Reaction to Wonder

If I remember correctly, at ten years old, I was mostly concerned with whom I would sit next to in class or if I was up to date on the latest Limited Too outfit. At ten years old, I was one of the oh, so lucky ones to hit puberty years before her peers and was already a year into my two-year braces contract. At ten years old, I considered my life to be hard because I was awkward and somewhat misunderstood. But at ten years old, my acne brace-face and training bra and awkward 5'2" frame never stopped someone dead in his/her tracks or gave children nightmares. At ten years old, August Pullman had already gained ten years worth of that experience, and unlike me, he will never grow out of this phase. August Pullman is a wonder.

Despite the fact that R. J. Palacio's Wonder is a fictional story about a boy with a genetic disorder that caused physical abnormalities on his face, it reveals a devastating truth about our intolerance as a society. At any moment during the day, I can turn on the television, open up a newspaper, or read a post on Facebook that stresses "human equality." A person's gender, skin color, sexual preference, or socioeconomic status does not define that person; instead, we must look past these certain characteristics in order to truly embrace and advocate for equality. Oh, but if you are not beautiful, are not as tall and lean as a bean, do not have flawless skin, or do not have a six-pack, then yes, you will be judged.

I think we permit, and sometimes encourage, the judgment of a person's physical appearance because many believe that it is something that can be fixed. If you're fat: work out! If you have crooked teeth: get braces! If you have frizzy hair: buy some product! In reality, if we do not have the tolerance for people who have any number of physical "flaws," then we sure as hell do not have time to integrate and accept those born with physical abnormalities into our "society of equality."

By presenting the novel's events through several first-person narratives, R. J. Palacio is able to develop a more complete understanding for his readers about the characters and their mentality. While August is the main character and focus of the story, Palacio considers the perspectives of other characters so that they may voice their experiences not only pertaining to August's appearance but also pertaining to their own insecurities: divorce, poverty, death, neglect, friendship, and poor grades.
I think Palacio does a wonderful job unmasking an ugly truth about our society’s perception of those born with physical defects. We gawk and point and shudder at the mere existence of a human being, often without noticing we are doing such things. In the case of August Pullman, his interests, kind personality, and impressive intellect were overshadowed by the cast of a rare chromosomal deficiency that affected his facial appearance. It was only months after being at his new school did his peers, teachers, and other parents uncover who he really was as an individual.

I would definitely recommend reading this book to middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults because it contains a truth about how we treat those who look different and how these hurtful actions affect the individual and his/her family and friends. It stresses the importance of kindness and the wonders it can carry. After reading Wonder, I realize that I had it pretty good at ten years old.