WONDER, by R.J. Palacio: A PDF & Digital Novel Study

Encourage kindness with this custom-made, ready-to-use, CCSS-aligned packet created for grades 5-8 reading Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. It is designed as independent work for students to complete in the classroom or at home and can be used as a printable and/or digital product (just go to your "My Purchases" page and export to Easel to create the digital product) to assign and collect from students for distance learning. This packet was updated in 2022.

Included is a 29-page student workbook. It is a no-prep printable or digital activity (I have inserted text boxes and made the workbook into an Easel Activity for that use). Included as a PDF is a separate answer key, optional vocabulary bookmarks, a list of extension topics and websites, and a listing of CCSS standards supported in the packet.

The student pages divide the text into seven reading assignments of about 40 pages each. With each assignment are 3-4 pages of activities that go along with the text. They include:

• vocabulary reinforcement
• recognizing literary crafts: similes & metaphors
• setting
• understanding author’s purpose
• recognizing point-of-view
• explaining one’s thinking
• clarifying
• demonstrating comprehension
• identifying character traits
• theme
• creative writing

Students are given essential practice in constructing written responses. It is designed for independent work in class or at home, thus allowing students to have directed work while the teacher is working on small group or individual instruction. Also, the teacher could use this as a guide for a parent or an aide as they direct a student book club or conduct small group discussions of the book. Questions and tasks in the workbook are intended to prompt high level thinking and quality group discussions.

NOTES on Related Products:

• In my store is also a product called "Wonder: Book vs Movie" designed for students who have read the book and seen the 2017 movie.
• In addition, my store has a novel study for R.J. Palacio's 2015 book, Auggie & Me. This Palacio book gives readers three great stories ("The Julian Chapter", "Pluto", and "Shingaling") about characters whose lives were impacted by Auggie. Click on the link to take a look at it.
• Palacio published White Bird in 2018 for which I have also created a novel study. It is a graphic novel about Julian's grandmother and her childhood experience growing up in France during WWII.
• A Wonder book test and key.
• My store also has a Wonder-ful Bundle that consists of novel studies for Wonder, Auggie & Me, and White Bird in addition to "Wonder: Book vs Movie", and my "Wonder Book Test and Key" (which is also sold separately in my store).

Wonder in a Nutshell:

Published in 2012, this book is R.J. Palacio's first novel and it is truly a wonder! Ten-year-old August was born with rare facial deformities that have caused his life to be anything but ordinary….and ordinary is what he wishes for more than anything. Auggie feels ordinary on the inside, but he is constantly reminded of his imperfect physical appearance by how people respond when they see him. August displays remarkable understanding toward those who make him feel like a monster and he shows us the bravery it takes to face the world with a severe handicap. One cannot help but want to be a better person after reading this book. This is a story that will touch the heart of every reader.

Reading level is approximately 6th grade. Content is appropriate for ages 9-13 (and even older!).

SOME OF THE MANY AWARDS WONDER HAS RECEIVED:

2012 NY Times #1 Bestseller and NYT Book Review Notable Book

Kid’s Indie Next List “Inspired Recommendations” 2012

National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award 2012

Time Magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time

Washington Post Best Kids' Book