A novel by R. J. Palacio

WONDER

A closer look at Chapters 1–3: meeting August Pullman, understanding his life, and discovering the story behind his birth.

✦ Kindness • Identity • Belonging

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01 / The novel

What is Wonder about?

Wonder follows August “Auggie” Pullman, a ten-year-old boy who wants what most children want: friends, fun, and the chance to be treated normally.

THE MAIN CHARACTER

August Pullman

Auggie is funny, thoughtful, and interested in ordinary things. He was born with a condition that affects the way his face developed.

THE CENTRAL CONFLICT

Being seen differently

People often react to Auggie’s appearance before they get to know his personality. The novel asks readers to look beyond first impressions.

Big idea: A person’s appearance does not tell us their character, interests, or worth.

02 / Chapter 1

“Ordinary”

Auggie introduces himself and explains the difference between how he feels on the inside and how other people treat him.

What happens?

Auggie says he feels like an ordinary kid.
He enjoys things such as video games, ice cream, and riding his bike.
Other children sometimes stare or react unkindly because of his facial difference.
He introduces his family, including his sister Via.

Why it matters

The chapter introduces the novel’s main issue: the gap between Auggie’s own identity and the way strangers judge him.

Identity

First impressions

Empathy

03 / Chapter 2

“Why I Didn’t Go to School”

Auggie explains why he has been homeschooled and why attending a regular school is a major change.

What happens?

Auggie has had many medical procedures since he was born.
His health needs meant he spent much of his childhood away from a regular classroom.
He has had some friends, but his social world is limited.
Starting school means facing new people and unfamiliar reactions.

Why it matters

We understand that school is not just a new place for Auggie. It is a big personal challenge that requires courage and adjustment.

Change

Courage

Belonging

04 / Chapter 3

“How I Came to Life”

Auggie tells the story of his birth as he has heard it from his family.

What happens?

Auggie describes the day he was born.
His parents were surprised by his medical condition.
His father fainted, while the medical team worked to care for the newborn.
The story shows how much the family went through from the very beginning.

Why it matters

This chapter gives background to Auggie’s life and shows the love and challenges experienced by his family.

Family

Resilience

Acceptance

Notice Auggie’s humour: he can talk about difficult parts of his life in a direct, sometimes funny way.

05 / Looking closer

Characters & themes

August “Auggie” Pullman

The narrator of these chapters. He is observant, humorous, and wants to be accepted.

Via Pullman

Auggie’s older sister. She cares about him and is protective when people treat him unfairly.

His parents

They support Auggie and help him face the possibility of attending school.

Major themes

Kindness, acceptance, family support, identity, courage, and judging people by appearance.

06 / Quick knowledge check

Test your understanding

Choose an answer for each question. This is a quick review of the first three chapters.

1. What does Auggie want people to understand?

07 / Conclusion

Look beyond the surface.

In Chapters 1–3, we meet Auggie, learn why his childhood has been different, and hear the story of his birth. These chapters prepare us for his next challenge: entering a new school and meeting people who do not know him yet.

The message so far: We should get to know people before judging them. Kindness can make a difficult situation easier.

Thank you for listening.

Book: Wonder by R. J. Palacio

08 / Feedback

How did we do?

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