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Wonder by R.J. Palacio Review

Good Morning Everyone :)

I hope you're all having a great week so far, and I want to thank you all for joining me for another book review here on The Preppy Book Princess.

Life has honestly been a little crazy around here lately. Work's been insanely crazy, Neil and I are both still getting over health issues, and my to do list seems to grow more and more every single day.

However, I continue to love finding moments of solitude with great books, and because of how many I've been flying through lately, I've had even more than normal to share on my blog.

Today's review is a book that really impacted me, and I hope it'll be the same for all of you.

I really can't wait to share about this one with you all.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio:



Source: Library

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Publication Date: February 14th, 2012

Genre: Middle Grade

Series: Wonder


Synopsis:

I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.


(synopsis from goodreads)


My Review:

Wonder is one of those rare books that I honestly feel will have an impact on each and every single person who picks it up to read it. It's honest, it's emotional, it's raw, and it pulls on the heartstrings.

I'm often not a fan of books that are told in many differing POV's as I feel that it can easily become convoluted and confusing to the reader, but it worked for me with Wonder, and I felt the various POV's really gave an extra something to this story. Auggie's story is heartbreaking. This beautiful little boy has been dealt more than his fair share of hurt, and all he really wants is to make friends in his new school. However, he knows that people can be mean, and he knows that not everyone is willing to accept him for who he is. Reading Auggie's POV gives the reader a deep connection to this strong, but sensitive little boy who's facing life in the best ways he knows possible. However, it made the story seem even more honest and authentic with the inclusion of the points of view from some of the other surrounding characters.

Jack and Summer tell their version of the story in a way that showcases how much they enjoy being Auggie's friends, but also that they're still kids themselves, and it weights on them that it does still get to them when their treated differently by the rest of their classmates for being friends with Auggie. Auggie's sister Via has always been supportive and fiercely protective of her little brother, but her point of view also showcases to the reader that she often feels neglected and forgotten about because of how much attention he requires. Sometimes it's hard for her to be the sister of someone as extraordinarily different as Auggie, and it hurts her to even admit to feeling in such a way.

I honestly can't believe that this literary masterpiece was R.J. Palacio's debut novel. It's an amazing story about the power of kindness and friendship, and the idea that there's no need to try and blend in when you were born to stand out. If I was only able to take one message from this book, then it would definitely be:

"Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed."

Final Rating: 5/5

I hope everyone at some point or another gets the opportunity to read this one. It's definitely worth all the hype, and our world needs more books like this one. 

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)

This is not a sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The photo does not belong to me, and all rights the respective owners.

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