Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder is the story of a boy with a craniofacial abnormality and his family and friends…and sometimes enemies. The book covers August's first year in a traditional school in 5th grade. August is a well-written, awesome character--scared, yet brave when it counts; sweet, yet tough when it's needed; odd, yet completely normal. He's also an outcast, due to others' reactions to his "deformity."

The overarching themes of the book--be nice to everyone and don't judge a book by its cover--are pretty obvious. Palacio pretty much slaps you in the face with the idea that everyone should be nice to everyone else. I think it's a great message to send to kids, but perhaps a bit too sunshiny.

The reality is that not everyone is nice to everyone else, and you have to know how to respond to that. Her characters don't always take the high road when they're bullied, but they do try--I'll give them that! And they're 12, what do you expect?

A friend (not pictured) who is a teacher, recommended Wonder to me, saying that her students love this book. I'm glad to see that there are children out there who are learning not to fear difference!

~8/10~