The Recommended Wonder Reading Order
R.J. Palacio's Wonder has sparked a global movement to "Choose Kind" and captivated millions of readers. While the story of August "Auggie" Pullman is centered in the first book, the surrounding universe includes companion novellas, graphic novels, picture books, and journals. To get the most emotional impact and character depth, we recommend reading the core narrative books in the following path:
- Wonder (2012) – The foundational novel that starts it all, introducing Auggie Pullman's first year in a mainstream middle school.
- Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories (2015) – A compilation of three critical companion novellas: The Julian Chapter, Pluto, and Shingaling. Reading these immediately after the main novel provides essential perspectives from Auggie's bully, his childhood best friend, and a classmate.
- White Bird (2019) – A graphic novel (also available as a 2023 prose novelization) focusing on Julian's grandmother and her survival during World War II in Nazi-occupied France.
Other supplementary publications like 365 Days of Wonder and the picture book We're All Wonders can be enjoyed at any point after reading the flagship novel.
Publication Order of the Wonder Universe
If you prefer to read the books exactly as they were released to the public, here is the complete publication order of the Wonder franchise:
- Wonder (2012) – The main novel.
- 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne's Book of Precepts (2014) – A collection of daily quotes and precepts curated by Auggie's English teacher.
- The Julian Chapter (2014) – Julian's perspective (later compiled into Auggie & Me).
- Pluto (2015) – Christopher's perspective (later compiled into Auggie & Me).
- Shingaling (2015) – Charlotte's perspective (later compiled into Auggie & