Wonder is one of my favorite Young Adult/ Young Reader books that I have ever read. Honestly.
I was first introduced to Wonder when I was teaching 5th grade and rolled my eyes a little bit at the hype. Without pre-reading the book, I began it as a read aloud for my class (my teacher friends will know that is a risky move). My students were engaged in Auggie’s story right away. I admitted that I was wrong about the hype and was equally as obsessed with this story.
Wonder tells the story of a boy born with some facial abnormalities and how he and his family cope with his unique set of challenges. At the start of the book, we meet Auggie and learn that he is going to be attending public school for the first time. This is no small feat as he works to overcome self consciousness and embarrassment at his appearance. He faces huge obstacles, like dozens of surgeries as well as regular kid challenges, like finding a table in the lunch room. Throughout the story we learn more about Auggie, his family, and his classmates from the perspective of different narrators.
From beginning to end, this story is heart wrenching as much as it is heartwarming.
Remember how I mentioned that reading a book aloud to a class full of 5th graders (or any grade) without reading it first is risky? Well, that choice certainly came back to bite me, but not in the way I expected. We, my class and I, were well into the book and invested in the characters and their story lines. I began a chapter that outlined a really difficult, heart breaking experience (I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read the book. If you have, I’m sure you can guess the section I’m referencing.). As I read I found myself choking on the words, sobbing in front of my students. I'm still not sure whether my students were more upset at what was taking place in the story or at the fact that they were watching a grown woman cry.
Don’t let that particular experience dissuade you. By the end, this book will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to conquer whatever challenges are in your way. My students and I were reminded to be grateful, kind, and compassionate to the people around us. Some of our struggles aren’t as visibly apparent as Auggie’s, but everyone has stories that pull at heart strings.
If you haven’t read this book already, add it to your list; I promise you won’t regret it.