Wonder

Wonder was so moving. It teaches us about kindness, courage, and accepting others for who they are.

St Just Thursday Evening Reading Group 2nd October 2025.

Wonder. R J Palacio.

Was this a children’s book, or not? We decided it might possibly be aimed at older children, but we all found it highly interesting and liked it a lot. (One reader commented that the cover made the book look more like a comic rather than one that dealt with the serious issues it contained). An easy read, quite short, with highly engaging characters, and very realistically written.

A clever plot, another reader thought, and the narrative being written from the point of view of various different characters enhanced the ideas of the book. Auggie’s disfigurement was dealt with sensitively and realistically, without sensationalism. ‘At heart a simple story of coping with life dealt Auggie’.

We talked about facial appearance and those who do not conform to physical norms, and about Treacher-Collins syndrome in particular. It was a brave act on Auggie’s part, we thought, to attend a mainstream school and face all the reactions to his appearance. These varied from a parent who wanted Auggie excluded from the school because she said he was mentally deficient, to the honest questions of children who merely wanted to know what was the matter with Auggie. We discussed why people react in this way, and how ignorance about and lack of association with ‘different’ people makes all this harder to deal with.

One reader noted that the point of view of Julian, Auggie’s principal critic and opponent, was not included, and wondered what Julian might have thought about it all.

The ‘kindness’ aspect of the story was much admired. However several people did not much like the ending, which was thought to be overly sentimental and triumphalist. A comparison was drawn with Patrick Gale’s Sweet Obscurity, and it was suggested that the ending was aimed at the American market. The title was also not thought very appropriate.

A book which needed to be written, we concluded.

Lovely story about diversity, knowing that it's ok to be different and perseverance.

Yes it is a wonderful book on the boy and his journey

I really enjoyed this book because it was so heartfelt. It also really put me in the main character's perspective, and I loved the fact that each new chapter was in someone else's perspective and writing style. I think I liked August's [The main character's] sister Via the most because she was so kind and thoughtful. I would reccomend this book to all people looking for a book that would impact the way they look at life.

Wonder is about Auggie, a boy with a different face who goes to school for the first time. Some kids are mean, but he also finds real friends. It is a kind, funny, and sad story that teaches us to be brave and always choose kindness. I loved it because it made me feel happy and thoughtful.

In this book I can feel how Auggie felt being teased, stared and laughed at. I was quite sorry for him. After reading this book I felt that I have to be better to people like Auggie.

I didn't enjoy it as much because some parts were inappropriate, but overall the book was okay.

I liked this book and it made me think reading parts of the story from Augusts' perspective.

This book, is by far one of my favourite books I've ever read. My favourite character was probably Jack Will (or Via).I would obviously recommend this wonder full book to someone else

I loved it.
It teaches people to be content with who they are and I hope everyone does just that.
I would recommend it to my friend.

It was a powerful story about a boy with facial differences who overcame his bullies with a few friends! I would recommend it to my brother, and my favourite character was Summer!

k

A heartwarming story of acceptance and dejection, WONDER has the power to change minds in a matter of pages.

I loved it because it made me emotional and because I loved how different people we’re talking in different times of the book

i like this because it show all different perceptive and it really good i would recommend Lottie brooks

Auggie is a fantastic character who, despite his difficulties, finds friends and independence in a wonderful story.

Brilliant story of Auggie's inspiring experiences.
Altho it may be fiction, it is inspiring, and emotional...

I feel like it talks about real life but in an interesting way.

I read this book more than 5 years ago but I vividly remember how easy it was to get into the story and the sympathy I felt not just for the main characters but also for those around him. It was especially interesting to see how some of them grew in their perspective and how getting to really know Auggie made them realise that appearances can be deceptive and that "what is essential is invisible to the eye".

I read this in advance of teaching it in year 5. It’s fabulous! I watched the film afterwards which doesn’t do the book justice imo.

I have watched the movie and before anyone could grab the book, I did! Everyone is different and unique, especially Auggie. He loves Star Wars and he just wants to fit in without being stared at. Jack Will is his best mate whilst Julian isn't so much. I really enjoyed this book and finding out what happens, I just couldn't put the book down!

extraordinary!

I love how life isn't always easy for Augie. People stick up for him but he also learns to stick up for himself.

Great characters. I want to see the movie

A very intriguing and deep meaning book. I enjoyed it because of the amazing description and realistic struggles. It gave me an insight of how it would be in his mind.

This is one of my favourite fiction books and have read it lots. It has about a boy who is different to everyone else but has hope in the hardest times. I liked it because it was about support, friendships and determination. I would recommend it to people aged 9 - 16.

Would 100% recommend the story has lots of twists and turns

This would for a school, because it tells you that even if you look different we are all the same inside.

It very much interest me as it shows a different opinions of people around him and telling us the difficulties he faces everyday and how he overcomes them .