Wonder is a novel written by RJ Palacio about a ten year old boy in Manhattan named August Pullman, also referred to as Auggie, who has a rare medical facial deformity. Throughout his entire life Auggie has been home schooled, but one day his parents decide to enroll him in a private school for the start of his middle school years. When Auggie first goes to his new school, he is self-concious and afraid, but later on comes to enjoy school and becomes friends with a couple of the other students, Jack Will and Summer Dawson. Jack and Summer are some of the only people who are nice to Auggie while the rest of the student body including Julian Albans either avoids or bullies him. On Halloween, Auggie overhears Jack telling Julian that he would kill himself if he looked like him. Afterwards, Auggie confides in Summer and avoids Jack. When Jack realizes that Auggie overheard him, he apologizes to Auggie and outwardly stands up for him when he is bullied. As the story progresses, several other students come to the Auggie's aid and befriends him, as well.This novel helps readers understand the seriousness and importance of how bullying can affect an individual especially children and teens. Everyday teens are faced with bullying all around the world because they are seen as different from the "average" person. Is there truly a clear picture or description of an "average person? Are appearances really that important to to society?
In my opinion this novel does an outstanding job teaching the importance of acceptance and the concept of not "judging a book by its cover."
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