Born with a facial deformity that initially prevented his attendance at public school, Auggie Pullman enters the fifth grade at Beecher Prep and struggles with the dynamics of being both new and different, in a sparsely written tale about acceptance and self-esteem.
This is a fantastic read. It’s one of those books that changes you. I like that Palacio gives us the story through Auggie- Auggie (And Via at certain points) tells us the story from his 10-year-old perspective. Auggie’s story is unique, but at the same time it’s a story that we can all relate to. Auggie struggles with physical challenges that most of us don’t, but I don’t think the book is supposed to be about the physical challenges. It’s really about the emotional battles he faces that we all encounter. What’s more, it’s a book that reminds us that others are going through silent challenges too. Wonder is a story that forces us to reconsider how we are treating those that are in our lives. Auggie is physically deformed because of birth and development complications, but he is a strong individual that speaks to us about the unfairness, bullying, betrayal, happiness, and love that we all go through.