Wonder

Every once in a while you read a book that you know will stick with you, a book that provides a sniffle, a smile, and a reflection on what you want to be like in this life…  welcome to Wonder by RJ Palacio.  Yes, the title best represents the feeling most fitting to what can happen when we take life’s challenge and overcome them, yes it is a wonder.  So too in this young adult book, which follows the story of August Pullman, affectionately known as Auggie, who was born with a rare craniofacial deformity which leaves him with a severely deformed face.  Auggie is home schooled through fourth grade by his mother, but prior to the beginning of the school year his parents want him to go to a regular middle school, Beecher Prep located in NYC.  After a tour and meeting some of the students, he relents and decides to attend.  What happens next is the challenge of a lifetime, being in middle school bombarded by stares and comments that can rip the heart of a ten year-old.  And so it begins, but there is some kindness around, namely Summer, a young female classmate, and Jack, a young boy who befriends Auggie.  The story is uniquely presented from the perspectives of the various children in the story, Auggie’s older sister, Via, her boyfriend, Justin, his two friends, and Via’s friend Miranda.  Each character seemingly has their own “scares” that hold them back in some way (limited financial means, a physical tick, the fear of others, and tired of being the brunt of others jokes).  The story covers the school year and ends with a twist of learning for all of the characters.  This is one of the “feel-good” books of the decade.  I for one had a tear or two, ok, I do show emotion at times.  Glad I wasn’t reading it on the plane.  The author did an outstanding job of capturing what it is like to be a kid and all that goes with that. This book is a story for all.  The message is simple, kindness matters.  We all are given some challenge in this life, those who succeed are those who reach out to others with a smile, a helping hand, and an attitude that I am no better than anyone else and knowing my scar may not be seen, but it’s there.  I highly recommend this story next time you feel you are “just too good” and need to be brought back to earth, or if you think your life is too hard, there’s someone else whose path is somewhat harder.  I hope that I am in some small way as good of a parent as Auggie’s are… So worth the read!  Thanks for a great suggestion RA!