LOVE. LOVE. LOVE this book. I knew before I even bought WONDER by R. J. Palacio that I would cry. I purchased the book immediately after watching the trailer for the movie that is coming out later this year starring Owen Wilson (as the dad) and Julia Roberts (as the mom). So I was prepared for the waterworks. What was a surprise was the fact that I cried as much as I did--that there were so many things in the book that moved me to immediate tears. There were several times when I had to put the book down and wipe my tears away so I could continue reading unhindered.
Palacio wrote about Auggie in such a way that I never once pitied him. I hurt that he had to experience all the hurt--physical and emotional--that he did and he was only 10 years old. Auggie demonstrates that our suffering makes us stronger and that even when we CAN'T, we CAN. I love Auggie. And his mom. And his dad. And Via. And Justin. And Miranda. And Summer. And Jack. And all the teachers. And Amos and the other boys.
And I completely agree with Auggie's precept: "Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world.--Auggie" (333).
I desperately want to awaken to the Nearness of God and to be Wonderstruck by Him in all things. Feinberg's book is a wonderful reminder of the fact that God paints the world as He does specifically to show His wonderfulness and how very much He loves us. I find myself being Wonderstruck more each day and to revel in the joy of others being wonderstruck! Just this morning, my husband walked from room to room, window to window throughout our house, enjoying the snow and exclaiming over and over again, "Wow!" I was Wonderstruck by the beauty of the snow, too, but it was so much fun watching my husband as he was Wonderstruck!!!
