Skip to main content

Book Review: Wonder by RJ Palacio

Wonder. by R.J. PalacioTitle: Wonder
Author: RJ Palacio
Series: 
Pages: 310
Publisher: Random House
Date of Publication: 1st March 2012
Source: Publisher*
Synopsis from Goodreads: I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.


My Thoughts:
Wonder is one of those books that everybody loves because it is hard-hitting and many people will find a way to relate to it. It's about growing up while being bullied at school, and it's a story of overcoming the bullies and being proud of who you are. No matter what you look like, no matter what you wear, no matter who your family is. I can see why people say this, and I agree with them. I just didn't think the book was particularly great.

Now don't read that and think I hated it. I didn't. I liked it, quite a lot, actually. It was a strong, interesting read, but there was nothing about that blew my mind. The characters were brave, loving and lively, but I felt like there was nothing especially remarkable about most of them. Auggie and Via stood out for me, but the others I thought were just a little bit flat. I couldn't connect with them and to me they were forgettable.

But as I said, I did really like Auggie. He reminded me of my cousin (in the way he acted, rather than the way he looks), and I really think that RJ Palacio captured the essence of what it would be like for Auggie in school, and at home. I loved how he seemed like a very normal, excitable little boy, and he was incredibly brave to go to school for the first time. I think it's an achievement for all kids, because the first day of school can be hell, but especially for Auggie. He was cute and he was my favourite character, which I guess is a good thing seeing as the whole book was about him... ;P

The only other character who really stood out to me was Via. She was SUCH a good big sister! Seriously, I wish my younger brother and I had a relationship like theirs. (It doesn't work when your brother's only a year younger than you though ;) ) She was so caring and she looked out for him, and there was a point where it all got a bit too much for her, but I totally understood that and made me connect with her even more. I loved how she learnt from her mistakes and she realised when things were going really wrong, and it was awesome.

The plot wasn't really all that exciting, but I don't think it needed to be. I don't think that it needed huge plot twists or turns to make it interesting. I kept reading no matter what was going on, despite the fact that I could guess where it was going. It was real and so easy to imagine that it was an actual family going to an actual school in America.

While Wonder didn't strike me as much as I had maybe anticipated it would, it was still a good, solid read that I did enjoy. I think it's simplicity will appeal to both children and adults alike, and there's something in it that I'm sure everyone can relate to. It's made people laugh, it's made people cry, and I'm sure it can do the same for you!

*Huge thanks to Random House for sending me this in exchange for an honest review! In no way has this affected my opinion of the book.

Comments

  1. Thanks for the review. I think for hyped up books such as this one (though it didn't really get all that much blogger attention, I think), it's nice to read a so-so review just to lower my expectations a little. I do plan on reading this one, and I don't expect the plot to be a page-turner but I'd love to see what all the critics reviews are raving about. Thanks for the input! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for commenting! :D I love comments, so comment away! :D

*I am no longer accepting blog awards :( I do not have time to go through all the things that come with it, and though I'm honoured you thought of me, I'm sure you can find someone who will love it, and be able to carry out the rules :)

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

Hello all! Hope you're all enjoying the summer! I'm currently on holiday in a huge castle in the South of France and enjoying relaxing, playing games, and of course reading a lot!  Today's post is a review of a dreamy summer romance that's perfect for your holiday TBRs! Title:  A Sky Painted Gold Author:  Laura Wood Series:   n/a Pages:   356 Publisher:  Scholastic Date of Publication:  5th July, 2018 Source:  Publisher for review* Synopsis from Goodreads: Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, sixteen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer - a handsome, dashing brother and sister - Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams. But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions... And is there something darker lurking at the

Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went Author: Gayle Forman Series: If I Stay #2 Pages: 260 Publisher: Random House Date of UK Publication: April 28th 2011 Source: Borrowed from friend Synopsis from Goodreads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future and each other. Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. My Thoughts: Where She Went continues the story from If I

REVIEW: Floored by Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood

Good morning! Hope you're having a good week! Today I have a review for one of the biggest titles at YALC this year. Title:  Floored Author:  Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood Series:  n/a Pages:   320 Publisher:  Macmillan Date of Publication:  12th July, 2018 Synopsis from Goodreads: When they got in the lift, they were strangers (though didn't that guy used to be on TV?): Sasha, who is desperately trying to deliver a parcel; Hugo, who knows he's the best-looking guy in the lift and is eyeing up Velvet, who knows what that look means when you hear her name and it doesn't match the way she looks, or the way she talks; Dawson, who was on TV, but isn't as good-looking as he was a few years ago and is desperately hoping no one recognizes him; Kaitlyn, who's losing her sight but won't admit it, and who used to have a poster of Dawson on her bedroom wall, and Joe, who shoul