Wonder (Wonder, #1) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Jun 10, 2013 Kath rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A simple, sweet, powerful story. Halfway through the book, I discovered my 11 year old had also read it. We could discuss the book, and I love that.

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Mar 09, 2013 Debbie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: realistic-fiction, choose-kind

WOW. I loved this book.

As a teacher, I see both the kindness and the lack of it in my students every day. Most people, in one way or another, can relate to the experience of dealing with bullies. August (Auggie) Pullman feels it on a whole different level.

Because of a severe facial deformity and his resulting health issues, August has been home-schooled by his mother and is used to the loving cocoon of his family who attempt to protect him from the outside world. Despite the best efforts of his WOW. I loved this book.

As a teacher, I see both the kindness and the lack of it in my students every day. Most people, in one way or another, can relate to the experience of dealing with bullies. August (Auggie) Pullman feels it on a whole different level.

Because of a severe facial deformity and his resulting health issues, August has been home-schooled by his mother and is used to the loving cocoon of his family who attempt to protect him from the outside world. Despite the best efforts of his father, mother, and older sister, August knows how horrified people are when they see his face. He is a completely normal kid on the inside, but people who only see his face tend to turn away from him before he can let them see what a great kid he really is. He loves Halloween because it gives him the freedom to wander the world without having to suffer the horrified glances of strangers. He says, "I wish every day could be Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could walk around and get to know each other before we got to see what we looked like under the masks."

When Auggie's mother decides that he should begin attending school for 5th grade, he worries not only about being the new kid, but about being the new kid with a face that scares small children. I'll avoid spoilers here, but let's just say that if this book doesn't make you shed a few tears, from joy and/or sadness, then you are probably a person I would not like to meet.

Most of the story is told by Auggie, but other narrators to crop up to give their insights into his life. The transitions to other voices were smooth and I found it illuminating to flesh out what those characters were actually thinking and feeling. Auggie is pretty perceptive for a 10-year-old, but he doesn't always get it right.

I am always looking for books to share with my students. Sometimes I find myself settling for simply tempting a kid to read anything at all. It is truly a joy to find a book that can inspire its readers to be better people.

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for readers of all ages. ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 Angie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the story told from different points of view (although I was resistant to the changing POV at first, I loved being able to see situations from different characters' perspective and it really helped round out the story.) I think this is a must-read for everyone. I'll be encouraging my kids to read it for sure!

My favorite Auggie Pullman quote: "“I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once i ...more

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