Wonder by R.J. Palacio

2014 Bluebonnet winner among many other awards

Bluebonnet novel 



Wonder tells the story of a young boy with a facial difference that goes to school for the first time. The story makes the reader feel all sorts of emotions as Auggie goes through different situations as a fifth grader that doesn’t look like everyone else. The story ends on a positive note as Auggie is finally accepted and respected by his peers. 

I think this realistic fiction novel would be great to have on a bookshelf in any middle school to high school classroom, or used as an in-class reading for English classes. The overwhelming message of being kind is a great lesson for students in both middle school and high school because they are going through physical, mental, social, and emotional changes that require patience and kindness from adults and their peers. Putting this in the curriculum for an English class would be a great way to open up discussions to what makes us unique and why we should always treat everyone with kindness. 




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