Wonder (Wonder #1)

by R J Palacio (Author)

Wonder (Wonder #1)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Wonder
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. 


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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-7--Due to a rare genetic disorder, Auggie Pullman's head is malformed, his facial features are misshapen, and he has scars from corrective surgery. After much discussion and waffling, he and his parents decide it's time for him to go to a regular school for the fifth grade instead of being homeschooled. All his life Auggie has seen the shocked expressions and heard the whispers his appearance generates, and he has his coping strategies. He knows that except for how he looks, he's a normal kid. What he experiences is typical middle school--the good and the bad. Meanwhile, his beautiful sister is starting high school and having her own problems. She's finding that friendships change and, though it makes her feel guilty, she likes not being labeled as Auggie's sister. Multiple people tell this story, including Auggie, two of his new school friends, his sister, and his sister's former best friend. Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Everyone grows and develops as the story progresses, especially the middle school students. This is a fast read and would be a great discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance. A well-written, thought-provoking book.--Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Auggie Pullman was born with severe facial deformities--no outer ears, eyes in the wrong place, his skin "melted"--and he's learned to steel himself against the horrified reactions he produces in strangers. Now, after years of homeschooling, his parents have enrolled him in fifth grade. In short chapters told from various first-person perspectives, debut author Palacio sketches his challenging but triumphant year. Though he has some expectedly horrible experiences at school, Auggie has lucked out with the adults in his life--his parents love him unconditionally, and his principal and teachers value kindness over all other qualities. While one bully manages, temporarily, to turn most of Auggie's classmates against him (Auggie likens this to becoming the human equivalent of "the Cheese Touch," a clever Diary of a Wimpy Kid reference), good wins out. Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes--and hearts--to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd. Ages 8-12. Agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. (Feb.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

#1 New York Times bestseller

A School Library Journal Best of Children's Books

A Publishers Weekly Best of Children's Books

A Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books

A Booklist Best of Children's Books

"
Wonder is essentially ... a wonder. It's well-written, engaging, and so much fun to read that the pages almost turn themselves. More than that, Wonder touches the heart in the most life-affirming, unexpected ways, delivering in August Pullman a character whom readers will remember forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book - your life will be better for it." - Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Slate.com:
"Wonder is the best kids' book of the year."

Entertainment Weekly:
"In a wonder of a debut, Palacio has written a crackling page-turner filled with characters you can't help but root for."

The New York Times:
"Rich and memorable...It's Auggie and the rest of the children who are the real heart of 'Wonder, ' and Palacio captures the voices of girls and boys, fifth graders and teenagers, with equal skill."

The Wall Street Journal
"What makes R.J. Palacio's debut novel so remarkable, and so lovely, is the uncommon generosity with which she tells Auggie's story...The result is a beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation."

The Huffington Post:
"It's in the bigger themes that Palacio's writing shines. This book is a glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and most importantly, kindness."

"Full of heart, full of truth, Wonder is a book about seeing the beauty that's all around us. I dare you not to fall in love with Auggie Pullman."
- Rebecca Stead, Newbery award-winning author of When You Reach Me

"It is the deceptive simplicity and honesty of the work that make Wonder so memorable. Every single character seems real and well drawn and oh-so human...This book is beautiful." - Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery award-winning author of Bud, Not Buddy

"A beautiful story of kindness and courage. There are many real and well-developed characters, and they each have their shining moments. Of course, Auggie shines the brightest." - Clare Vanderpool, Newbery award-winning author of Moon Over Manifest

"Wonder is a beautifully told story about heartache, love, and the value of human life. One comes away from it wanting to be a better person." - Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery honor-winning author of Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods

"Wonder is a shining jewel of a story that cannot help but encourage readers of all ages to do better, to be better, in how they treat others in life. I'm totally in love with this novel." - Trudy Ludwig, anti-bullying advocate and author of My Secret Bully, Confessions of a Former Bully, Better Than You, and Just Kidding

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
"Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes—and hearts—to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd."

Starred Review, Booklist
"Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community."

Starred Review, School Library Journal
"Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters...A well-written, thought-provoking book."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
"A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder."

this book was read in our class and we all loved it

R J Palacio
Mientras R. J. Palacio se dedicaba a diseñar preciosas cubiertas para cientos de autores, soñaba con escribir una novela algún día. Sin embargo, le parecía que nunca llegaba el momento hasta que se dio cuenta de que lo único que tenía que hacer era empezar. Wonder. La lección de August, su primera novela, se convirtió en un fenómeno mundial que ha inspirado a más de un millón de personas. A este título le siguieroin Wonder. La historia de Julián, Wonder. El juego de Christopher y Wonder. Charlotte tiene la palabra.

Cuando Palacio decidió escribir El libro de preceptos del señor Browne, pidió ayuda a sus lectores: en dos semanas, había recibido más de mil postales con preceptos procedentes de todo el mundo.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780375869020
Lexile Measure
790
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date
February 14, 2012
Series
Wonder
BISAC categories
JUV015020 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
Library of Congress categories
Schools
Middle schools
Self-acceptance
Abnormalities, Human
Manhattan (New York, N.Y.)
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Commended 2013 - 2013
Georgia Children's Book Award
Winner 2014 - 2014
Bluebonnet Awards
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
Winner 2014 - 2014
Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens
Recommended 2013 - 2013
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award
Winner 2015 - 2015

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