Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is an amazing story about a young boy whose face is distorted because of a birth defect. August struggles with people talking about him and being shocked by his face everyday. Most of his life he is home-schooled but the summer before 5th grade his parents decide it is time for him to start school. As August starts school he tries to ignore the stares and the words that are talked behind his back but it begins to get hard to ignore. This book switches perspectives from August, to his sister, and other people he meets along the way. It is an fantastic story about acceptance and judgement.
I would recommend this book for children in upper elementary school, middle school and even high school students. It teaches the reader how to be more accepting and the realization that everyone has their own problems. In the classroom this book would be great for fifth graders who are about to start middle school or sixth graders who are just starting middle school. This can teach students how to "not judge a book by its over" and to be more accepting of making new friends. Parents could read this to their children who are also in this age group but parents themselves should read it too. Adults can learn how to not judge other adults as well. This book is a warm read with some realistic twists.