Wonder R.J. Palacio

Reviewed by- Jacquie F

           How would you feel if you walked into a public place and everyone just stares at you? Or you are a kid at the playground and all the other kids run away from you because they are scared of you?

A fifth grader named August has never been to public school. His facial deformities have been keeping him from going to public school and many other public places. He feels and acts just like any other typical kid but when he goes out in public that all changes. He gets stared at and when he goes to the playground with other kids they run away from him. But, this year was going to be different, for better or for good. August was going to public school.

This book is about August and his struggle to find his “group”, and face bullies in his first year of public school. It is told from multiple people’s point of view including August, his sister Via and a few kids in his grade.

I liked this book a lot because it was told from multiple points of views. When the other did this it helped me understand everyone’s thoughts. It also helped me realize everything typical kids take for granted. It wasn’t even as if he had Autism or Cerebral Palsy or anything along those lines. He only had a few facial deformities and that affects a person so much. I know a lot about special needs and how it affects peoples social lives and daily activities because my mom works at a special needs school but it never occurred to me that something as simple as a facial deformity would affect someone’s social life so much.

Honorable Mention-

Out of My Mind By: Sharon M. Draper