Tween Tuesday: Wonder by RJ Palacio

4 chocolate whoopie pies!

Cover Love:  Yes.  I love the colors and the simplicity.  I think it is very eye catching!

Why I Wanted to Read This:

The buzz!  I have seen rave review after rave review.  I brought my library copy home with me for the summer and read it right away!  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

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.

I Kept Reading Because: You just can't stop.  You have to know what happens to Auggie!

Romance?: Nope.

What I Liked:

This was just a well written book!  It was so realistic.  Auggie faced so many trials and sometimes acted like a baby (because he had been babied most of his life) ad sometimes rose to the occasion!  His family was so wonderful.  They handled how he was with humor and love and togetherness.

I liked how the author gave us different points of view.  The book was divided up into sections and each one was told from one of the children's points of view.  And they were so honest and touching.  Most of them don't know how to deal with their feelings and thoughts about Auggie but they keep trying to figure it out and grow and learn.

The most realistic part is the other kids and students Auggie encounters.  Not everyone of them is nice, but even the mean ones are willing to stand up for him when the time comes.  Most of them just aren't sure how to deal with what they see.  It's all very normal.

It's a moving and wonderful book.  I will be recommending this one for teachers who want a good read-aloud and for those kids who are ready for something to move them!

To Sum Up:  Wonder is just great.  Pick it up this summer!

Book bought for my library.