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{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=Wonder
|author=R J Palacio
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9780370332284
|pages=320
|publisher=Bodley Head
|date=March 2012
|website=http://rjpalacio.com/
|summary=Powerful and gentle, ‘Wonder’ is heart-breaking, life-affirming and full of warmth. This is a truly unique read about being yourself, regardless of the challenges life throws at you. A true gift of a book for everyone from age 10 through adult.
|cover=0370332288
|aznuk=0370332288
|aznus=0375869026
}}
'''Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013'''
August Pullman was born with a rare genetic defect that has caused extreme facial disfiguration. He has undergone 27 surgeries since he was born and has always been vulnerable to illness. In order to deal with his medical needs and to shield him from the staring and cruelty of the world, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents for his entire life. But Auggie is stronger now and all of that is about to change. Auggie is about to enter school for the first time – and he’s petrified. ‘Wonder’ is the story of Auggie’s first year at Beecher Prep and his first journey alone into the outside world. But can he confront the challenges that wait for him there and convince his classmates, new friends, family and himself that, underneath his unusual appearance, he is just the same as everybody else?
''…I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.''
‘Wonder’ is told not only through Auggie’s voice, but through numerous others as well. Through the voices of Vida Via (his older sister) and his new friends the reader gets insight into the effect of Auggie’s condition on the people around him. Vida Via particularly stands out as she reveals all sides of her character; her love for her little brother and desire to protect him, as well as the subtleties and complexities of finding her own place in life. Her struggles with relationships, friendships and family as she wades through her own emotions are particularly poignant. As Vida Via uncovers much about herself, it is easy to relate with her internal dilemmas.
‘Wonder’ is not fast-paced, packed full of action or suspense. It is a gentle, totally mesmerising book written in a compelling, realistic style that invites the reader into the intimate daily life of this marvellous, genuine boy and his family and holds them there. It is a powerful story that gives us the world we live in with a clean set of eyes; one you will return to again and again, with voices that will stay with you for a very long time. It is also about being yourself, even if the odds are against you, because in the end, that’s all you can be. For ages 10 and up (through adult readers), ‘Wonder’ is a thoroughly wonderful gift and a book that you must read.
While 'Wonder' is an exceptionally unique read, there are a few others you might like to try, if you enjoyed this one. Try [[ A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton]], [[Skellig by David Almond]] and [[Sylvie and the Songman by Tim Binding]].
{{amazontext|amazon=0370332288}} {{waterstonestextamazonUStext|waterstonesamazon=87366000370332288}} {{toptentext|list=The CILIP Carnegie Medal 2013}}
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