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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
"I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way..."
In Wonder, 11-year old August is your average kid. He has a Star Wars obsession, wants to be a scientist when he grows up, and loves playing with his dog, Daisy. He has eyes, ears, and a nose- just not in any of the right places.
August was born with a rare birth defect that resulted in a face deformation, a hip bone replacing the jaw he never had and his ears squished to the sides of his head. His eyes are lower than they are supposed to be and the shape of his mouth makes it hard for him to eat. Other than that, he's a totally normal kid- he just wishes everyone else would see him that way.
He's learned to deal with the stares and the whispers, but when his parents decide to enroll him in real school for the first time, he faces a new challenge. Seeing the school, he's excited to go, but immediately encounters but a smaller model of the world he already knows exist- those who have trouble accepting him, those that refuse to accept him, and those who wholeheartedly welcome him with empathy and make his life worth living.
"Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world."
At first, this book seems like the kind of tearjerker meant to make the reader feel emotion through guilt- "Why did I used to bully that kid in eighth grade...?. A kinder way to say this is that it's meant to show us the world from the eyes a kid shunned by society and the political correctness that has those unaccepting skirt around it in cruel ways. Basically, it shows us another perspective.
But the book isn't just about August's story- the story is shared by multiple characters, his sister, her boyfriend, and August's friends. That's when it hits you- this isn't just a story about an unexplored perspective- it's a book that explores the pure nature of perspective. We see how dfferent types of people learn to look past what's on the outside and how they do it. Wherein they learn that sometimes what seems otherworldly is really just normal- and that's what's spectacular.
The book is well written although occasionally it seems like the author tries too hard to make August seem like a "normal" kid and so his use of slang seems forced. But the book's sense of realism is more pronounced in Palacio's unabashed allegorical use of pop-culture references.
The beginning is more promising than the latter half and the ending feels a tad maudlin, but the novel more than makes up for it in is vibrant humanism and assured characterizations- and what more can you ask for from a surefire Newberry book?
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way..."
In Wonder, 11-year old August is your average kid. He has a Star Wars obsession, wants to be a scientist when he grows up, and loves playing with his dog, Daisy. He has eyes, ears, and a nose- just not in any of the right places.
August was born with a rare birth defect that resulted in a face deformation, a hip bone replacing the jaw he never had and his ears squished to the sides of his head. His eyes are lower than they are supposed to be and the shape of his mouth makes it hard for him to eat. Other than that, he's a totally normal kid- he just wishes everyone else would see him that way.
He's learned to deal with the stares and the whispers, but when his parents decide to enroll him in real school for the first time, he faces a new challenge. Seeing the school, he's excited to go, but immediately encounters but a smaller model of the world he already knows exist- those who have trouble accepting him, those that refuse to accept him, and those who wholeheartedly welcome him with empathy and make his life worth living.
"Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world."
At first, this book seems like the kind of tearjerker meant to make the reader feel emotion through guilt- "Why did I used to bully that kid in eighth grade...?. A kinder way to say this is that it's meant to show us the world from the eyes a kid shunned by society and the political correctness that has those unaccepting skirt around it in cruel ways. Basically, it shows us another perspective.
But the book isn't just about August's story- the story is shared by multiple characters, his sister, her boyfriend, and August's friends. That's when it hits you- this isn't just a story about an unexplored perspective- it's a book that explores the pure nature of perspective. We see how dfferent types of people learn to look past what's on the outside and how they do it. Wherein they learn that sometimes what seems otherworldly is really just normal- and that's what's spectacular.
The book is well written although occasionally it seems like the author tries too hard to make August seem like a "normal" kid and so his use of slang seems forced. But the book's sense of realism is more pronounced in Palacio's unabashed allegorical use of pop-culture references.
The beginning is more promising than the latter half and the ending feels a tad maudlin, but the novel more than makes up for it in is vibrant humanism and assured characterizations- and what more can you ask for from a surefire Newberry book?
So I basically cried through this entire book. Wonder is a novel about a 10-year old boy named August, who just happens to have been born with severe facial deformities. The book follows him through 5th grade, which is the first time he's ever attended school. I cried as August endures the torment of his classmates, who have never seen anyone like him. I cried as his loving parents and sister try to help him but don't know how. And I cried all the way to the end, where without giving too much away he gets his happy ending.
The author tells the story from multiple characters' viewpoints, and I think it works to help flesh them out. They act in cowardice, anger, and ignorance - but these same characters are also capable of incredibly brave and selfless acts. In other words, they're real. August describes a couple of times the way people who see him for the first time react - either the soft intake of breath or the quick look down and subsequent avoidance of eye contact. The novel's moral - "be a little kinder than is necessary" - is something we can all learn to live by. Highly recommended.
The author tells the story from multiple characters' viewpoints, and I think it works to help flesh them out. They act in cowardice, anger, and ignorance - but these same characters are also capable of incredibly brave and selfless acts. In other words, they're real. August describes a couple of times the way people who see him for the first time react - either the soft intake of breath or the quick look down and subsequent avoidance of eye contact. The novel's moral - "be a little kinder than is necessary" - is something we can all learn to live by. Highly recommended.
(5/5)
The love I have for this book is endless!
It made me cry tears of sadness and joy, smile and, most important, take a moment to think about some things: about people, about feelings, about that homeless puppy I found ugly but loved still, about chocolate cake and flowers.
August, sweet boy, you have a part of my heart.
The love I have for this book is endless!
