TITLE & AUTOR: Wonder, R.J. Palacio

BRIEF SUMMARY: August or for friends Auggie is an almost normal ten-year-old boy who likes ice cream, riding his bike, is a fan of Star Wars, and loves to play with his console. August lives with his family: his father, his mother, his sister Olivia (Via) and his dog Daisy on the Uper West Side of New York. Our protagonist was born with a hereditary disease of unpronounceable name and as a consequence his face is deformed, that is why from that moment August has to go many times to the doctor and undergo many operations, in order to have a normal life.

Despite the numerous surgeries, August’s face remains deformed and people continue to look at it in the same way; horrified and scared. After all these years, August is already used to being the topic of conversation but also to the glances and gossip of the people. This situation for August is a routine and tries to make these comments affect him as little as possible.

Due to his deformity he can’t attend school so his mother is in charge  of his education, but there comes a time when his mother doesn’t have the necessary knowledge to help him with his studies and believes that it is best for him to go to school. This idea at first doesn’t excite him, like his father, but in the end he agrees to see the director of the school, Mr. Traseronian, who will introduce him to several children who will show him the facilities. But one of them isn’t as kind to him as he should be and in the successive days of the course he will make August’s life impossible. So much of the story revolves around the comings and goings of August at school. If he makes friends,  how the children treat him, how the parents react to the fact that he is there.

The everyday life of August at school is going to be complicated; we all know how bad children of that age can become. And August for being like he is will be the center of attention. Little by little, August is making his space at school, making friends, and feeling as he has always wanted to feel, like a normal child. But to get there, he has to go through very difficult situations for him. Thanks to the school August will learn a lesson that is not taught in the classes; that is to accept himself as he is, smile the grey days and know that in the end you will always find a helping hand.

OPINION: The book shows a story of overcoming and tolerance. First I didn’t like the book but as I was reading I liked it more because it is a book that makes you reflect on things you never thought before; you put yourself in the harsh situation of the father, mother, sister and friends, but especially August. I was also impressed because the writer was inspired by a girl who has a deformation and imagined her story. This book, for me transmits that we are as we can be  in some way, especially if you have people around you who value you as you are, that your physical appearance is not important, it does not matter what race you are. People who love you only value the most important things, which are your feelings and emotions.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?:
I would recommend this book to people aged between 15-17 years old and I believe that  everyone could read it without age differences because it is a real story.

A. CASTELLS