by R.J. Palacio
This book is very special. I absolutely loved it. I was totally drawn into Auggie and Company, as the author refers to the characters in this book. The story highlights the first year of middle school for ten year old Auggie, who has a craniofacial condition that has disfigured his head/face and causes him to undergo something like 27 surgeries. We see the other kids’ reactions to him, along with teachers, administrators, parents and his own family members. I was engrossed in the story. I shed a lot of tears, belly laughed at times, and smiled a lot. Auggie says that every person should be given a standing ovation at some point in their life. Consider this review my standing ovation! Bravo RJ Palacio. What a book! What a gift to adults and children alike with a message to choose kindness even when not necessary. What a Wonder indeed!