A “Wonder”-ful novel brought to film

 Wonder, a novel-to-film production, has proven itself host the potential for conversations about bullying, social acceptance and societal “norms.” Based off the children’s novel by Raquel J. Palacio, Wonder is a movie that is sure to teach everyone in the family a lesson.
    Auggie, a nurtured, homeschooled, science-loving boy is pushed by his parents to join middle school. Seeing how everyone in the sixth grade would be new to the school, they found it a great time to transition Auggie from the learning comforts of his own home to the public education system most kids his age know all Too well. Except there was something different about Auggie; he had a facial deformity. Set apart as different from the rest of the world at birth, Auggie has struggled his whole life to come to terms with himself. However, when he finally overcomes his own insecurities, mustering the mental strength to go to school, he meets his newest self-esteem adversity; Julian Albans. When the biggest bully in school turns all the kids against him, Auggie must learn not only what it means to love yourself, but what it means to forgive and love those who have hurt you.
    The remarkable story was derived from an experience Palacio herself had at a grocery store. While checking out, the little boy in front of her had a facial deformity, causing her own son to start questioning why he “looked funny.” Afraid for her son to upset the boy, she pulled him away from the other boy; however this worsened the situation. Thus, the inspiration of her book was born.
   The movie has received an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and has a whopping 27.5 million dollar revenue from the box office. The book itself has won a total of seven awards including the Mark Twain award and the Junior Young Reader’s Choice award. Wonder is a story that should be heard by all, igniting conversation about self-respect and the acceptance of others, no matter how different one is. “If you really want to see who people are, all you have to do is look.”