Well, here it is. In my second post ever (back in 2012 – are you kidding me???), I suggested a few books to buy your loved ones for Christmas, and top of that list was Wonder by RJ Palacio.
Since my very important and lofty review of said book, it has blown up. There are special editions at Barnes and Noble, companion stories and Wonder-themed journals. And now there is a movie coming out starring the amazingly perfect Jacob Tremblay’s dad’s son, Jacob Tremblay. You’re welcome, RJ.
AUGGIE (Jacob Tremblay) and JACK WILL (Noah Jupe) in WONDER. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Entertainment.
Wonder is one of the best books of the decade. Auggie’s story is powerful, moving, sweet and unforgettable. Yes, it’s a middle grade novel written for middle graders. But it is an empathy wagon train, and what are reading fiction for if not to grow into better, more empathetic people? If you haven’t read it, you should. Right now. Bring tissues.
Also, watch this trailer for the movie with tissues.
In the book, Auggie’s face is not fully described. There are aspects to his appearance that are (like the way he eats), but the details what he looks like are left to the reader, in many ways. So I found the theatrical interpretation of what a young boy who’d gone through those types of surgeries would look like the most shocking part of the trailer.
He’s so adorable!
We watch teen movies all the time where the new kid comes to school and gets treated like trash by the cool kids. Watching a bunch of 5th graders do it for at least half a movie is going to be ROUGH. The hashtag #ChooseKind is already making me tear up.
Thank heavens we also get to watch Daveed Diggs in action. DAVEED. IS. IN. THIS. MOVIE. AS. A. COOL. ENLIGHTENED. ELEMENTARY. TEACHER.
Daveed Diggs as “Mr.Browne” in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.
We should all have been so lucky.
Sidenote: What kind of Quirky Whimsical Hell would life be if Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson were your parents? DEAR GOD. The quirkiness would.never.stop.
From L to R: Owen Wilson as “Nate,” Jacob Tremblay as “Auggie,” Izabela Vidovic as “Via” and Julia Roberts as “Isabel” in WONDER. Photo by Dale Robinette.
