R. J. Palacio: Wonder (AudiobookFormat, 2017)
[sound recording] /, 12 pages
English language
Published Dec. 30, 2017
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. 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? Wonder, now a #1 New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. R. J. Palacio has crafted an uplifting novel full of wonderfully realistic family interactions, lively school scenes, and writing that shines with spare emotional power.
Solid feel-good story with incredibly short chapters and several perspectives. There are a few unanswered questions, and the last major incident a little too convenient, but overall this is a 4 star read. My daughter thinks 4.5 stars; I mostly agree, but round down. My favorite part was the precepts.
The author has released add-on stories, the first as an ebook which I am reading now.
