Wonder is Wonderful

     So I know that the title is a lousy and tired play on words, but the sentiment is true. Of all the books  have read recently, R.J. Palacio's Wonder is one of, if not the best book I've read this year.

     Wonder tells the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, who was born with a severe facial deformity. He has been homeschooled up until now for health reasons but now is well enough that he can attend a regular school as a fifth grader. As you can imagine, the hardships of middle school are amplified because of August's appearance. Students are hesitant to befriend him, and when one of the popular kids decides that Auggie should be ostracized, he has an even more difficult time making friends. I'm not really giving anything away when I say that Auggie perseveres and ends the year on a positive note, as it is the year's journey and getting to know and empathize with Auggie that compel as much as the success he finds at year's end. 

     Reading this book will make anyone think twice about what life with a disability must be like, and I would hope that it would make people more understanding and compassionate and help them be, as the book says, "kinder than necessary." And, as I have said earlier, it is an excellent read. While reading this book I chuckled, smiled, and cried, and I'm pretty sure that anyone else who reads this book will too. 5 enthusiastic stars!