by Elijah Jefferson

The book that has transformed me as a person and how I work is Wonder by R.J Palicio. My first time encountering this book was in 5th grade during my Reading class and this was assigned as the class novel. The first time reading this I was very reluctant to read it because I thought it was going to be very corny and something that I would not have any interest in reading. Over the course of the class and reading this book I started to realize that this book had a big emotional and life changing message behind it. My perspective of the book changed when I grew to connect with Auggie because of his physical disability and the way he was treated. I understood that he went through the same types of things that I went through in my life and that made me really like the book more and really want to keep reading it. A part of the book I really connected to was when Auggie says “ I wish everyday was Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could walk around and get to know each other before we get to see what we looked like under the masks’ ‘ (Palacio page 73). I connected with this part because Auggie wanted to be known for something other than his looks that made him different and I can connect to that because sometimes I also desire to be invisible and not have anyone know how I’m different from them because people look at you differently. I understand why he wanted to wear masks all the time because it would allow for him to  blend in without people treating him different from one another because he is inherently different from others.

I understand why he wanted to wear masks all the time because it would allow for him to blend in without people treating him different from one another because he is inherently different from others.

I connect with this because as I had cancer when I was younger I have always been bullied for it and sometimes I just wish I was invisible and was not different from everyone. The book gave me a clear sense of my identity because just like Auggie I came to understand that my past and my differences are what makes me the person I truly am.  Wonder changed me because the theme of the book was kindness and how kindness can be overlooked a lot of the times but as one of my favorite quotes says “ no act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted” ( Aristotle). This quote relates to this book and my life because personally I will never forget the people who treated me like a normal human being when they found out about my past just as well as i’m sure Auggie will never forget those that were nice to him from the start of his journey to the end of his journey. I say this because people can forget what you say and what you do but they will never forget how you made them feel. In the real world you make more of a difference helping people and being nice than you do just saying that you’re there for them or something and it really shows how much you are there for them in life. Another reason I really connect to this book is because sometimes you expect the worst in a situation that never turns out that way. In Section 6 of the book Auggie says “ Funny how sometimes you worry a lot about something and it turns out to be nothing” ( Palacio page 215). This quote speaks volumes because as the main character Auggie usually prepares to be bullied and everything in his life but never expected to find friends that really care about him and want the best for himself. This connects to life because sometimes you expect the worst from people and they surprise you and never actually let you down as you expected. This quote spoke to me because it showed me that I have to stop assuming the worst out of people and allow for some hope and a good situation at the end of the day. R.J Palacio wrote this book with so many messages and it really spoke to me so much because it was so powerful to see that other people went through the same thing that I went through in my life going to school after having a medical condition.

it was so powerful to see that other people went through the same thing that I went through in my life going to school after having a medical condition.

The reason this novel was so touching to me was because I feel like God gives his toughest soldiers the toughest journeys and it wasn’t until I realized that that the reason I’ve been through so much in my life is because God knew I would make it through it all and prevail after all. 

The book Wonder was so life changing because it changed the way I approached life and challenges. Palacio was so instrumental in developing my character because I learned so many things from this novel and it helped so much. If I had never read this book I would not be the person I am today because I would have never had the confidence to be my own person and be proud of my flaws.

If I had never read this book I would not be the person I am today because I would have never had the confidence to be my own person and be proud of my flaws.

Written for LANG 120 with Ayelet Even-Nur