Wonder

Although "Wonder" is written for a younger audience with a child narrator's point of view, the story is compelling for any age listener as it hits home on the issues of image and acceptance and the prejudice against people who are not physically perfect. The author does a nice job of telling the story without preaching, and the characters mature along with the story. The use of several different points of view is excellent, and each individual narrator adds depth to the overall plot. It's not the type of book I normally read but I'm glad I picked it up and would recommend it as a good listen.

I was prepared for another "kid bullied, kid triumphs" kind of story. This was much more nuanced. Auggie brings out the best in those who are open to it, while those who aren't become ever more isolated and stuck. Love wins.

The performance kept my attention.

The intonation of the mother was sometimes too patronizing or condescending. The sister was dead on. Auggies voice reflects impairment, but could become too grating in long spells. None of it was enough to keep me from recommending the book in any form to many friends. Thinking about making it a reading project for my confirmation class!

Wonderfully written story about a boy who is different told from the viewpoints of various characters. One character tells his own story, another is a sister who has always stuck up for her beloved brother while secretly wishing for a different experience in her own life, another is a friends voice (or is he really a friend.) The narrators each did a great job of defining these different characters through their heartfelt reading.

There were many who each had a different degree of impact on this story, but the main character had such a wit and sarcasm in the face of come difficult barriers in his life.

They all did a great job of bringing their character to life.

At times I wanted to shake the characters, at others I laughed out loud. I was very touched at other moments and nearly shed a tear.

For anyone who works with students with various needs and wants to hear (in their own words) what it might like to walk in their shoes for a day. Sometimes in education, we miss the subtleties that go on between our students and this book reminds you to keep an eye out for the underdog and that your words can have an impact.

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.

There not a lot of books I have been completely WOW'ed by. And I don't read that many children books too! But this children's book WOW'ed! me. I love every single thing about it. The story of 5th grader Auggie who was born with a major facial deformity is told with so much care, love and tenderness that I don't know where to begin.
There are so many real and true story lines in this book. When a family is confronted with caring for a special needs child there are good days and completely bad days. The author wrote this book as if she was the mother of that family. When a child with special needs is enrolled and attends a regular school there are issues of bullying, kindness or lack of kindness among the kids and not to mention the parents of those kids. All of those issues and so many more are addressed by the author, R.J. Palacio with nothing short of thoughtfulness. I love how the book is told from Auggies point of view and then later you get a chance to hear the same situation from the point of view of the other kids involved. Nothing short of PERFECT because each supporting character has so much to add to the story and they are very well written.
BRAVO! To the narrators of this audiobook. You all did an outstanding job.
I have to say to you guys...I cried at the end of this book. It has a great ending and I don't think it could have ended any other way.
This book should be required reading to middle school kids all over the world.
This has to be by far my most favorite book this year.
Hands Down A Five Star Read!
"I think there should be a rule, that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives" ~August from "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

Yes. Listening to this type of book over and over again is not so boring.

August itself. He's charming being and his family. Love every inch of this audiobook!

August

Yes, why not?

Please, create more books/audiobooks like this! It's a heart warning story that you'll surely love and treasure!

I found myself rooting for Auggie in this story. Auggie has a severe facial deformity and is about to go from homeschooling to the 5th grade in a real school. This book reminded me of the right ways to treat people who are different from us. It reiterated the lesson you learn as a child from your parents, to not stare and not treat people differently just because they are different than we are. This was a beautiful story about all the obstacles Auggie faces and how he overcomes them in the end. I enjoyed listening to the many character's perspectives in the book and glad that it wasn't just told from Auggie's voice. Also, I enjoyed having 3 narrators as it enhanced the listening experience. Even though this is a young adult book, I think readers and listeners of all ages would enjoy this story.

I have only listened to this book so I cannot judge but the audio book was fabulous.

August of course. What a courageous soul. He makes you want to do better for others.

I love when his classmates come to his rescue in the woods. That was a very powerful moment.

August the boy who taught others to be humane.

Super book for girls and boys. My reluctant reader of a nephew (13) read the book and loved it. It has something for everyone and gives you great perspective.

The narrator that did the voice for Auggie really annoyed me. I would have preferred a normal voice to a pretend little kid voice. She sounded like a baby. It was very distracting.

Overall the book was OK. Not the best YA I've read. There is a good message there. It is not a book that crosses into "So good adults will love it too" in my opinion. For YA it was pretty good. For adults reading YA it was OK.