R. J. Palacio's Wonder is set in modern-day New York City. The 2012 novel follows the life of August "Auggie" Pullman, a young boy with a facial deformity who, after being homeschooled, begins attending a traditional middle school for the first time. The book's message of inclusivity and kindness is one that all readers can appreciate. The story switches between perspectives, including Auggie, his sister Via, and their classmates. Auggie wants to be accepted as an ordinary kid, but many of his fifth-grade peers only see his deformity. He experiences bullying, particularly from his classmate, Julian, but even through ridicule, Auggie finds ways to be positive. This children's book resonates with fans of all ages. The story beautifully illuminates themes of acceptance, empathy, and resilience. Auggie's journey offers valuable lessons on the importance of being kind and looking beyond appearances to see what really matters.
Wonder's success has led to multiple spinoff books and a movie adaptation. These 40 quotes from the book show why so many readers cherish it.
The best Wonder quotes on life's challenges and triumphs
“Your deeds are like your monuments. Built with memories instead of stone.”
“It’s what you’ve done with your time, how you’ve chosen to spend your days, and whom you’ve touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.”
“The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they’ve died.”
“Some things you just can't explain. You don’t even try. … All your sentences would jumble up like a giant knot … Any words you used would come out wrong.”
“Now that I look back, I don't know why I was so stressed about it all this time. Funny how sometimes you worry a lot about something and it turns out to be nothing.”
“It’s not a contest about whose days suck the most. The point is we all have to put up with the bad days.”
“I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.”
“I think there should be a rule that everyone gets a standing ovation at least once in their life.”
The best Wonder quotes on understanding and empathy
“It’s like people you see sometimes, and you can't imagine what it would be like to be that person … Only, I know that I'm that person to other people … to me, though, I’m just me. An ordinary kid.”
“I actually like how doctors talk. I like the sound of science. I like how words you don’t understand explain things you can't understand.”
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”
“If every single person made it a rule to be kinder than necessary, the world really would be a better place.”
“The best way to measure how much you’ve grown isn’t by inches or pounds or grade levels. It’s what you’ve done with your time.”
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us to greatness.”
“I think there should be a rule that everyone gets a standing ovation at least once in their life.”
The best Wonder quotes on concerns and questions
“Do people look the same when they go to heaven, mommy?”
“I don’t know, sweetie. They just feel it. You don’t need your eyes to love, right?”
“Words can't change my face.”
“It’s so weird … a night that's the worst in your life, but to everybody else, it’s just an ordinary night.”
“I forgot that I might see so many beautiful things I forgot that I might need to find out what life could bring.”
“Sometimes you don’t have to mean to hurt someone to hurt them.”
“Funny how sometimes you worry a lot about something and it turns out to be nothing.”
“You don’t need your eyes to love, right?”
The best Wonder quotes on relationships and social interactions
“I wish every day could be Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could get to know each other before we got to see what we looked like under the masks.”
“‘I think we're too young to be dating. I don't see what the rush is,’ Summer says.”
“Jack, sometimes you don't have to be mean to hurt someone.”
“Her smile hugged me.”
“You don’t need your eyes to love, right?”
“Sometimes friendships are hard to explain. They just happen.”
“No one is ordinary when you know them deeply.”
The best Wonder quotes on kindness and human qualities
“We carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness.”
“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”
“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary—the world really would be a better place.”
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us … and propel us … to greatness.”
“It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.”
“Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”
“Shall we make a new rule of life … always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?”
The best Wonder quotes on self-awareness
“The most important precept is to be aware of who we are!”
“Learning who you are is what you are here to do.”
“One of the reasons I grew my hair long last year was that I like how my bangs cover my eyes: it helps me block out the things I don't want to see.”
“…the only reason I'm not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.”
“You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder.”
“It’s not enough to be ordinary. You have to choose to stand out.”
“Being different isn’t bad. It means you have the courage to be yourself.”
