BOOK REVIEW: Wonder by R.J. Palacio @RJPalacio

Wonder has been on the New York Times Middle Grade Best Sellers list for fifty-five weeks. An odd coincidence, this is exactly as long as John Green’s The Fault in our Stars (I reviewed this book recently) has been on the New York Times Young Adult Best Sellers list. I said in my review of Green’s book that I thought it was the best book of 2013. Well, Wonder is the best fiction book for the middle grade that I have read this year.

Wonder is the story of August Pullman and his first year in a private middle school. Auggie was born with a chromosome disorder that results in severe facial abnormalities. He has been home schooled by his parents for years because of many surgeries to try and correct some of the physical deformities. In addition, his parents have been fearful to put him in school for the obvious reasons.

There is so much to like about this book. First, the story itself is full of value and very real. Human nature is what it is, and many of us don’t always respond the best way to severe physical differences. Middle school students are middle school students. The social world of middle school can be challenging enough for any child, doubly so for a child like Auggie. It’s not just Auggie that struggles with the adjustment to the school, it is the other students, and Auggie’s parents and family.

Second, I love authors who play with convention, and Palacio does an outstanding job playing around with multiple first person narratives. We get to hear from Auggie; Auggie’s sister, Via; Summer, a classmate who immediately sees past Auggie’s visual differences, and befriends Auggie; Jack, a young boy who struggles with doing the right thing, and dealing with “boy world” in middle school; Justin, Via’s boyfriend; and Miranda, a childhood friend of Via’s.

Third, I love stories that promote character and values. Wonder is full of this in both the theme, some minor plot events, and the climax of the story. I especially enjoyed Mr. Browne’s precepts.

The only criticism I have of the book is that the voice does seem a little mature for the main character’s age. I had a hard time seeing Auggie as a fifth grader. To me, I thought seventh grade would have been more appropriate.

Wonder is author R.J. Palacio’s first book. One hopes that she has more in the tank. Wonder is an outstanding read and belongs in every library for the middle grade and young adult reader.