From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Wonder (Wonder, #1)

R.J. Palacio

Start date: January 18, 2013

Finish date: April 4, 2013

Discussion: Newbery 2013

Why we're reading this: Winner of our Mock Newbery.
Honors:
The One and Only Ivan
Splendors and Glooms
Bomb: The Race to Build--and S…more
[close] Winner of our Mock Newbery.
Honors:
The One and Only Ivan
Splendors and Glooms
Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 4 topics — 554 comments total

Newbery 2013

* The Hunt Begins...
By Kristen · 223 posts · 771 views

last updated Jan 30, 2013 09:32AM

2013 Newbery Awards
By Kristen · 35 posts · 325 views

last updated May 19, 2013 12:00PM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Oct 28, 2013 Jan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I don’t know why it took me so long to finally get around to reading this book. Just about everyone I know has read it and loved it, and It’s the kind of book that I usually love, but for some reason I just kept bypassing it on the bookshelf and picking up other books to read instead. I have no idea why I waited until now to read this absolutely beautiful, touching, heartfelt, and amazing book. After I finished the book I called up a friend who had just read it the week before. She said somethin I don’t know why it took me so long to finally get around to reading this book. Just about everyone I know has read it and loved it, and It’s the kind of book that I usually love, but for some reason I just kept bypassing it on the bookshelf and picking up other books to read instead. I have no idea why I waited until now to read this absolutely beautiful, touching, heartfelt, and amazing book. After I finished the book I called up a friend who had just read it the week before. She said something that I had to agree with. She said that if everyone in the world could read this book, that we could heal the world. I know it’s not as simple as “read a book, heal the world”, but I know what she meant because I had some of the same feelings while reading this book. What I got out of it and my friend did too, was just how we all need to be start being kinder to each other; stop letting our differences get in the way, and begin seeing each other for the wondrous human beings that we are. I don’t know if anyone else felt different when they finished reading this book, or if they saw things a bit differently, but I noticed that I did. I came away from the book wanting to be friendlier and kinder and to smile more at people. Not that I wasn’t a kind, friendly person who smiled before. But there’s always room for improvement. I know I can get lost in my head sometimes and walk around not noticing others. I’m making more of a conscious effort now to look and smile at others when I’m in the grocery store or getting a coffee, to say hi to people I pass on the street, and to tell them to have a nice day. Will my doing this change their life? Probably not. But maybe I’ll get a smile back and that person will pass that smile on to a few others and they’ll do the same, and maybe, just maybe, one more person will end that day thinking the world isn’t such a bad place after all, that there are still some kind people out there. Maybe if we could all become a little kinder and gentler, then the world could too. I know. Sounds too simple doesn’t it? But that’s one of the things I got from this book. Other people got other things, but for me it was just one word. Kindness.

One last thing. Those who know me or have read a number of my reviews, know that I can get terribly weepy while reading books. I cry at books, movies, TV shows. I even cry at those commercials they show during the Olympics. I had a friend one time get so embarrassed when I started crying at the end of the movie E.T. that she got up out of her seat and moved to another part of the theater! So I always tell myself not to read a book in a public place if I think it’s going to have parts where I’ll get all emotional. So of course I decided to read this book in Starbucks. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was weepy for the last 100 pages of the book. Actually I think it was 97 pages. I would just get over the last emotional scene (kind of) and think I was all done with the tears when here comes another one. And they just kept on coming. I knew people were looking at me and wondering what was going on. One of the baristas walked past me as she was taking out the trash and stopped to ask if I was okay, which was sweet of her. So be prepared. This one is going to take hold of your heart and not let go. If I could give it more than 5 stars I certainly would. Highly recommended.
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2012 Krystal rated it it was amazing

Maybe the front-runner for the Newbery, this is a fantastic book and I would be happy to see it win. It's not perfect, and I felt like the ending was a bit too perfect and feel-good (unbelievable even), but I still loved it and won't soon forget it. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Holy Crap. I love this book.

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 26, 2012 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jfic

Reading this was hard. The story gets sad, then sadder, then funny, but then really upsetting (over and over). There are some happy and great moments too, and, in a non-preachy way, it makes the reader think about compassion, empathy and being a decent person toward others. This is one of the best new novels written for kids, or adults.

Switching between characters' points of view was surprising to me, but worked really well. I especially liked the character of Jack and his narration. Also, nice ...more

Like · see review

May 14, 2013 Michelle rated it really liked it

I listened to this book. I think perhaps reading this one would be a better choice. It took me awhile to get used to the voice used for the main character. It was so distracting at first I thought I was going to just forget about it. After awhile I was able to move on and just get into the story, plus the characters who speak change throughout the book.

This is a book written for elementary/middle school level, but it has a great message, actually several of them. Sadly I think perhaps it is a l ...more

Like · see review

Nov 07, 2013 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bullying, bravery, middle-grade, friendship, family, gr-2015-challenge

Wow. Just wow.

This book, told from multiple viewpoints, is amazing. The characters are believable and rounded out. There is character development and realism. It was touching and funny and made me cry. Then, the last portion (told from Julian's point of view) turned it all upside down and really made you think! This is a great book to read with your kids (or anyone!) and discuss differences and judgment and how everyone is fighting their own demons. It's a great book to discuss patience and tole ...more

Like · see review

Mar 20, 2013 Marie rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book. My hope is that there really are kind people like this out there, especially kids. The only thing that bothered me just a little is that the kids seemed older than they were, more like 6th or 7th graders. But that didn't interfere with my loving this book. ...more

Like · see review

Dec 24, 2013 Launna rated it really liked it

It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. The style is different from anything I've read in awhile. About halfway through the book, the author switches to where she tells the same story from a different persons point of view in successive chapters. I actually liked that. The characters were believable and I really enjoyed getting to know the main character's best friend. A good story about how to overcome challenges, and a good reminder about bei ...more

Like · see review

Dec 28, 2016 Meg rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This book is so special and wonderful. I cried wet happy tears through much of the last third. I would give it 6 stars if I could.

"Kinder than necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed." ...more

Like · see review