarming and rounded up each character's personal development perfectly. And I can't help but think I learnt a little something from this book too about accepting my own ugly truths.
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