When a book is this original, this heartfelt, this inspiring, this real, I find myself babbling in clich??: Wonder is truly wondrous.

Auggie Pullman is 10. He???s about to start fifth grade after being homeschooled, and he???s more than a little nervous: ???I know I???m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. ??? And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don???t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don???t get stared at wherever they go.??? Born with a genetic facial deformity, Auggie has survived 27 operations since he was born. ???I won???t describe what I look like. Whatever you???re thinking, it???s probably worse.???

In a world where being even a little different can cause a lot of heartbreak, Auggie???s entry into a New York City private middle school is a shocker ??? for both him and everyone around him. Wonder follows Auggie through his public debut as he navigates beyond his comfort zone, finding new friends and allies, experiencing an independence he (nor his family) dreamed of, and learning who to trust and who to let go. [The NON-Wonder Award, by the way, unquestionably goes to a wealthy parent (who is vice president of the school board, no less) who Photoshops Auggie out of the class picture and even shares it with other parents!]

R.J. Palacio enhances Auggie???s story with multiple points of view ??? his friends, his sister, his sister???s new boyfriend, his sister???s ex-best friend even! ??? to create a richly detailed, utterly believable record of one extraordinary boy???s one unforgettable year. Note to parents: don???t read (or listen, as I did ??? so convincingly narrated by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd) in crowded places, unless you???re okay with being an exhibitionist (pack Kleenex!).

Top 3.

The end during the principal's speech & the woods scene are two moments that I sat perfectly still for so I wouldn't miss a word.

The principal's speech.

Yes. I started listening with my children but couldnt wait for them. I listened without them and finished in 2 days. It's beautiful.

I bought the book for friends as well.

My only complaint: the cartoonish narration detracted from this otherwise sublime and poignant story. A wonderful book– one that everyone should read.

Yes-it's a great story for all ages, but I would not recommend the audible version. The narration for August was so irritating that I skipped those portions and read those on Kindle.

Loved the different viewpoints of all of the characters and their experiences of life with August.

The narration for August was very distracting. Maybe they were trying to help the reader experience some of the aspects of August's differences through audio, since we don't have a complete visual idea of how he looks; however, that is where our imaginations step in.

I am a Speech Pathologist and daily work with children who do not fit "within the norm," but even then, I don't always have a true understanding of what life at home is like for the families of the children with whom I work. This book helped to give me more of an appreciation for the family dynamics, but most of all, I loved that the message of the book is not to feel sorry for August or his family. Many families with children with special needs would prefer others to understand that they have come to accept this as their "new normal" with a loved and valued child.

I enjoyed just about every single word in this book. It's heart warming, moving, funny. The characters sound like real life kids. The references to pop culture also lend to making this book quite unique. I even love the art on the book jacket which was what first drew me to this book.

Auggie's fifth grade weekend outdoor trip-- now that was a good scene.

I loved Jack's narration the most. His Brooklyn accent fit his character.

This book made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.

Every middle school child should read this. Had I read this at 12, it would've had a deep effect on me.

Easy listen. Good story of family, relationships. Uplifting and hopeful! Truly a great story of not judging a book by it's cover.

I have only ever heard the audio version, I'm not sure it would be better than the print version. I'm considering content as opposed to performance.

I loved August's family. The loving parents and sister really made this book a soft place to relax for a few hours. We understand that the children's friends loved being with this family, and I did too. We never got the idea that the parents, and sister did anything but love Auggie - even when it wasn't easy.

I appreciated the narrators, but it wasn't a book I would say to someone - listen to this! You MUST hear how it's read!

Yes, although I couldn't, I have listened to this book twice now. the first time in 3 sittings, the second time in 2.

"The Universe was not kind to August Pullman"I don't know if I can claim that whole heartedly. August was not beautiful and had to grow up in this society which places so much value on what someone looks like. I do not have the condition Auggie did, but experienced many of the situations this book portrayed. We have to accept that there are many more Julians in the world than Summers, Many understand by the end that it wasn't only what August looked like, but how he lived that made him a wonder, but the family that August had made such a difference for him. I know it's just a book, but even if the parents were written differently - it wouldn't have been the same book. If anything Auggie was fortunate to have a family who cared so deeply for him. This *was* kind.I just loved this book, I loved the underdog prevails "Matilda"-ness (another favorite) of it. It's heart warming in such a cold time. I wish the author would write another book visiting these characters.

Acceptance, love, human

The movie with Cher.. I can not think of the name.

Great.

Not sure

There is not a character in Palacio's novel that does not feel completely authentic. I would love to read more of Auggie's story, he is truly inspirational.

This is a must read for all.

This was the first novel that I have ever listened to 5 times!!!! It is expertly crafted and the characters connect just like lego pieces...each event is developed into a 3-D experience from the characters' differing viewpoints of single events. Palacio is an artist by how she accomplished this without boring the reader/listener. Instead, the audience becomes capitivated by August Pulman and his family and friends. Life's lessons are highlighted but not in a preachy way....rather in a true to life way. You learn them through the lives of children. This book will live as a classic...one to keep and share with the generations, highlighting humanities dark side but illuminating the good in all of us!