Wonder
by R.J. Palacio
Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman was born with a facial difference and is entering public school for the first time. Told from multiple perspectives, this story explores kindness, bullying, and what it means to belong.
Themes
✅ Why We Recommend This Book
One of the most impactful books for building empathy in children. It sparks meaningful conversations about kindness, inclusion, and seeing the world through someone else's eyes. A must-read for families.
Auggie Pullman has never attended a mainstream school. Born with a severe facial difference, he has been homeschooled his whole life. Now in fifth grade, his parents decide it's time for him to experience school — and Auggie must navigate the social challenges that come with being visibly different in a world that sometimes isn't kind.
Told from the perspectives of Auggie, his sister, and several classmates, the novel shows how one child's courage can change an entire community.
Reading Tips for Parents: Read this together and discuss after each part-change in perspective. Great for talking about how the same situation looks different from different points of view.
Discussion Questions:
- How would you feel if you were Auggie on his first day of school?
- Which character changed the most throughout the story? Why?
- What does "Choose Kind" mean to you in your daily life?
- Have you ever had a chance to stand up for someone who was being treated unfairly?