Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palalcio is a heart-warming novel about young August or Auggie Pullman. Auggie is a normal kid, well, almost normal. He has a facial deformity that leaves most people gawking. They way that people treat Auggie has always gotten on his sister, Via’s nerves, so when Auggie is about to start the fifth grade and school for the first time because his mom has been homeschooling him- naturally Via, Mom and Dad are all petrified that he will be teased. The tour of the school does anything but calm their nerves. August meets Charlotte, Julian and Jack-Will. Charlotte is a goody-goody but when the time comes she does the right thing even if she has to break a rule. Julian is the popular mean boy who starts the Plague and the War. Jack-Will becomes Auggie’s best friend through the ups and downs of fifth grade and life. This book is told from many different perspectives so the reader is able to see all the sides of the story.

Over the course of the novel Auggie becomes stronger. He learns that friends can be do the wrong thing, but if they are a real friend they will be able to make it up and do the right thing. When Auggie hears Julian say that he is only friends with Auggie because he has to be August is crushed. August says that he never wants to go back to school But, being brave he makes it with the help of his new friend Summer. Later he finds out that Jack-Will stood up for him. Being courageous August survives the Plague where no one in the whole school will touch him. He also survives the War where Julian and his minions try, but fail to turn everyone against August, Jack-Will and Summer. Over all Auggie becomes stronger over the course of this novel.

I think that this book is good for ages eleven and up because of some of the topics like bulling. The novel is great for anyone who has trouble fitting in or has been bullied. I highly recommend this book.