Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thought-provoking stories of kindness and friendship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a touching and inspiring continuation of its predecessor, exploring themes of bullying, friendship, and acceptance through the perspectives of different characters. However, some reviewers note that it contains serious themes related to WWII that may be intense for younger readers, making it essential to read the first book for better context.
- touching story
- bullying themes
- educational value
- must read
- character perspectives
- age appropriate
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
AUGGIE & ME opens with Julian, who sheds light on why he targeted Auggie and how it affected his relationship with students and adults and Beecher Prep. After leaving school, he spends the summer in Paris with his grandmother, who shares a story that has a profound effect on Julian. The second story follows an extraordinary day in the life of Christopher, who is Auggie's oldest friend but has grown distant from him. And the final story centers on Charlotte, one of Auggie's assigned "welcome buddies" and her doubts and successes as she tries to find friendship amid the shifting terrain of middle school relationships.
Is It Any Good?
This collection of three stories is a thought-provoking read that may well encourage readers to see classmates, friends, and family in a new light. More of a spin-off than a sequel to the much-acclaimed Wonder, it digs deep into themes of kindness, friendship, accountability, and integrity with a deft understanding of middle school social drama. Auggie & Me follows three students in vastly different circumstances learning important lessons about relationships: Julian confronts his own cruelty and his enabler parents, Christopher acknowledges his selfishness and the work needed to stay close to important friends and family, and Charlotte expands her circle to embrace new friends.
Author R.J. Palacio has a gift for understanding the pressures of middle school. As in Wonder, some characters and situation seem a little too shiny and happy to be true. But they're presented with such sincerity and faith in the basic goodness of people, it's hard to take issue with it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how these stories intersect with Wonder. Do you like the way author R.J. Palacio expanded the storytelling here, or would you have preferred closer ties to the original novel or a more central role for Auggie?
Julian is a bully in Wonder. Does hearing more from his perspective change your view of him?
If you've read Wonder, pick another character you'd like to hear from and try writing fan fiction from that character's point of view.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Short Stories
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : August 18, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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