Read. This. Book.

There is no doubt that I am a reader. I can't function if I'm not reading a book for at least a few minutes every day. Every now and then I read a book that literally affects me in a physical sense, and makes me want to change the world. 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is one of those books.

I started this book last night because it's one of my kid's SSYR books this year, and I like to read what they read. I had NO idea that I would be affected this much. I laughed out loud several times, and I cried from both sadness but mostly happiness. And inspiration. This book smacked me in the face like a neon sign that says, DO SOMETHING!

It's about a little pistol of a human being, August "Auggie" Pullman. He's in fifth grade, and he has facial deformities. I literally want to be this kid when I grow up. This book is all about his journey through the fifth grade, and it doesn't matter if you are ten, sixteen, twenty-five, or seventy-five. This books teaches awareness, humility, love of the greatest kind, friendship, diversity, and strength. 

I NEED to do something with this book. I plan on incorporating it into my own classroom and I plan on speaking to my principal because I have some big ideas for my school too. I will update the blog as I try to make these ideas happen. 

It gives new meaning to the word "ordinary" and the author did something so brilliant with her writing that I didn't even know she was doing until halfway through the book.  She taught a very valuable lesson about tolerance without ever having to say it out loud. It was so subtle I almost missed it. If you read it, you'll know what I mean. 

This needs to be read by everyone. Period. Go right now and borrow from your library, download it on your e-reader this second, or drive to the store ASAP and grab a copy.

But make sure to clear your schedule! You will not be able to put it down. Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Happy reading!