Wonder
A quick review of Wonder summarizes what the book covers.
Introduction
Wonder, written by R.J. Palacio, is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel about August "Auggie" Pullman, a boy born with a severe facial deformity, and his journey through middle school. The story is not just about Auggie’s struggle with acceptance, but also about kindness, friendship, courage, and the importance of seeing people for who they truly are. The novel alternates between different character perspectives, giving readers insight into how Auggie’s life impacts those around him.
The chapters are divided into different sections based on the perspective of various characters, each contributing to the overarching theme of compassion, acceptance, and understanding. Here is a chapter-by-chapter summary of Wonder:
Part One: August
Chapter 1: Ordinary
Auggie Pullman introduces himself and explains that, despite his extraordinary face, he considers himself an ordinary kid. He talks about his family, his love for Star Wars, and how his facial deformity has made it difficult for him to live a normal life. Auggie has been homeschooled his entire life due to numerous surgeries and the attention his face draws, but now his parents have decided to send him to school for the first time.
Chapter 2: Why I Didn’t Go to School
Auggie recounts the numerous surgeries he has undergone and explains why he hasn’t attended school until now. He’s nervous about starting middle school at Beecher Prep but understands his parents' desire for him to experience a more normal life.
Chapter 3: How I Came to Life
Auggie explains his birth story and how shocked the doctors and his parents were to see his deformity, a condition called mandibulofacial dysostosis, which is rare and makes his face look different from others.
Chapter 4: Christopher’s House
Auggie talks about his best friend Christopher and how they’ve grown apart because Christopher’s family moved away. This adds to Auggie’s feelings of isolation.
Chapter 5: Driving
On the way to visit Beecher Prep, Auggie and his mom have a conversation about what school will be like. His mom reassures him, but Auggie is still nervous.
Chapter 6: First-Day Jitters
Auggie visits Beecher Prep with his mom. He meets Mr. Tushman, the principal, who introduces him to three students—Jack, Julian, and Charlotte—who give him a tour of the school. Auggie is nervous, and Julian’s condescending attitude makes him uncomfortable.
Part Two: Via
Chapter 7: A Tour of the Galaxy
Olivia, Auggie’s older sister (known as Via), takes over the narrative. She loves her brother deeply but feels neglected by their parents, who devote most of their attention to Auggie’s needs. Via explains how she’s learned to navigate life in the shadow of Auggie’s condition.
Chapter 8: August Through the Peephole
Via talks about her perspective on Auggie and how others react to him. She doesn’t see him as “different” anymore and gets frustrated when people stare at him. She reflects on how protective she is of him, even though she sometimes wishes her family life were more typical.
Chapter 9: High School
Via has just started high school and feels disconnected from her old friends, especially Miranda, who was once her best friend. She starts finding her own identity outside of being Auggie’s sister.
Part Three: Summer
Chapter 10: Weird Kids
Summer, one of Auggie’s new classmates, shares her perspective. She explains how she decided to sit with Auggie at lunch on the first day of school. While other students treat Auggie as an outcast, Summer sees him as a normal kid who deserves kindness.
Chapter 11: The Plague
Summer talks about how some of the kids at Beecher Prep play a game called “The Plague,” where they try to avoid touching Auggie. This makes her angry, and she becomes even more committed to being his friend.
Part Four: Jack
Chapter 12: The Call
Jack, another of Auggie’s classmates, takes over the narrative. He explains how Mr. Tushman asked him to help make Auggie feel welcome at school. Jack initially agrees but isn’t sure how to handle the situation.
Chapter 13: Why I Changed My Mind
Jack recalls a time when he saw Auggie in the park and realized he wasn’t that different from other kids. He started to feel bad for Auggie and wanted to befriend him, but was still worried about what his peers might think.
Chapter 14: The War Begins
Jack and Auggie become good friends, but their friendship is tested when Jack unknowingly says something hurtful about Auggie behind his back. This leads to tension between them, and Jack is ostracized by his classmates when he stands up for Auggie.
Part Five: Justin
Chapter 15: Olivia’s Brother
Justin, Via’s boyfriend, provides his perspective. He talks about how he met Via and learned about Auggie’s condition. He admires Via for her strength and understanding but is nervous about meeting her family.
Chapter 16: The Universe
Justin reflects on how everyone’s lives revolve around Auggie. He understands the challenges Auggie faces and respects the Pullman family for how they handle things. Justin also shares his struggles with feeling accepted, which helps him relate to Auggie in some ways.
Part Six: August
Chapter 17: The War Continues
Auggie reflects on the difficulties of middle school, including the tension with Jack and the bullying from Julian. He feels isolated but is comforted by the support of his parents and Summer.
Chapter 18: The School Play
Auggie is excited about the school play, which Via is starring in. He attends the play, even though he’s nervous about being in a crowd, and feels proud of his sister’s performance.
Part Seven: Miranda
Chapter 19: Camp Lies
Miranda, Via’s former best friend, takes over the narrative. She explains how she once was close to Via but drifted apart when they started high school. Miranda also talks about how she used to lie about having a brother like Auggie to get attention at summer camp.
Chapter 20: The Show
Miranda feels guilty about distancing herself from Via and the Pullman family, but she still cares about them. She eventually reconnects with Via, helping to heal their friendship.
Part Eight: August
Chapter 21: Graduation
As the school year comes to an end, Auggie reflects on how far he has come. At the school’s graduation ceremony, he is surprised and overjoyed when he receives the Henry Ward Beecher Medal, an award for courage, kindness, and character.
Chapter 22: The Walk Home
Auggie and his family walk home after the ceremony, proud of how much he has grown throughout the year. His classmates and teachers now see him as a regular kid, and Auggie finally feels accepted.
Conclusion
Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a powerful novel about overcoming adversity and learning the true meaning of kindness and acceptance. Through the multiple perspectives of Auggie, Via, Jack, Summer, Justin, and Miranda, readers gain a deeper understanding of how one person’s differences can impact an entire community. Auggie’s journey is not just about fitting in but about teaching those around him to be brave, kind, and empathetic. Each chapter adds a new layer to the story, ultimately creating a moving portrait of human resilience and the beauty of friendship.
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