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

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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

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What Members Thought

Dec 01, 2012 Barbara rated it really liked it

Shelves: animals, teachers, community, friendship, bullies, school, families, self-esteem, death, gifted

Fifth grader Auggie Pullman has been homeschooled all his life, but his mother has decided that attending school will allow him to socialize with others and challenge him academically. Middle grades are tough enough for so-called "normal" kids, but Auggie was born with severe facial deformities. Despite several surgeries, his facial appearance is so startling that children and adults stare at him on the street the first time they see him. Those who are familiar with Auggie don't really pay atten Fifth grader Auggie Pullman has been homeschooled all his life, but his mother has decided that attending school will allow him to socialize with others and challenge him academically. Middle grades are tough enough for so-called "normal" kids, but Auggie was born with severe facial deformities. Despite several surgeries, his facial appearance is so startling that children and adults stare at him on the street the first time they see him. Those who are familiar with Auggie don't really pay attention to his appearance, but he knows that middle school will be different. Still, you never know how others may react. It turns out that attending school and dealing with all the stares and averted eyes is one of the toughest challenges Auggie will ever face. Two classmates, Summer and Jack, befriend him, but most of the others avoid him and even play a game of Plague in which anyone who touches Auggie has thirty seconds in which to wash their hands. This is one of those novels that allows its characters to rise to the occasion, to be better than they were before or better than they might have expected. While Auggie's bravery is unquestionable, so are the courageous acts of his friends, classmates, and family members. Then, too, Mr. Browne's precepts serve as excellent life lessons, encouraging acts of kindess and reminding his students to take care of others. While he might not have had Auggie in mind when he introduces these monthly precepts, it's possible that they worked their messages subliminally in the minds and hearts of his students and became more than merely words. While the book contains its share of bullies and mean folks, there are many characters with kind hearts to offset them. Although I enjoyed this book thoroughly, I'm not sure that the inclusion of so many points of view helps the story. Some sections are stronger than others, offering a different take on earlier events, but others seem to introduce characters who are only tangentially connected to Auggie. By painting Auggie's sister realistically, she, too, is allowed to show a human side through which she resents the attention given to her brother and longs for a fresh start. Additionally, while many will applaud the feel good ending with Auggie winning a special prize and gaining acceptance, I felt that section went on for a little bit too long. Still, the book moved me while reminding me of how quickly we judge others based on appearance or what we think we know about them. Once again, assumptions lead to misunderstandings and distances. ...more

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May 13, 2015 Wendy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: we-need-diverse-books, young-adult, recommended-for-middle-schoolers, in-my-classroom-library

All right, all right, it's as good as they say. I had put it off until I was worried that it would be a let-down, but, like San Francisco, Prague, and The Grapes of Wrath, it more than lived up to the hype.

We fear "the other"--yet when we actually get to know another individual, they are rarely as "other" as we thought.

I loved that the book had multiple points of view, and I appreciated the humor in what could have otherwise been an after-school special kind of story. I would have like to hear ...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Holy Crap. I love this book.

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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

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Jan 23, 2013 Beth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, young-adult

Remember how when you were in middle school/junior high you thought something terrible was wrong with you and so no one would like you? That's the way August Pullman feels, but in his case the problem is very visible and very real. Born with a severe facial deformity, even after 22 surgeries, August enters 5th grade with a face that looks like it melted. Small kids run from him and sometimes he causes nightmares. But he is just a normal, smart kid.

Palacio makes brilliant use of first person poi ...more

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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

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Nov 07, 2013 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade, family, friendship, bullying, bravery, 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

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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

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