Wonder
Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a powerful and heartwarming middle-grade novel that centers on August "Auggie" Pullman, a ten-year-old boy with severe facial differences. After being homeschooled for years, Auggie embarks on the challenging journey of attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time, starting fifth grade at Beecher Prep. The story is told through multiple perspectives, including Auggie, his older sister Via, and several of his classmates, offering a nuanced view of the struggles and triumphs associated with empathy, acceptance, and prejudice. The book explores themes of kindness, friendship, family love, and the courage it takes to be oneself in a world that often judges by appearance. It is widely praised for its ability to foster compassion and understanding among readers. Targeting a middle-grade audience (typically ages 8-12), the novel handles sensitive topics such as bullying and social exclusion with realism and grace. While it contains some emotional intensity and mild language common in stories about school life, the overarching message is one of positivity and the transformative power of choosing kindness. The book has inspired a global movement to "Choose Kind" and is often used in educational settings to facilitate discussions on social-emotional learning and anti-bullying initiatives. Its spin-off books expand on the universe, offering additional character perspectives and exploring related themes, but the core novel remains a standalone narrative about Auggie's impactful first year at school.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe book includes instances of emotional and physical bullying, which are central to Auggie's experiences at school. While graphic violence or gore is absent, the emotional impact of persistent bullying and a brief physical altercation can be intense for young readers. The death of a family pet also contributes to emotional intensity.
Julian and his friends repeatedly engage in emotional bullying, making cruel remarks about Auggie's appearance, comparing him to a 'burn victim,' and initiating a 'Plague' game to avoid touching him. Later in the book, August and Jack Will are physically assaulted by a group of older seventh-grade students at a carnival, resulting in a brief scuffle before other friends intervene. The beloved family dog, Daisy, passes away and is put to sleep, which is portrayed as a very emotional scene for Auggie and his family.
Profanity
MediumThe novel contains some mild profanity and euphemisms, consistent with middle-grade realistic fiction. These include common informal terms and a few instances of misusing God's name, as noted by content reviewers. The language is not pervasive or highly offensive.
Reviewers have identified the use of "rough language and euphemisms" such as 'geez,' 'heck,' 'freak,' and 'shut up' within the dialogue. Additionally, "10 religious exclamations" involving the misuse of God's name are specifically cited in content analyses. In a moment of frustration, Jack Will says he would "rather kill himself than look like Auggie," though this is an expression of intense feeling rather than a literal threat.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumWhile not a horror story, "Wonder" contains emotionally intense content, primarily stemming from severe social exclusion, prejudice, and bullying directed at Auggie due to his facial differences. This can be distressing for young readers. A physical scuffle and the emotional impact of a pet's death also contribute to the intensity.
Auggie endures significant emotional distress from bullying, including being stared at, whispered about, and having his classmates play the 'Plague' game, where they avoid touching him. Julian, a prominent bully, makes cruel remarks about Auggie's face. There is a scene at a carnival where Auggie and Jack Will are accosted and physically threatened by older students, leading to a brief fight. The passing of Auggie's beloved dog, Daisy, is an emotional and intense moment for the family.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumInstances of disrespect and rebellious behavior are present, primarily through the actions of middle school bullies and typical adolescent frustrations. These include verbal taunts, social exclusion, and occasional defiance of parental or school authority figures, which are part of the challenges Auggie faces.
Julian and his group of friends demonstrate significant disrespect towards Auggie through incessant teasing, hurtful comments about his appearance, and actively excluding him from social interactions. Auggie's older sister, Via, at times exhibits typical teenage frustrations and minor rebellion, feeling neglected by her parents due to their focus on Auggie's needs. She sometimes keeps secrets from her parents about her social life at high school, highlighting a degree of independent, somewhat rebellious, behavior.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThe novel "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio does not feature explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes. One review noted a minor instance where "your boyfriend" was used pejoratively. The author, R.J. Palacio, has publicly expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights, but this is separate from the content of the main novel. A spin-off picture book, "We're All Wonders," is reported to include subtle LGBTQ representation via visual shorthand, but this analysis focuses on the primary novel.
A review from Disability in Kidlit explicitly states, "For a book published so recently, set in New York City, it is also sad – and somewhat surprising – that there are no nods to LGBTQIA identities. The one (upsetting) exception is a character's use of 'your boyfriend' as a pejorative against an antagonist late in the story." Additionally, a review from The Hopepunk Book Club noted, "Queer: No. The central characters are all about ten and although some of them are 'dating', by the admission of the characters involved this basically means going out for ice-cream after school."
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomantic content in "Wonder" is mild and appropriate for its middle-grade audience. It primarily features innocent crushes and mentions of age-appropriate 'dating' among young characters, which typically involves casual social activities. There are no explicit sexual acts, graphic nudity, or overtly suggestive language.
Auggie's older sister, Via, has a boyfriend named Justin, and their relationship is depicted innocently, focusing on companionship and support without explicit romantic details. Among Auggie's peers, discussions of 'boyfriends/girlfriends' are present, but a review clarifies that this activity is limited to social outings such as "going out for ice-cream after school." There is also a brief, vague reference to a teenage girl mentioning sneaking out to boys' cabins at camp, with no further specifics.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe novel "Wonder" is a work of realistic fiction and contains no elements of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, spells, or any explicit supernatural themes. The narrative focuses entirely on real-world experiences and human relationships.
The story's plot and character developments are grounded in the everyday lives of Auggie and his family and friends, dealing with social challenges related to his facial difference. There are no characters who practice magic or engage with the occult. The world of "Wonder" is entirely secular and non-magical.
Substance Use
LowThe book contains no depictions of characters actively using illegal drugs, consuming alcohol to excess, or smoking. There are no themes of addiction, drug trafficking, or explicit references to substance abuse within the narrative.
The narrative focuses on middle-grade students and their immediate families, with no plotlines or background details that involve substance use. No characters are shown engaging in drug or alcohol consumption, nor are there discussions about such activities.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe novel "Wonder" does not contain anti-Christian themes. It promotes universal virtues such as kindness, compassion, and acceptance, which are broadly compatible with Christian teachings. While not overtly religious, a discussion guide notes a biblical quote, "Everyone born of God overcometh the world," was whispered to Auggie's mother at his birth, suggesting a subtle spiritual undertone of hope and triumph.
Mr. Tushman, the principal, and Mr. Browne, Auggie's English teacher, frequently emphasize the importance of 'choosing kind' and living by precepts, which are positive moral guidelines that align with Christian values of charity and empathy. A discussion resource highlights that when Auggie was born, a nurse whispered to his mother, "Everyone born of God overcometh the world," a direct quote from 1 John 5:4, subtly connecting Auggie's journey to a message of faith and overcoming adversity.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
10+ due to the emotional intensity of bullying, social exclusion, and prejudice, along with some mild language, which may be challenging for younger or more sensitive readers. This recommendation allows for better emotional and thematic comprehension, encouraging parental guidance for discussion and support.
Additional Notes
The novel serves as an excellent tool for fostering empathy and discussing difficult social situations like bullying, appearance-based prejudice, and the importance of inner character. Parental involvement and discussion are highly recommended for younger or sensitive readers to process the emotional challenges Auggie faces.
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