Did You Ever Wonder If You Fit In?

As uncomfortable and defining of a moment as that was in my childhood, I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been to have had the extra challenge of having a physical deformity to accompany my insecurities.

I still will not profess to have a thorough understanding, but thanks to Social Moms for inviting me to read R.J. Palacio’s new book “Wonder” and create a sponsored post, I have caught a glimpse – one that has altered my perceptions and inspired me to spend time re-reading this book with my pre-teen and teenage sons.

In “Wonder,” August Pullman is a young man who was born with a facial difference that, due to the need for extensive surgeries, prevented him from going to a mainstream school. His introduction to school begins in the fifth grade at Beecher Prep and though he wants nothing more than to be treated as an “ordinary” student, his new classmates struggle to accept Auggie and his extraordinary face.

Narrated from alternate points of views, the reader is led on a journey to discover the innermost thoughts, fears, triumphs, disappointments and hopes of Auggie, his classmates, his sister, and others.  As a collective, the characters in “Wonder” explore the epidemic world of bullying in an honest and poignant story of empathy, compassion, and acceptance that has the power to change the way people think.

Reading “Wonder” transported me back to moments in my childhood, my teen years and even my adulthood.  Throughout the journey, I couldn’t help but think of the challenges I currently face in helping to navigate my sons through a middle school world that is fraught with bullying pitfalls.

It encouraged me to share my experiences with them, along with the end result – I never did quite “fit in” with the children I attended elementary school with, but later I was able to accept and embrace the person I was and have become.  That experience helped me respect and appreciate other people’s differences and to choose compassion and kindness, even when faced with adversity.

We are only a short way into reading the book as a family, but my children have already opened up more, sharing their stories and concerns with classmates, allowing us to openly discuss the ill effects of bullying and how to better handle situations we encounter when people are “different” from what we consider to be “ordinary.”

Being different doesn’t change who we are.  How people react to our difference is a reflection of their persona, not ours.  How we react is what we own and Auggie is heroic in his ability to overcome challenges we can hardly perceive.  As we all are, Auggie was born to stand out, not to blend in.

Consider adding “Wonder” to your holidays.  This inspiring book is an excellent family reader, a lovely gift for a child or adult who may be struggling with self-esteem issues, and a lovely, poignant reminder of what true spirit and compassion really are!

For more information or to purchase, visit http://bit.ly/1c7x1P9