Wonder (Wonder, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jun 01, 2014 Book Concierge rated it really liked it

Shelves: concierge, children-s-literature, library, friendship, coming-of-age, audio, young-adult, new-york, debut

From the book jacket
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school – until now. He’s about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

My reactions
This is a wonderful debut novel dealing with bullying and courage. From the book jacket
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school – until now. He’s about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

My reactions
This is a wonderful debut novel dealing with bullying and courage. Auggie is an endearing 10-year-old, who, despite his extraordinary face, is really just an ordinary kid; he likes ice cream, riding his bike, Star Wars, and his X-Box. But he’s been sheltered at home and doesn’t have all the social skills he needs to navigate the “deep-end-of-the pool” that middle school represents. Still, he’s courageous, resourceful, and knows he can rely on at least one friend who has seen past his face to the find the great kid that he is.

The novel is told from various perspectives. We hear from Auggie, his older sister Via, her boyfriend Justin, and Auggie’s friends Jack and Summer. There are scenes that broke my heart and made me want to jump into the pages of the book to hug Auggie and assure him that things would get better. There are scenes that had me cheering for Auggie and Jack as they took a stand. The ultimate message is clear: We should all strive to be kinder than necessary. It is also uplifting: Everyone in the world should have a standing ovation at least once in their lives.

A couple of things in the story did bother me. No adult stepped in to stop the bullying. Yes, I realize that Auggie and his friends refused to go to any adult to report what was happening, but it’s clear by the end of the novel that at least one adult recognized the pattern of behavior, and apparently did nothing. I was also bothered by Via’s troubles as she also found herself an outsider in a new school. Parents that were portrayed as sensitive and nurturing seemed to not notice at all that their daughter was struggling and so very unhappy. There were times when I felt worse for Via than for Auggie.

But this is a book written for a middle-school audience and I think the message is one that is empowering to children. You can choose to be nice despite how others treat you, and your worth is not dependent on how popular you are, or on who finds you attractive. Important precepts for all of us to adopt.
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6 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2016 Stacy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: five-stars, read-in-2016, childrens, e-books, books-to-movies

I wouldn't repeat the junior high experience for a million dollars. Not even for a billion, trillion dollars. Technically, this was fifth grade, but it really felt like junior high to me.

I loved the characters. It was a really sweet book.

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Mar 30, 2013 Joanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star, ugly-cry

Everyone should read this book

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2016 Susan rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, juvenile, jcms-book-club

I had to get pretty far into this book before I decided I like it ok. For one thing, it was written very simply, as though it was for pre-middle-school students, but it was peppered with unrealistically mature statements. For example, "It's not that I mind being Auggie's sister; I just don't want that to be what defines me." What middle school kid talks (or thinks) like that?! And her younger brother Auggie says something similar.

The story and the characters eventually won me over. In particular ...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Amy Hayes rated it really liked it

Shelves: kaia-s-4th-grade-book-club

A wonderful story with an underlying message to choose kindness and to even go a step further and be kinder than kind. It's true that you remember when people are not kind and no one wants to be remembered for the nasty things they did or said. August was a wonderful, strong character who faced many challenged with grace and bravery. Definitely recommend for children entering the hard stage of friendships and self identity. ...more

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Oct 17, 2017 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: d-favorites, d-recommendations, ya-all-recs, ya-recs-males, ya-xmiddle-grade, ya-recs-realistic-fiction, ya-recs-contemporary, ya-recs-high-interest, ya-recs-disability, ya-zstandalone

4.5 stars. Adorable. Auggie has a facial deformity. Having been homeschooled most of his life due to medical related issues, he is finally entering school for the first time for 5th grade. The story of his first year told through several different perspectives. Also, shows the development and changes his family and friends experience and their perspective on Auggie.

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