Wonder – By R. J. Palacio (Hardcover)

Product Description

About the Book

Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.

Book Synopsis

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

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. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” –indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Review Quotes

#1 New York Times bestseller
USA Today bestseller
Time Magazine’s 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time
New York Times Book Review Notable Book
Washington Post Best Kids’ Book

A School Library Journal Best of Children’s Books

A Publishers Weekly Best of Children’s Books

A Kirkus Reviews Best of Children’s Books

A Booklist Best of Children’s Books

Slate:
Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year.

Entertainment Weekly:
In a wonder of a debut, Palacio has written a crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.

The New York Times:
Rich and memorable…It’s Auggie and the rest of the children who are the real heart of ‘Wonder, ‘ and Palacio captures the voices of girls and boys, fifth graders and teenagers, with equal skill.

The Wall Street Journal
What makes R.J. Palacio’s debut novel so remarkable, and so lovely, is the uncommon generosity with which she tells Auggie’s story…The result is a beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation.”

The Huffington Post:
It’s in the bigger themes that Palacio’s writing shines. This book is a glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and most importantly, kindness.

Full of heart, full of truth, Wonder is a book about seeing the beauty that’s all around us. I dare you not to fall in love with Auggie Pullman.
– Rebecca Stead, Newbery award-winning author of When You Reach Me

It is the deceptive simplicity and honesty of the work that make Wonder so memorable. Every single character seems real and well drawn and oh-so human…This book is beautiful. – Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery award-winning author of Bud, Not Buddy

A beautiful story of kindness and courage. There are many real and well-developed characters, and they each have their shining moments. Of course, Auggie shines the brightest. – Clare Vanderpool, Newbery award-winning author of Moon Over Manifest

Wonder is a beautifully told story about heartache, love, and the value of human life. One comes away from it wanting to be a better person. – Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery honor-winning author of Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods

Wonder is a shining jewel of a story that cannot help but encourage readers of all ages to do better, to be better, in how they treat others in life. I’m totally in love with this novel. – Trudy Ludwig, anti-bullying advocate and author of My Secret Bully, Confessions of a Former Bully, Better Than You, and Just Kidding

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“Few first novels pack more of a punch: it’s a rare story with the power to open eyes–and hearts–to what it’s like to be singled out for a difference you can’t control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd.”

Starred Review, Booklist
“Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal
Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters…A well-written, thought-provoking book.

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder.”

About The Author

R. J. PALACIO lives in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Wonder is her first novel. She did not design the cover, but she sure does love it.

Learn more about R.J. Palacio and the world of Wonder at wonderthebook.com.

Product Highlights

• Debut novel from Palacio
• Follow the story of Auggie, told by himself and others, as he’s the new kid in school
• Recommended for teens