We're all wonders

Category:  Special Education
Title: We’re All Wonders
Author: R. J. Palacio
Illustrator: R. J. Palacio
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Year: 2017
ISBN Number: 978-1524766498
Number of Pages: 32 (Hardcover)
Reading Level: K-3
Genre: Children’s picture book
 
Summary: This is a story about a little boy who looks different from all of his peers. The illustrations show that he is missing one of his eyes. The book is from the boys point of view and says how he feels like he is a wonder yet people sometimes stare and point at him and it hurts his feelings. When this happens he escapes by pretending he takes a rocket to Pluto and looks back at the earth. He then comments about how the earth is full of different people. We all look and talk differently, and that is what makes us all wonders.
 
Main Themes: The theme of the story is acceptance of other people’s differences. This is shown in the text of the story but also in the illustrations. There are different races shown and children with glasses- not to mention the main character who is missing an eye! It is a great book to introduce the topic of empathy and kindness toward others.
 
Critical Review:
Strengths: The author of this book, R. J. Palacio got her motivation to write this book when she was with her three year old and saw a child that had physical abnormalities. She was not sure what to do in the situation so she quickly whisked her daughter away to keep her from making an embarrassing comment. She later thought about how she could educate her daughter on this and decided to write this book. The book has been made into a major motion picture and started a Choose Kind movement. It is a great story that teaches children about being accepting of others. Wonder has been listed as a #1 New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Top 100 Bestseller, An Indie Bestseller, Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time Selection, and received many other awards and praises.
 
Weaknesses: The story never explicitly says what makes the child different from his peers and why exactly people are pointing or talking about him. It is clear by the illustrations but if one could not see the illustrations they would be confused.
 
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFFhdwVcSYs : This is a link to a youtube read aloud of the text.
 
http://people.com/movies/wonder-rj-palacio-story-behind-book/ : This is a link to an interview with the author that explains her motivation for writing the book.
 
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555247/were-all-wonders-by-written-and-illustrated-by-r-j-palacio/9781524766498/ : This website discusses the awards that the book has received and gives reviews from educators and parents. 

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