Feature Book of the Week # 13 Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Tuesday, December 3, 2013


Feature Book of the Week

Wonder
by 
R. J. Palacio

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.

About the Author

I live in NYC with my husband, two sons, and two dogs. For many years, I was an art director and book jacket designer, designing covers for countless well-known and not so well-known writers in every genre of fiction and nonfiction. I always wanted to write, though. I kept waiting for the perfect time in my life to start writing, but after more than twenty years of designing book jackets for other people, I realized that the perfect time would never really present itself. It's never the perfect time to start writing a book. So I  decided to just go for it. Wonder is my first novel. And no, I didn't design the cover, but I sure do love it. 

13 Delicious Comments:

Unknown said...

wonder is realistic fiction - it portrays how middle schoolers can be cruel but also kind and understanding. auggie seems like a normal kid who is very brave. we liked the puns auggie's dad used in the book

ladue middle school

Anonymous said...

Wonder is one of my favorite books! Auggie is very brave when he goes to middle school for the first time... especially with his deformed face. My favorite part of the book is the different point Of views. I like it because you can see how different people, like Auggie's parents, friends, and sister, see Auggie and how his facial deformity effects them all.

-Wentzville Middle School

Anonymous said...

Was Auggie’s birth defect a real genetic abnormality? I enjoyed how the author made the kids seem real; they weren’t completely good or bad but in between.
This book was amazing. What I didn’t understand though is why Justin’s point of view was written with lower case I’s and no quotation marks.
I think the way the author wrote out the plot was very creative.
Wonder was brilliant! It had twists and turns that satisfied my own wonders. It made me think in different ways everything is not beautiful. Sometimes the feelings and pain going on in the story relate to me in many ways. It made me giggle and it made my eyes tear up. But as life goes on God gives you strength to pull through it. It was an inspiring book.
Wonder is the feel good book of 2013. It put you into many perspectives. All affected by one different little boy. Many of the obstacles happen to our youth today and addresses them in very unique ways.
Hazelwood North Middle

Anonymous said...

I liked how it switched narrators for the different sections. But I found that some were hard to read than others. I definitely liked August's narration the best.

St. Clare of Assisi

Anonymous said...

WONDER! Oh gosh I love this book soooo much! I love every character, the plot, and everything about this. It's very surprising how Auggie's condition can affect so many people. And I feel really bad for August. Just because he's different doesn't mean he has to be stared at. But I love how he handles the whole thing like a mature person would. Wonder really makes you look at life in a different perspective. Like, you think life is crappy. Well, just look how it could be worse, and look how this person managed to make this good! It's really a great read. I loved it!

-Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I felt that Wonder was realistic in all it's ways. I thought that Auggie was really brave in WANTING to go to school, even though he had a facial deformality. But, I love how everyone comes to love him, despite his short-comings.

Hazelwood Southeast Middle School

Anonymous said...

This book is so beautiful. A very nice read. I really enjoyed this one! :)

-Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I think everyone should read Wonder, because it shows us that you shouldn't treat people differently, even if they are a little different. They are human beings too and they have feelings. I think Wonder showed a great example of that in Auggie's point of view. Wonder shows us that everyone is unique, and that is a good thing! :)

~Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

AWW I LOVE WONDER!!

~hazelwood west middle

Anonymous said...

Wonder is EPIC!!!!! EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT!!!!!

-Hazelwood West Middle

Anonymous said...

I saw Wonder all over the place at the book store I went to, and every time I glanced at it, it brought back that heartwarming feeling it brought me when I was reading it. I feel like I should read it again some time :)

-Hazelwood West Middle School

Anonymous said...

I don't know why, but Jack Will is my favorite character! Yeah, you probably won't like him in the beginning, but at the end, you'll probably like him :)

hazelwood west middle school

Anonymous said...

EVERYONE ONE READ THIS BOOK OR I WILL FIND YOU!!!!! (Just Kidding!)

-Hazelwood West Middle :)

(P.S. This book was so good and it made me cry.)

 
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