Wonder: a {quick} Book Review

It’s no secret that I’m not a reader, not in the sense of always having a book in my hands, being excited to have a new series to read, knowing who all the characters are in the classics. You say Jane Eyre and I can’t remember if that’s a book, a character, or an author. Jane Austen/Jane Eyre…I don’t know. I will find out, it’s a goal of mine. Help me, readers.

But, I’m starting to read more recently, in part because my oldest daughter reads at the speed of light and I want to both read and preview some books, and because I want to share good stories with her. Also, being a homeschool mom, I know reading is important, I know there are classics, novels, short stories, biographies and more, all of which really are enriching to learning. And so I’ve found myself a reluctant-reader, if you can call it that.

To finish off the previous school year, Miss T and I read “Wonder” together. (Truth be told, we started it together, she finished first, and we chatted about it as I finished it up, finally, in the beginning of June). It’s fantastic. Here’s my quick review (because let’s face it, quick is all I have time for, and if you’re like me, it’s all you have time for):

“Wonder” is the story about a boy with facial deformities, and the transformation that takes place not only in him, but in his family members, friends, classmates and teachers during fifth grade. As a new student, August Pullman was an “outsider” at the prep school not only because he was the new kid, but also because of his deformities. He didn’t fit in, until one by one, his classmates began to give him a chance, until one day, some of the least-likely kids were sticking up for August to older students from another school. I loved every part of the story, and the way R. J. Palacio told August’s story through his eyes, as well as the eyes of his friends and family. In the end, it is all their stories, but it is August who connects them, August who touches their lives and changes them, August who will touch your heart as the reader. I won’t lie, I shed a few tears in this story. I also loved the opportunities to talk with my daughter about the story and the best way we can love others, based on what we read.

This is a great read, good for summer, good for a read with your older child, good for a read in your homeschool…good for anytime. This will be added to our list of books to read again, and I will read it over and over with each of my kids as they near fifth grade.

What is one of your recent reads that you would recommend?