Book Review (55).

Wonder

by R.J. Palacio

Publication: 14th February 2012

Publisher: Random House Australia

Pages: 315

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Appropriate: Middle Grade

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th 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?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

My Thoughts.

I can't remember the last time I got so emotionally involved in a book, this story didn't just leave me a crying mess it broke my heart a little too, and I couldn't have picked a better ending for this fantastic book.

We have August (Auggie) ten years old a regular kid who's funny, really sweet loves his Xbox, Star Wars and reading but there's one thing that stands him apart from every other ten year old his face is deformed, he has had twenty seven surgeries on his face since he was born but he's still left with facial deformities, his eyes are halfway down his face, he has a hole inside his mouth so he can only chew with his front teeth, he has no cheekbones so his face is all sucked in and people describe it as if he'd been in a fire and his face has melted and he has pretty much no ears but can still hear.

After being home schooled all his life his parents decide to enrol him in grade 5 at school but Auggie doesn't want to go because he knows the reactions he'll get, the same ones he's been getting all his life from both children who sometimes scream when they see his face and adults who should know better but move themselves and their kids away when the see him.

Auggie also wore an astronaut helmet two years straight so no one could see his face.

While at his school to meet the principal before school starts he's introduced to three kids Jack, Julian and Charlotte who were asked to come in on their holidays to show Auggie around, and of course like most people are taken aback at his appearance, school starts and Auggie is excited he sits next to Jack but Julian is a mean boy and makes remarks that Auggie knows are directed at him, lunchtime comes and Auggie is sitting all alone while everyone is staring not wanting to get close in case they could somehow catch something off him because of his face which later becomes known as the Plague where everyone goes out of their way not to touch him, a girl called Summer sits down with him after initially feeling sorry for him but soon finds herself enjoying his company and becoming friends.

Anyone who decides to be friends with Auggie is ostracised thanks to Julian, him being in the popular clique.

One of the most emotional parts for me was Halloween, students were allowed to go to school in costume and at the last minute Auggie ran out of time to put his costume on so he put on his Bleeding Scream costume from the previous year and because he had a mask on no one recognized him and he overheard someone who he thought was a friend calling him names, so being all upset he pretended he was sick so he could go home,.

Just the anguish he went through wondering why he couldn't have a normal face like everybody else, even going camping on a school trip and he gets picked on by a bunch of kids from another school after he's been having such a good time.

The end I loved and I was crying tears of happiness for an ending that was perfect in my opinion and for one of the lines his Mum says to him"Thank you Auggie, for everything you've given us, for coming into our lives, for being you" (wow I started crying just typing that).

For all those people who have ever been bullied and who judge people on the way they look and yes I'm big enough to admit I've done it, but this book has made me sit and think for those people who have some kind of deformity they are still people too they just look a little different to you and I.

I can't say enough about this book, the writing was flawless and heartfelt and the author is amazing for being able to get into that mindset and believing in a character that just seemed so incredibly real and brave and courageous.

So please read this book it's fantastic and as Auggie would say 'cool beans'.

I give this an outstanding 5/5.

A big thanks to Random House Australia.