“I know I’m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an XBox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary, I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go. If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all. I would wish I could walk down the street without people seeing me and then doing that look-away thing.
Here’s what I think: the only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.”
Introducing the selection for our sixth annual town-wide reading celebration:
![[Cover]](http://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780375899881/LC.GIF&client=203-256-3155&type=xw12&upc=&oclc=&)
August Pullman, the protagonist of Wonder, was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school – until now. He’s about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?
First-time author R.J. Palacio has crafted an uplifting novel full of wonderfully realistic family interactions, lively school scenes, and writing that shines with emotional power. R.J. will be visiting Fairfield for our signature One Book One Town event on Thursday, March 14 at the Fairfield University Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. More information on this and other One Book One Town events and programs is coming soon.
Pick up your copy of Wonder at the Fairfield Public Library, the Fairfield Woods Branch Library, the Pequot Library or the Fairfield University Bookstore.
Choose Kindness … the message of the morning as the OBOT announcement, Wonder by first-time author R.J. Palacio, was made today . . . is a great message!
Looking forward to reading the book and joining in the town-wide conversation and opportunities to choose kindness!!
I’m thrilled to read that this book was selected.
I serve as Board Chair for Children’s Craniofacial Association. Please visit our website for resources and online links related to Wonder. We offer a “Real-Life Connection” to the book through our CCA WonderKid program. Contact Annie Reeves in our Dallas office if you would like CCA to provide materials or participate in the Town Read. We love the Choose Kind message and Wonder!
Love all the blue OBOT signs popping up all over town!,
An inspired and inspiring choice. My 4th grader loves this book, as do I. I am thrilled to know our wonderful town will share in Auggie’s journey, and we will be a better place because of this.
This book is an incredible read! It is/will bring generations together! It is a book that really can make you wonder, stop and have a conversation…would I? could I? should I? I have not finished it yet…each day, I can’t wait to get my hands on it (have to “fight” my daughter for it!) to read a chapter or two or three. I am finding I don’t have to read a lot in one day to really leave me pondering my own actions and those of the people I see each day!(especially in my school as an elementary literacy specialist!)
Great choice for One Book One Town…proud to be a Fairfielder!!