Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories Blog Tour {review and giveaway}

I'm so thrilled to have the Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories Blog Tour stopping today! Check out my review of this companion collection to Wonder and enter the awesome giveaway...

Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories

(Wonder #1.5, #1.6, #1.7)

by R.J. Palacio

August 18, 2015

Random House Children's

Over 2 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller Wonderand have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. Readers have also been treated to three stories offering a special look at Auggie’s world through new points of view. Previously only available in ebook, now they’ll be published all together--complete with an introduction from the author on how she came to write them--in a gorgeous hardcover package! 

These stories are an extra peek at Auggie before he started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through the eyes of Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s new friend at school. Together, these three stories are a treasure for readers who don’t want to leave Auggie behind when they finish Wonder.

amazon / b&n / indiebound

Praise for Wonder

#1 New York Times bestseller

A School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012

A Publishers Weekly Best of Children's Books 2012

A Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012

A Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012

"Wonder is essentially ... a wonder. It's well-written, engaging, and so much fun to read that the pages almost turn themselves. More than that, Wonder touches the heart in the most life-affirming, unexpected ways, delivering in August Pullman a character whom readers will remember forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book – your life will be better for it." - Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Full of heart, full of truth, Wonder is a book about seeing the beauty that's all around us.  I dare you not to fall in love with Auggie Pullman."
- Rebecca Stead, Newbery award-winning author of When You Reach Me

"Wonder is a shining jewel of a story that cannot help but encourage readers of all ages to do better, to be better, in how they treat others in life. I'm totally in love with this novel."  - Trudy Ludwig, anti-bullying advocate and author of My Secret Bully, Confessions of a Former Bully, Better Than You, and Just Kidding

In Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, author R.J. Palacio returns to the wonderful world of Wonder with three new chapters told from the points of view of bully Julian, oldest friend Christopher, and classmate Charlotte. These three characters’ lives have been impacted and affected by Auggie Pullman, and now they get the chance to tell their stories.

Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, includes The Julian Chapter, Pluto, and Shingaling. These chapters are not sequels or prequels to the beloved Wonder, but instead, are captivating expansions of Auggie’s unforgettable story. If you’ve read Wonder, then you know Palacio crafts complex, stunning stories that are thought-provoking, heart-warming, and irresistible...and the three chapters in Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories are no exception!

In The Julian Chapter, we see much of the events in Wonder and beyond, from the point of view of Auggie’s most determined enemy, Julian. I’m sure many readers have very strong feelings about bully Julian, but I think they will be surprised by his story and POV. I love that Palacio doesn’t try to force readers to forgive, sympathize, or even understand Julian’s side of things, she merely shows (and wonderfully so) that people are often way more than what they seem. The Julian Chapter is equal parts heartbreaking, infuriating, and thought-provoking. With this chapter, Palacio’s grasp of human nature and her breathtaking way of capturing it, is really given the chance to shine.

In Pluto, Palacio focuses on Auggie’s oldest friend, Christopher, who has moved away. Pluto contains a lot of flashbacks to Auggie’s early years, as seen through Christopher’s thoughtful, honest eyes.  Christopher’s story is such a relatable, authentic one, as he struggles to find his place and must deal with the emotional turmoil that comes with his parents’ divorce. I love that Christopher has impacted and affected Auggies life, with his pure; continual friendship, has much as Auggie has impacted his life.

Shingaling is Charlotte’s story and we see much of the events in Wonder through the perspective of Auggie’s female classmates. Charlotte’s story is an endearing and honest exploration of middle-school dynamics and the turbulence of trying to fit in, while staying true to yourself.  

my final thoughts: While Auggie’s presence and influence is strongly felt throughout each chapter in this collection, I love that they are very much Julian, Christopher, and Charlotte’s stories, and that they further expand the spectacular world of Wonder. Fans of Wonder and Auggie will be thrilled by Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories and appreciate what R.J. Palacio continues to create.

MY RATING

5/5 yummy cupcakes

R. J. PALACIO lives in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Wonder is her first novel. She did not design the cover, but she sure does love it. website / twitter

Win a Wonder Journal!

Random House has donated one gorgeous Wonder Journal, full of quotes and pages for you to fill, for one winner. Plus, I'll even include my extra ARC of Auggie & Me, if the winner wants it.

DETAILS

-US only

-ends 8/31

please read full list of rules below

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