Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I feel that Wonder by R. J. Palacio is a book that should be required reading for all humans. Yup, everyone needs to read this book. Teacher, parents, students, and everyone that works with kids should of course read this book, but I can’t think of anyone that would not benefit from Auggie’s story.

August Pullman was born with a severe facial deformity. Wonder is the story of Auggie joining school for the first time in fifth grade. Wonder will rock your world. It will cause you to think about every movement, facial expression, conversation, and ineratction that you have had with kids that are not like “everyone else”. Wonder will change your life.

You must read this book.

You must.

While reading Wonder I kept thinking what people on Heavy Medal (a blog that discusses the Newbery Award)would say about the book. It felt like I was looking for the book’s weakness. Probably has something to do with the fact that I read it Newbery weekend. Thankfully, I was able to remind myself that Newbery really doesn’t mean as much as some(me) make it out to be.

My job isn’t to look for faults in a book. My job is to enjoy the story, savor the message, and fall in love with the characters.

My calling in life is to put books like Wonder in the hands of children. Being a kid is hard, and books like Wonder will help kids, learn how to be better people. I’m 30 and I’m a better person because I read Wonder.
I had to stop reading Wonder with 3 pages left because I was sobbing. The thought of the book ending broke my heart. I didn’t want Auggie’s story to end. Three days later I was able to finish this 5 star read.

I’ve realized Auggie’s story will never end. I’ll carry his story, and what I learned from this beautiful fifth grade boy, into my classroom every day for the rest of my career.

You need to read this book. Now.