WONDER - R.J. Palacio

A blessing of a debut novel, Wonder tells the story of August "Auggie" Pullman, a young boy in New York born with a set of craniofacial anomalies that have left his facial features radically distorted.  Only ten years old, he's already dealt with multiple surgeries since infancy, having to eat and breath through tubes prior to some of those surgeries, and spending his entire life homeschooled due to his many doctor and hospital visits.  But all that's changed now, for the fifth grade Auggie is finally going to a real school - Beecher Prep - and he's terrified of what life among other children (whom he already knows can be incredibly cruel) will be like.  Told through various narrative viewpoints - Auggie (mostly), a couple of his new friends, his sister, and more - Wonder chronicles perfectly Auggie's hopes, fears, insecurities, dreams, determination, frustrations, and his desire to simply be normal in a world that views him as anything but.  Beautifully written, touching and real and a book every parent and teacher needs to read, upon publication Wonder - the incredible story of an unaccountably brave little boy - became a #1 bestseller, inspired an entire "Choose Kind" movement, and raised awareness around the world.  There are legions of fans who even, because of this book, celebrate Auggie's birthday every year; now that is a powerful novel.  *****