Friday, April 26, 2013

The wonder of Wonder by R.J. Palacio

"You can't blend in when you were born to stand out."


Wonder
{2012}
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school-until now.  He's about to enter fifth 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? ~inside book flap
 
This book is the new poster child for anti-bullying, be nice rhetoric we teachers are constantly spewing at the kids that we teach, hoping it will make a difference.  This book though has the potential of actually starting a movement.  Auggie and his family work hard to maintain normal and even through the very rocky times stay true to what their family means which leads to the extraordinary way that Auggie sees himself. Even though he gets depressed and would love to have an ordinary face he also feels comfortable with how he is.
 
I loved this book and plan to push several teachers to use it as a read aloud starting in August.  Right now all my teachers are just limping toward the end of May, ready to be done.  But Auggie will help them start the school year off right as they help their students build community; one that doesn't  judge.

Now that I've read and reviewed it I'm putting it back out for students and I have quite a few who are waiting to get their hands on it!  Thank you to my friend Verda and Groovy Girl for constantly telling me how great the book was so I had nothing left to do but pick it up and read it.

1 comment:

Tina's Blog said...

I read this one as an ARC and loved it- although I don't love the cover. Leah lists it as one of her favorite books and has had my mom read it and now my sister. You're right - it is a great read aloud. I am reading it to fifth grade right now.