Wonderful

If you're looking for a book to make you laugh, cry, and smile into space like a dork, I highly recommend burying your nose in "Wonder." The best-seller by R.J. Palacio will take you on an emotional journey with fifth-grader, August Pullman who is attending school for the very first time. The thing that makes Auggie's story special is his severe facial deformity. August tackles classes, making new friends, and bullies for the first time, all with the added challenge of having a face that causes others to scream.

What Palacio does exceptionally well is bring readers into the minds of the fifth-graders. The story is told through the viewpoints of children, but I never felt disconnected from the action because of my age. The chapters are also short, only about a page and a half each, so it's an easy book to breeze right through.

I don't often become emotional while reading, but with "Wonder," I couldn't help shedding a few tears. This book just does that to you. It's honest, it's heartfelt, and it gives you hope of the kindness that can be found in other people.