ParentsPick

Wonder — Content Guide for Parents

By R. J. PalacioRandom House Children's BooksISBN 9780375869020320 pages
Wonder

Found in this book

  • ViolenceSupporting
  • Scary contentBrief

Not found

  • Religion
  • Race & culture
  • Profanity
  • Climate
  • Sexual content
  • Gender roles
  • Gender & orientation

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.

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Religion

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.

And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!

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

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.

R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Wonder appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    Jack punches a classmate, older kids from school physically assault Auggie and his friends, and older students from another school attack Auggie and Jack on the nature trip. The book includes a frightening attack on Auggie and Jack in the woods and the death of the family's dog, Daisy.

  • Does Wonder have violence?

    Found (Supporting): Jack punches a classmate, older kids from school physically assault Auggie and his friends, and older students from another school attack Auggie and Jack on the nature trip.

  • Does Wonder have scary content?

    Found (Brief): The book includes a frightening attack on Auggie and Jack in the woods and the death of the family's dog, Daisy.

  • Does Wonder have religion?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have race & culture?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have profanity?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have climate?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have sexual content?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have gender roles?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Wonder have gender & orientation?

    Not found in the sources we checked.