Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wow!  I feel the need to say right up front that this is one of the best books I have ever read.  Wonder by R. J. Palacio (Lexile: 790, Reading Level: Grades 4-8) is a story about a boy named August who starts school for the first time in the 5th grade.  Prior to the 5th grade, he was home-schooled because of the high number of surgeries he had to fix a facial deformity.  This story is told from multiple points of view, including that of August, his sister, his friends and his sister's boyfriend.   The story begins with August telling about his first visit to his new middle school, and his meeting with the students whom the principal picked to act as his friends.  This is awkward for August, and it begins a year of glorious, if painful, growth as he daily encounters the mean behavior of other students.  The story continues following August through the various things that happen during his first year at school, including his favorite holiday (Halloween, because he can wear a mask and look like anyone else), forming new friendships, having problems with these friends, and figuring out how to find the courage to continue going to school each day.  I highly recommend this book to everyone because everyone has things that they need to overcome, and August's story gives us courage to stand up and be ourselves.

---