Wonder

I have seen this book on the market for a while now, and now it’s becoming a major motion picture. The avid reader in me must read the book before it becomes a hot topic in the media to avoid spoilers. Aside from the book being adapted into a film, I honestly read the book because I want to read more stories about unique characters that haven’t been brought to the surface.

August Pullman is a 5th grade boy born with a rare genetic mutation. From his mutation, he underwent numerous surgeries and facial reconstruction. This abnormality has deemed him an outcast from society. That is until he attends his first year at Beecher Prep Middle School.

When looking for a new book to read, I purposely find stories that have characters with a physical or mental disability. We’re moving into a world where being perfect is overrated, and where our weaknesses make us stronger as a person in society. Wonder really tugged on my strings because I can relate to the story 100%. I have a brother with autism. We attended the same classes in elementary school until the school decided it was time for him to be with kids his own age. But, I remember how popular he was with the other kids. They all loved working with him and playing games with him. I totally get Olivia’s, August’s sister, point on wanting to find a place where she can shine too. She loves her brother, but she needs a place where people know her for her and not her brother.

At first, I was not sure where the story in Wonder was going. August didn’t have clear goal besides not being seen as freak in school. This story is more of an emotional journey than a physical one. August learns the value of having real and true friends.

What I really loved about this book is how each major and some minor characters got a few chapters told through their perspective. I love books that head hop. When we read books from a limited perspective we won’t truly know what’s going on in other character’s heads. The most memorable character perspective is Jack Will’s. Jack is the kind of person we should all aspire to be when making new friends that aren’t like us physically and mentally.

It’s okay to be overwhelmed by someone else’s differences. We all need time to adjust and understand each other. Jack explained that he was a little taken aback by August’s appearance, but he felt sorry that August didn’t have any friends and other kids were teasing him. We all need a little push to help break through our fears. Jack befriended August through his principal’s push to welcome August to the school, but from this push bloomed a unique friendship.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a feel-good story from multiple perspectives that will tug at your heart strings.

#Wonder #socialacceptance #friendship