Wonder - The Book

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

Wonder by RJ Palacio. Every now and again a book comes along. It grabs your attention with the cover or the blurb or the first sentence. It grabs your heart on page one with these words: "If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all. I would wish that I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing." And then it doesn't let go.

It makes you cry. It makes you laugh. It makes you appreciate your dog more. It shows you the meaning of heroism and courage, in such a fun non-patronising way, that you don't even realise it. And it really, really makes you want to be a better person.

You can read it to your 8-year old. You can read it for your own pleasure whether you're 18 or 80.

“... it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.” 
― R.J. Palacio, Wonder