You could not pay me enough to ever relive middle school, and luckily that is not an option. Middle school is bad enough. Wonder explores middle school through the life of August (Auggie) Pullman, a boy with an extreme facial deformity attending school for the first time. 
 Unsurprisingly, days after I finished this novel (which has been getting some fabulous press for a while now) a screenwriter was announced for a movie adaption. I think this is a very strong and important story to reach a potentially larger audience. I also think the source material provides some inherent challenges for that adaption. For one, Palacio is purposefully vague about the exact nature of Auggie's deformity. This is a powerful tool. The descriptions are specific enough at times that it becomes clear the author has a vision. It's not a matter of half-formed ideas. Rather, our own imagination conjures up what is worst for us. 
 Wonder doesn't sugar coat things. There are always going to be Julian's (a particularly nasty bully) in life. I give Palacio extreme credit as well for exploring the idea that the parents of the Julian's of the world are the ones that help foster these ideas. Kids can be cruel. This is evidenced by Auggie's initial reception at Beecher Prep, including the idea that any student that comes into physical contact with Auggie has to wash their hands within a certain amount of time. This detail pulled at my heart and sickened me. It also forced me to attempt to recollect if anything similar went on in my time in middle school, because it didn't sound all that foreign. Did I miss the opportunity to stand up for someone, lost in my own loneliness and angst? And I think that's exactly what this book is supposed to get us to think about. 
 I did have a couple nitpicks with the book. I understand why Palacio used multiple POVs to tell the story, although I may have left some out, including the narrative's of Auggie's sister's boyfriend and best friend. Overall though, this seems like chump change to what I took way from Auggie's story. 
 Does Wonder pander to our sentimentality at times? Yes. But even Auggie recognizes that. More importantly, I would challenge almost any middle schooler to get through their 3-4 years with the strength and courage that Auggie demonstrates. He is an example, to those of all ages. What a beautiful reminder of what strength, character, and kindness really are, as well as the fact that we all can get through middle school. I can't think of a better time than middle school to attempt to put a little more empathy into the world. I would not be surprised to see this become an English class staple over the years. 
 And never forget, everyone deserves a standing ovation in their life at least once. 
 http://teaandtomes.wordpress.com/2013...