Wonder Review - R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a very emotional and inspiring book about kindness, friendship, and learning to accept people for who they are. The story follows a boy named August “Auggie” Pullman who was born with a facial difference that makes him look different from most other kids. Because of this, he has had many surgeries and has been homeschooled for most of his life.

When Auggie is ten years old, his parents decide it is finally time for him to go to a real school. He starts fifth grade at Beecher Prep, which makes him very nervous. Auggie knows that people might stare at him or judge him because of the way he looks. On his first days at school, some students are kind to him, but others are not. Some kids whisper about him, avoid sitting near him, or even make mean comments.

Even though school is very difficult at first, Auggie tries his best to be brave. Slowly, he begins to make real friends who see him for who he truly is, not just how he looks. One of his closest friends becomes Jack Will, who stands up for Auggie and supports him when things get tough.

Another interesting part of the book is that the story is told from different characters’ points of view. Besides Auggie, readers also hear from his sister Via and some of his classmates. This helps the reader understand how everyone feels and shows that each person has their own problems and challenges. Via, for example, sometimes feels like she doesn’t get as much attention because her parents have to focus a lot on Auggie’s health.

The characters in the story feel very realistic, and their emotions make the story powerful and relatable. The book shows how bullying can affect someone, but it also shows how kindness and friendship can make a huge difference. Many of the teachers and students learn important lessons about empathy and standing up for others.

One of the best messages in the book is that people should not judge others based on their appearance. It reminds readers that everyone is different, and those differences should be respected. The book also teaches that being kind is one of the most important things a person can do.

Overall, Wonder is a beautiful and meaningful story that makes readers think about how they treat other people. It is both sad and uplifting, and it leaves a strong message about courage, acceptance, and kindness. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers because it is powerful and unforgettable.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is inspiring, emotional, and teaches an important lesson about kindness.