I just finished this book and loved it so much! It should be required reading for every middle-school age child and every parent. It subtly taught so many important lessons like kindness, love, integrity, intelligence, empathy, and honesty. I cannot say enough great things about the characters and their real interactions! The level of this book is Grade 6 but its message is universal and could be read by kids older or younger and would be great for a book club. I am planning on reading it out loud to my boys this week. Grab it for your kids before school starts again or for yourself if you don’t have kids…you will not regret it!
Goodreads.com summary: August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels
Frequently Asked Questions: Wonder Book Review
What age is Wonder appropriate for?
Roughly a sixth grade reading level, and it works from about age 8 up through adults. The content is clean. What is hard about it is emotional, not graphic.
Is Wonder a good family read aloud?
One of the best I have used. Short chapters, rotating perspectives, and a built-in reason to stop and talk every few pages.
Should I read the book before the movie?
I would. The book gives you far more of the other kids’ points of view than a film has room for, and that is the part that stays with you.
I read this book at the suggestion of the school librarian where I work and I agree it is a very compelling book. I encountered your blog recently and am enjoying all the great information!
Wonder is such an amazing book! And I definitely agree that it should be required reading 🙂 I am also insanely impressed that the author wrote this between the hours of midnight at 2 AM when her children were asleep. Totally inspiring.
My daughter's teacher read this to them last year & Kylie insisted we get a copy. Then she told me I needed to read it. Loved it!
Thanks, Brooke! I earned my free book from the summer reading program and was not sure what to choose. This is one of the choices so I will be ordering it today.
I just started reading this last week!
I just requested this book at the library! Thanks for the suggestion! Any good chapter book suggestions that I could read to my 7 & 5-year-old kids? I'm not into books and don't know of any good books to start them off on to get them hooked/interested in books!
Hi Carla! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words. Excited to keep up with you!
I cannot believe she wrote it between midnight at 2am. Great inspiration to just tackle what you are meant to do. The world is a better place because she wrote that book!
Such a great book for a teacher to read. They all should!!
Oh yes! you will all love it. My kids are really enjoying it being read aloud too.
Hey Dani!
I would try anything from The Riot Brothers Series, The Tale of Desperaux, or Ralph S. Mouse. You also might try the National Geographic Big Book of Animals. My kids loved me reading each little chapter to them. If I think of others, I will let you know! I think it's great that you are trying to get your kids interested in something that you are not into. It's hard to do (as I have learned) but so worth it.