Wonder by R.J. Palacio Book Review

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A Story That’ll Wreck You (In the Best Way)

Through the Eyes of Faith, Family, and a Little Boy with a Big Heart

💬 Let’s Talk—Why This Book MattersYou ever read something and just stop mid-page, breathe deep, and think, “God... I needed this”? That’s Wonder. It’s not a “Christian” book per se, but it’s one of the most Christ-like stories I’ve read in years.

Written for middle graders—but powerful enough to punch any adult in the gut--Wonder follows Auggie Pullman, a 10-year-old boy with a severe facial difference, stepping into mainstream school for the first time. What unfolds is less a school story and more a parable of grace, rejection, courage, and identity.

This isn’t just a good read. This is a tool. A tool to talk to your kids about kindness, bullying, self-worth, how we see others—and how God sees us.

👀 Family-Friendliness Scorecard

• Recommended Age: 9+ (with parent conversations encouraged)
• Profanity/Curses: Very light and minimal
  • “Crap” – 2 times
  • “Oh God” or “Oh my God” – 4–5 times (note: contextually used by kids, not in vain directly, but needs addressing biblically)
  • “Dumb” and “idiot” – a few times, often as examples of bullying
• Violence: Some emotional bullying, light physical altercation (middle school level)
• Sexual Content: None

📖 The Good, The Bad, and the UglyThe Good:

• Kindness is cool. The book’s message--"When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind."
• Highlights empathy in a way that reminds us of Jesus bending down to touch the leper (Mark 1:40–45).
• Explores the tension of identity and insecurity—something nearly every middle-schooler (and parent!) wrestles with.

The Bad:

• God is mentioned casually, sometimes flippantly, and without reverence. It’s a good moment to teach your kids about taking the Lord’s name seriously (Exodus 20:7).
• The story leans heavily on humanistic kindness but misses an opportunity to root that kindness in Christ.

The Ugly:

• The heartbreak of how Auggie is treated early on is real. If you or your child has experienced rejection or bullying, this book might hit hard--but in a healing way.

🕊️ Biblical Reflections:

• On Identity: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
• On Courage: “Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your God is with you.” (Joshua 1:9)
• On Kindness: “Be kind and compassionate to one another...” (Ephesians 4:32)

💡 Takeaway for Christian FamiliesWonder opens up beautiful spiritual conversations:

• What does the Bible say about how we treat those who are different?
• How does Christ love those the world rejects?
• Are we living in a way where our love sticks out like Auggie's smile?

This book doesn’t just tell a story. It equips your family for real-world faith in action. Every chapter can be a devotion. Every character, a mirror.

📚 Final Word from Dr. Mac
Read this with your kids. Cry together. Laugh together. And use it to remind them—and yourself—that in a world obsessed with appearances, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

✝️ Your Next Faith-Focused Step:
Looking for more book reviews like this? Dive into our full collection at www.laynemcdonald.com.

If your family’s navigating bullying, identity, or needs prayer support, visit us at www.famemphis.org. Our team would love to walk alongside you.
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💬 Let’s turn reading time back into God’s time—one story, one soul at a time.