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I’m so beyond honored to feature R.J. Palacio in today’s episode! R.J. is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of WONDER, a middle-grade novel that sold over a million copies in just 18 months.
Entertainment Weekly says “Palacio has written a crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.”
R.J.’s book has been adapted into a movie by LionsGate starring Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay as “Auggie”.
In this episode, we discuss a whole lot about “Wonder”, what it means to choose kind, and we dive into invaluable writing advice. It’s an honest and inspiring discussion that everyone will benefit from listening!
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“We’ve all known, most of us at least, what it’s like to feel like the outsider.”
-R.J. Palacio
“Always remember to be grateful because that’s what authors should always be, is grateful.”
-R.J. Palacio
“We deal with what we get.”
-R.J. Palacio
About ‘WONDER’
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.
WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
- What it means to be kind and why we should choose ‘kind’ over being ‘right’
- The importance of creating a writing routine and committing to it
- How to create characters using inspiration from the people in your own life
- How to include multiple points of views from different characters that will enhance the main character’s story
- R.J.’s journey as a storyteller and her transition into being a full-time author
Learn More About R.J. Palacio
R. J. Palacio is the author of Wonder. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
R.J.’s Recommended Books & Resources:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Leo Tolstoy
The House of Asterion by Jorge Luis Borges
Blaise Pascal
Thomas Mann
Heinrich Boll
