by R.J. Palacio

GENRE: realistic fiction, young adult

CEFR LEVEL: B1+ and above

If you love reading in your native language, imagine the satisfaction of reading and enjoying your first authentic novel in English. You will always remember that first book you read!

When my “bookworm” students reach a B1+ level, I love to encourage them to read their first authentic novel in English. At this level, novels that are aimed at the young adult market (but that also appeal to the adult market) work particularly well.

Gloria, one of my students with a B1+ level, has just finished reading Wonder, her first authentic English novel.

Let’s see what she has to say about it…

Introduction

Wonder, a novel by R.J. Palacio, is a wonderful story about a marvellous kid and his family.

Plot

August is a special kid who has never been to school because he has always studied at home with his mother.

When he goes to school, his first impression of the school, his relationship with his classmates, his teachers, and especially his course director, will be decisive to his personal development. School as a promoter of values is fundamental in our education, especially at the age of 11, but emotions and feelings such as friendship, fear, envy, courage, and companionship are also added.

And what happens if the protagonist is not considered “normal”? A WONDER adventure!

My opinion/conclusion

Wonder is a marvellous story and a lesson about the concept of “normal” or “the hegemony of the normality of our appearance” in our society. This book is nice and easy to read. For me, it is my first English book and I feel very proud to have read it!

So, what are you waiting for? If you have a B1+ level, make Wonder the first book that you read in English too!