Wonder by R.J. Palacio - Summary and Analysis | Audible.com
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
A heartwarming and inspiring tale that follows the story of a young boy with a facial difference as he discovers the transformative power of kindness, courage, and the human spirit.
Wonder is a middle-grade novel by R.J. Palacio, first published in 2012. The story is centered on August "Auggie" Pullman, a boy living with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by deformities of the ears, eyes, cheekbones, and chin that has left him with a facial difference. Auggie's condition has largely kept him out of mainstream schooling until the fifth grade, when he enrolls at Beecher Prep, longing for a typical middle-school experience and to be treated like a normal kid.
The book is narrated from multiple perspectives, beginning with Auggie’s viewpoint and expanding to include those of his classmates, his older sister Via, Via’s boyfriend, and total strangers. This multi-faceted approach illustrates the wide-ranging impact of Auggie’s journey and highlights themes of empathy, prejudice, bullying, and friendship. Despite the initial struggles and cruelty Auggie faces, his resilience and good humor inspire a shift in those around him, prompting reflections on the power of compassion, kindness, and hope.
A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, Wonder has been recognized with several awards, including the 2014 Maine Student Book Award, Vermont's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, the 2015 Mark Twain Readers Award, Hawaii 's 2015 Nene Award, and the Junior Young Reader's Choice Award. The novel inspired the #Choose Kind movement, urging kids to embrace the message that it’s more important to be kind than right, and was adapted into a major motion picture, featuring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, released in 2017. It also led to a series of stories giving voice to the various characters in Auggie’s story and a spinoff film based on Palacio’s graphic novel White Bird. Through Auggie Pullman's journey, Wonder affirms the importance of self-acceptance while encouraging readers to look beyond physical appearances to see the person within.
Themes
Empathy and compassion
Acceptance of others’ differences
Importance of kindness
Friendship and loyalty
Bullying and its impact
Family and support systems
Personal growth and self-acceptance
Courage and resilience
Impact of community and school environment of kids’ well-being
Perceptions of beauty and normality
Setting
Wonder takes place in a contemporary setting, likely in the early 21st century. The story is primarily set in Lower Manhattan, specifically in the neighborhood of North Riverside Heights. Key locations within this area include Beecher Prep, the private school that the protagonist August "Auggie" Pullman attends for fifth grade, and the Pullman family's home.
While the exact year is not specified, the narrative unfolds over the course of Auggie's fifth grade school year, centering around his experiences as a new student at Beecher Prep. The story explores themes of acceptance, kindness, and empathy within the setting of a modern urban community and the environment of a private elementary school.
The geographical focus remains tightly bound to the Pullman family's daily life in their Lower Manhattan neighborhood and Auggie's journey as he navigates the challenges of starting at a new school with his facial deformity. The setting provides a realistic backdrop for the character-driven narrative and the universal themes it explores.
Characters
August "Auggie" Pullman: The main character, a young boy with Treacher Collins syndrome, causing a facial difference.
Olivia "Via" Pullman: Auggie's older sister, who faces her own challenges as she starts high school.
Isabel and Nate Pullman: Auggie and Via's supportive parents.
Jack Will: A classmate of Auggie who struggles with loyalty versus fitting in.
Summer: A kind classmate who befriends Auggie for who he is, regardless of what he looks like.
Justin: Via’s boyfriend, who wears round glasses and plays the fiddle in a zydeco band, whom Auggie good-naturedly teases.
Julian: A bully at Beecher Prep, who targets Auggie due to his appearance.
Mr. Tushman: The principal of Beecher Prep, who supports Auggie's transition to school.
Charlotte: A classmate tasked with showing Auggie around Beecher Prep, who’s somewhat neutral but tries to be kind.
Daisy: The Pullman family's dog, a source of comfort for Auggie.
Miranda: Via's friend, who goes through her own changes and eventually supports Via in her time of need.
Critical reception
Wonder by R.J. Palacio has been widely praised by critics for its engaging narrative and well-drawn characters—especially Auggie, whose journey embodies themes of kindness, compassion, courage, and self-acceptance—and its powerful impact in fostering empathy. Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews each gave the book a starred review.
FAQs
What is Wonder by R. J. Palacio about?
Wonder is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that follows August "Auggie" Pullman, a boy born with Treacher Collins syndrome, which has significantly affected his facial appearance. As he transitions from being homeschooled to attending a mainstream school for the first time, Auggie confronts the challenges of fitting in, bullying, and finding friendship while teaching those around him about acceptance, kindness, and the importance of character.
Who are the main characters in Wonder?
