Wonder #BookReview #wonder #bookworm #rjpalacio @knopfbfyr #mglit #middlegradefiction

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

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

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

About: Wonder is a middle grade fiction written by R. J. Palacio. It was reissued on 2/14/2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, hardcover, 320 pages. The genres are middle grade fiction, contemporary, and social themes. This book is intended for readers ages 8 to 12, grades 3 to 7. There are a few books in this series: book 1 is Wonder, book 1.5-1.7 is Auggie and Me, We’re All Wonder is a picture book, White Bird, and The Wonder Journal. According to the publisher’s website, “Penguin Random House is the international home to nearly 275 editorially and creatively independent publishing imprints. Together, our imprints publish over 70,000 digital and 15,000 print titles annually, with more than 100,000 eBooks available worldwide.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Wonder on 4/4/2022 and finished it on 4/15/2022. A fantastic read! I loved how the characters sounded like they were talking to readers. That made the read very easy and fast paced. I enjoyed each and everyone’s views. Each character was well developed. I liked how the author portrayed each kid’s personality. Some kids were nice and some weren’t. Some were only nice in front of adults. I liked Summer. She’s very mature for her age. She didn’t fall into peer pressure on having a boyfriend or become part of the popular group. She also gave August a chance because he was alone. I loved August’s family. They’re definitely a role model for a loving family. It’s good for young readers to get to know different types of family in this book besides the perfect loving family. I also enjoyed the friendship story.

This book started with August aka Auggie, 10. He’s been homeschooled this whole time. He has had multiple surgeries since he was born. He was born with a cleft palate and other small anomalies. His parents decided to send him to school starting fifth grade. He wasn’t ready because he’s afraid of bullying. His mom took him to see the school anyway and he got to meet three students in his grade: Jack, Julian, and Charlotte. They gave him the grand tour. He decided then that he would go to school because he thought Jack was nice. The second view was Olivia aka Via, 14, Auggie’s older sister. Via grew up orbiting the sun who’s Auggie and she’s okay with it. Her brother needed his parents’ attention and Via grew up independent of her parents’ guidance and hands-on. The third view was Summer, 10. Summer sat with Auggie at lunch that first day because she felt bad for him. Later she continued to sit with him because he’s nice and fun. They hang out at each other’s house after school and do homework together. Their moms became friends. The fourth view was Jack. Jack befriended August in the beginning because he was asked to and he felt bad. Then he fell out of friendship with August because he failed the peer pressure. Later he defended August in a surprising way and earned his friendship back. The fifth view was Justin, Via’s boyfriend. He came from a divorced parents where his family was the opposite of overprotective as compared to August’s family. The sixth view was Miranda, an old best friend of Via. Via thought her best friend changed starting high school and felt upset and left out so their friendship became distant. Miranda had her reasons. This book followed August surviving fifth grade as a new student at an institution with a facial anomaly.

Wonder was well written and a fun and inspiring read. I’m glad my 10 year old loved reading this book and series. The teacher’s precepts were great. I liked how caring the school director was. The story on bullying was good. I dislike bullying but they exist in real life so it’s good for young readers to get a glimpse of it. This book was packed with good advices about being kind and being good as well as having sympathy for others. This book was inspiring also because August was brave to stop homeschooling and start learning at an institution where he’ll be the center of attention and not at all in a good way. But he survived the whole school year and as time went by, good win over bad and that was so heartwarming. I cried at many parts in this story. We don’t get to choose how we look like after we are born so it’s sad when some of us don’t born looking normal. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books. I have read the picture book for my toddler before and loved it. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or Penguin’s website

About the Author:

R. J. Palacio is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonder, which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. The book’s message inspired the Choose Kind movement and has been embraced by readers around the world, with the book published in over 50 languages. Wonder was made into a blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay. Palacio’s other bestselling books include Pony, 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts, Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, the picture book We’re All Wonders, and the graphic novel White Bird, which is currently being filmed as a major motion picture starring Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren. Palacio lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. (Photo and info obtained from Penguin’s website).

More Information about Penguin Random House Children’s Books

Website: https://www.rhcbooks.com | Instagram: www.Instagram.com/knopfkids | Twitter: www.twitter.com/knopfbfyr

***I’m reading a book I bought with my own money. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,

Jasmine