MMGM: Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are so many wonderful books in the world that sometimes it seems like all of the stories have already been told. But Wonder is a new story. An incredible portrait of family, change, and friendship. A story that I will read again. I heard a lot of buzz about Wonder in #mglichat and from my MG writer buddies, and the book didn't just live up to my expectations--it took me to a whole new place. And that is special.

R.J. Palacio brings New York to life in this simple and touching story about August--Auggie to his family and friends. Auggie is different. I won't tell you how. And in fact, Auggie doesn't tell you how, either. Instead, other characters fill in the blanks for him, offering their own unique perspectives in different acts throughout the novel. Some authors mangle this format. But not Palacio--she nails it.

Each act in Wonder tells us only what we need to know, and moves swiftly forward with the action. We follow Auggie on his journey into fifth grade, as he adjusts to new friendships and his family adjusts to his new role. He's a normal kid, witty and charming despite his differences. Because even though Auggie is different, the challenges he faces are so much the same as everyone growing up. The great joy of Wonder is that we get to experience Auggie's challenges right along with him, and experience that sameness for ourselves.

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Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is an awesome weekly posting founded by MG/YA writer Shannon Messenger. If you're looking for a few more great books to read, you've come to the right place. I've found CPs, writing friends, and so many incredible books through MMGM.  To read more wonderful Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, or to join in the fun, please take a trip to Shannon Messenger's website!