Wonder

About This Book

Wonder by R. J. Palacio is about a ten-year-old boy named August who has a facial deformity. August just wants to be a regular kid, but he knows he’s not because other kids laugh him off the playground. Up until now August has been homeschooled. August is not looking forward to attending a regular school this year because he is afraid how the kids will perceive him. August just wants to be a normal kid and show the other kids in school that he’s just like them.

Genre

Contemporary realistic fiction

Importance  

Wonder is an important book for school age children to read. Kids can be very cruel to other children who are physically different or do not look like them. This book allows children to see how hurtful their rude and ignorant remarks can be to a child. People who have deformities are just like everyone else, they just look different, but they still are real people with real feelings.

Discussion Questions

• Ask the children how would they feel if they had a physical deformity and other children made fun of them.
• What are ways that the children in August’s new school can make him feel comfortable and welcomed?  
• What should you do when yourself or you see another child being bullied?

Activities for the Children

• Have the children draw a picture of August.
• Next to the picture the children drew, have the children write 5 ways to make August feel welcomed.
• Have the children write all the positive things about August on their picture.

Palacio, R. (2012). Wonder. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

If you loved Wonder, check out these books by R.J. Palacio.

• Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories
• Shingaling: A Wonder Story
• Pluto