I can't believe that this amazingly beautiful book escaped my attention for so long. If you buy it, make sure that you get the Julian Chapter as well which was written nearly two years after Wonder. I think this book should be essential reading for everyone, adults as well as children.

August Pullman, called Auggie, was born with a face and head that is severely deformed. Partly because of the large number of operations he has had, and also to protect him from the inquisitive eyes of other children, he has been home schooled. Now, in year six he is starting school for the first time and he is very nervous. The head of his school invites some carefully chosen children to meet him during the holiday and the book goes on to tell the story of his first year at school. The story is told, not only by Auggie but by other people whom his life crosses so we get to read several people's point of view. Inevitably Auggie is tragically bullied and even children that he thought were his friends let him down on occasion. The only day at school that Auggie really enjoys is Halloween, because he can cover his face with a mask but even then the day ends really sadly for him.

I like many of the characters in this book, particularly Summer and Charlotte who are always kind to Auggie. Mr Brown, the English teacher, who has a precept (sort of a rule for living morally) for every month of the year. My favourite precept was always be kind more than is needed. My precept would be "before you open your mouth to gossip about someone, always put yourselves in their shoes first". I feel sorry for Auggie's sister Via because even though she loves her brother very much, she sometimes feels neglected because a lot of their parents energy is spent trying to make life better for Auggie. Things come to a climax when Auggie's class go on a residential camp, but the outcome completely changes Auggie's position in the school.

The book is beautifully written and I sped through it in a day, but later I returned to it and read some parts again. It was interesting to read R J Palacio's acknowledgements at the end of the book where I found out what made her write it.

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