Auggie has a cocktail of genetic disorders that affects his facial features. After years of homeschooling, his parents decide to send him to school with other children. Wonder shares Auggie’s story from multiple perspectives: Auggie, his older sister, and several classmates.
This young adult novel is engaging. However, I read the book as an adult and mother. I was moved by the experience of Via, Auggie’s sister. As the healthy child, she has had to sacrifice her parents’ time and attention to her younger brother. I felt emotional reading about Auggie’s genetic disorders since I also unknowingly passed on a genetic disease to my own children.
I wonder, though, how a child or teen would react to this book. Would they be as repulsed by Auggie as his classmates are? Would they develop empathy from reading the book? Would they relate to Via’s position? Or is this really a book for adults?
This young adult novel is engaging. However, I read the book as an adult and mother. I was moved by the experience of Via, Auggie’s sister. As the healthy child, she has had to sacrifice her parents’ time and attention to her younger brother. I felt emotional reading about Auggie’s genetic disorders since I also unknowingly passed on a genetic disease to my own children.
I wonder, though, how a child or teen would react to this book. Would they be as repulsed by Auggie as his classmates are? Would they develop empathy from reading the book? Would they relate to Via’s position? Or is this really a book for adults?
