Wonder | R. J. Palacio

I was a little wary about approaching Wonder. Another book about a child with special needs told from their perspective? Do we really need this?

In the case of August the answer is a resounding – YES!

August’s story is compelling from the word go. He was born with a rare facial disfigurement. He spent his childhood undergoing painful surgeries and treatments. He was home schooled by his mother throughout this period, but at age 10, his family decide that Auggie is ready to go to a regular school.

This is the story of his first year at school.

We see it though his eyes, then his sister, followed by a couple of the kids at school, the sister’s friend & boyfriend and finally back to August. The different perspectives is an effective device for this story – so much of the emotional tension in this book is about how people react when they first see Auggie.

Wonder is an inspiring, heart-warming story about friendship, being true to yourself, kindness and the power of a good teacher to create positive changes.

The sad thing for all of you is that Wonder is not released in Australia by Random House until March 2012. The good thing is that there are plenty of other incredible books out there to read right now – check my drop menus for more fabulous reading options.

Later: B11 read this after I left it lying around in conspicuous places. He’s not a big reader and trying to tempt him with something other than the Wimpy Kid books is challenging. One rainy weekend he gave Wonder a go. AND LOVED IT!!!! He said if all books could be like this, he would read more.

_{I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.}

_{August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.}