It made me cry tears of sadness and joy, smile and, most important, take a moment to think about some things: about people, about feelings, about that homeless puppy I found ugly but loved still, about chocolate cake and flowers.
August, sweet boy, you have a part of my heart.
Precioso, leedlo. Si queréis empezar a leer en inglés lo recomiendo mucho
-CONTENT WARNING: None really, this book is about as offensive as toothpaste-
"Wonder" is one of those stories with a premise that just instantly hooks you. It tells the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, a fifth grader with severe facial deformities that have prevented him from attending conventional school or associating with students his own age. When he enrolls in Beecher Prep, he is made to navigate the exciting, confusing, and often cruel world of public schooling for the first time. The story is told through several points of view, including those of August himself, his older sister Olivia, and his friends Summer and Jack.
I feel like I'm missing something. Judging by the other reviews of this on Goodreads, I was supposed to have some sort of life-changing experience while reading this. I was supposed to come away with a zeal for life and a determination to make the world a better place. All I felt, though, was a relief that the book was over and a shock at how unbelievably cheesy the ending was. You know those corny teen movies where the underdog receives glory and fame at the end, all accompanied by rousing applause from a room full of students who hated him not even an hour ago? Think of that, but in book form. Yeah.
I'm not saying the book was without merit. I found the narration believable enough, and was impressed with the fact that I could tell the difference between the narrators and didn't have to repeatedly look back and check who was narrating when. There were some quotes from this that were pure gold. I'm just outside of this book's target demographic, I think. I like my literature laced with cyanide, not grenadine.
FAVORITE QUOTATIONS:
"The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died. They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the pharaohs. Only instead of being made out of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you."
"Wonder" is one of those stories with a premise that just instantly hooks you. It tells the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, a fifth grader with severe facial deformities that have prevented him from attending conventional school or associating with students his own age. When he enrolls in Beecher Prep, he is made to navigate the exciting, confusing, and often cruel world of public schooling for the first time. The story is told through several points of view, including those of August himself, his older sister Olivia, and his friends Summer and Jack.
I feel like I'm missing something. Judging by the other reviews of this on Goodreads, I was supposed to have some sort of life-changing experience while reading this. I was supposed to come away with a zeal for life and a determination to make the world a better place. All I felt, though, was a relief that the book was over and a shock at how unbelievably cheesy the ending was. You know those corny teen movies where the underdog receives glory and fame at the end, all accompanied by rousing applause from a room full of students who hated him not even an hour ago? Think of that, but in book form. Yeah.
I'm not saying the book was without merit. I found the narration believable enough, and was impressed with the fact that I could tell the difference between the narrators and didn't have to repeatedly look back and check who was narrating when. There were some quotes from this that were pure gold. I'm just outside of this book's target demographic, I think. I like my literature laced with cyanide, not grenadine.
FAVORITE QUOTATIONS:
"The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died. They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the pharaohs. Only instead of being made out of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you."
This book should be required reading for all humans.
11 year old daughter loved this, and demanded i read it. Very impressive. Wouldnt have chosen it, but am impressed and glad i read it.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When given a choice between being right or being kind, choose kind
😭😭😭
sobbing, one of those books that restores your hope in humanity, loved this just like I love the movie, also reminded me of atypical at parts
😭😭😭
sobbing, one of those books that restores your hope in humanity, loved this just like I love the movie, also reminded me of atypical at parts
My in-person, SSBC (Super Secret Book Club) chose this a couple of months ago and I finally just finished it. It's been a busy time for me.
In spite of how long it took me to listen, I loved it. 100%. Beautiful, touching, comfortingly predictable (it's a good story, I only say predictable because I really do want to believe in the core goodness of people), and well-imagined.
August, known as Augie, is a boy who, because of a profound facial deformity, has never been to public school. This story tells about what it was like for him to finally go to middle school and have to live through the daily actions and reactions of those around him. The less-understood things we must face in life tend to bring out either the best or the worst in humanity, and this book covers both scenarios.
I think the author does a great job of creating the world of middle school and especially the thoughts and interactions of the young main characters. It's well-worth your time and probably would be a quick, easy read. It's only an 8-hour audiobook.
Some in my book group were curious about my response because I have a disabled sister. She moves around earth in a wheelchair, and has since she was in her teens. I can't even attempt to say anything from her side of that life, but thinking about things from my side, with memories of watching her all these years, I found the book very touching and I did think of my sis. She is a wonder too. She inspires kindness and inclusion and I admire her greatly, just as you will August and the people closest to him.
In spite of how long it took me to listen, I loved it. 100%. Beautiful, touching, comfortingly predictable (it's a good story, I only say predictable because I really do want to believe in the core goodness of people), and well-imagined.
August, known as Augie, is a boy who, because of a profound facial deformity, has never been to public school. This story tells about what it was like for him to finally go to middle school and have to live through the daily actions and reactions of those around him. The less-understood things we must face in life tend to bring out either the best or the worst in humanity, and this book covers both scenarios.
I think the author does a great job of creating the world of middle school and especially the thoughts and interactions of the young main characters. It's well-worth your time and probably would be a quick, easy read. It's only an 8-hour audiobook.
Some in my book group were curious about my response because I have a disabled sister. She moves around earth in a wheelchair, and has since she was in her teens. I can't even attempt to say anything from her side of that life, but thinking about things from my side, with memories of watching her all these years, I found the book very touching and I did think of my sis. She is a wonder too. She inspires kindness and inclusion and I admire her greatly, just as you will August and the people closest to him.