The main characters include August "Auggie" Pullman, the protagonist with a facial difference; Olivia "Via" Pullman, Auggie's older sister; their parents, Isabel and Nate Pullman; and Auggie's schoolmates at Beecher Prep, including Jack Will, Summer, Charlotte, and Julian. The story is told from multiple perspectives, enriching the narrative with diverse viewpoints.
How did the author come up with the idea for the book?
R.J. Palacio was inspired to write Wonder after an incident where her son noticed a girl with a severe facial deformity and started to cry. She was also inspired by Natalie Merchant's song of the same name.
Has Wonder received any awards or recognitions?
Yes, Wonder has received several awards, including the 2014 Maine Student Book Award, Vermont's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, the 2015 Mark Twain Readers Award, Hawaii's 2015 Nene Award, and the Junior Young Reader's Choice Award for 2015. It was also a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, featured on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, and named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time.
Are there any film adaptations or related books?
A film adaptation of Wonder, directed by Stephen Chbosky and starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay, was released in November 2017. Additionally, there are several related books and spin-offs, including Auggie & Me, 365 Days of Wonder, and We're All Wonders, as well as a graphic novel titled White Bird that further explores the world and themes of Wonder. A film adaptation of White Bird is set to be released.
What is the Choose Kind movement mentioned in relation to Wonder?
The Choose Kind movement is an initiative inspired by Wonder that encourages and celebrates acts of kindness. It emerged from the book’s underlying message that empathy and kindness have the power to bring people together despite their differences. The movement has inspired individuals and communities to engage in and promote acts of kindness, adopting the principle that simple acts of friendliness can have far-reaching and transformative effects.
How has Wonder been received by the disability community?
The reception within the disability community has been mixed. Some activists and individuals with visible differences have praised the book for raising awareness and fostering empathy towards those with facial differences or disabilities. Others, however, have critiqued the representation of disability, the casting of a non-disabled actor in the movie adaptation, and the potential for the protagonist Auggie to be seen more as a vehicle for the moral growth of others rather than as a fully realized character in his own right. The discussion highlights the ongoing conversation about representation and agency within literature and media.
Quotes
“I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.”
“Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
“Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams.”
“It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.”
“My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.”
Quick facts
R. J. Palacio’s inspiration for Wonder came from a real-life incident. On an outing to an ice cream shop with her two boys, her then 3-year-old son cried in fear at the sight of a little girl with a severe facial deformity. After leaving in haste, Palacio kept wondering if she had missed an opportunity to teach her kids empathy and what life must be like for that little girl. That incident led to her writing Wonder.
The book's title, Wonder, was inspired by the song of the same name by Natalie Merchant, which Palacio listened to on repeat while writing the novel.
Palacio initially envisioned Wonder as a picture book but decided to expand it into a novel after realizing the story's potential depth and breadth.
Wonder has been translated into 29 different languages, a testament to its global appeal and the universal themes of kindness, acceptance, and the challenges of being different.
Wonder spurred the #Choose Kind movement, encouraging young readers and their friends, teachers, and parents to opt for being kind over being right—a testament to the novel's impactful message on real-world attitudes towards individuals with physical differences and disabilities.
The cover art for Wonder was created by Tad Carpenter, who designed a simple yet poignant image that has become iconic and synonymous with the book's message.
In conjunction with the book, Palacio has released several spin-offs and related writings, including 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne's Book of Precepts, which compiles quotes for every day of the year, offering daily inspiration for kindness.
The character of Auggie Pullman, the 10-year-old protagonist of Wonder, suffers from Treacher Collins syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and facial tissues. Despite this specific condition, the novel addresses broader themes of acceptance and resilience in the face of any difference.
The success of Wonder led to its adaptation into a major motion picture, featuring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, released in 2017.
About the author
R.J. Palacio (a pen name for Raquel Jaramillo) is a bestselling author of books for young readers. She is best known for her widely celebrated middle-grade novel Wonder (2012), which captures the challenges and triumphs of a boy born with facial differences. Inspired by the response to Wonder, she went on to write Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories; 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts; White Bird; and We're All Wonders, an illustrated book aimed at a younger audience.
Before turning to writing, Palacio had a successful career in publishing as a graphic designer and art director. She worked on the cover art for books by acclaimed authors such as Paul Auster, Thomas Pynchon, Sue Grafton, and Salman Rushie, among others. Born to Colombian immigrant parents and raised in New York City, she attended the High School of Art and Design, followed by the Parsons School of Design, where she majored in illustration. In addition to Wonder and its spin-offs, she has written and illustrated children’ s picture books under her full name, Raquel Jaramillo Palacio. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and their two sons.
