What This Book Is About
August "Auggie" Pullman was born with severe facial differences that have kept him out of mainstream school his entire life. Now ten years old, his parents decide it's time for him to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, a private school in New York City. For Auggie, walking into a classroom where everyone stares, whispers, and avoids sitting next to him is harder than any surgery he's ever endured. But Auggie is funny, smart, and braver than he knows—and his journey through one extraordinary school year will change everyone around him.
R.J. Palacio tells the story from six different perspectives—Auggie, his sister Via, her boyfriend, and three classmates—creating a mosaic of voices that shows how one child's courage radiates outward and transforms an entire community. A number one New York Times bestseller with over 16 million copies sold worldwide, Wonder sparked a global "Choose Kind" movement and was adapted into a hit film starring Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay. It is one of the most important books about empathy published in the last two decades.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Wonder is a natural fit for UWC's mission of building empathy across differences. In a school where students come from dozens of countries and cultures, this book gives children a visceral understanding of what it means to be "the new kid" who doesn't look like everyone else. The multi-perspective structure teaches students to step into other people's shoes—a skill that is central to UWC's approach to international-mindedness and conflict resolution.
The novel also introduces Mr. Browne's monthly precepts—short moral maxims like "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind"—which teachers frequently use as discussion prompts and writing starters. For Grade 5 students transitioning into more complex social dynamics, Wonder provides both a mirror and a window: a mirror for children who have ever felt different, and a window into the courage it takes to welcome those who are.
Reading Level Guide
Challenging at A2 due to the book's length and multiple narrators. Try The Wild Robot or Stuntboy in the Meantime first.
Perfect difficulty. The conversational tone and short chapters make it very readable despite its length.
A comfortable, quick read at B2. The emotional depth still rewards advanced readers.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free 30-minute English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.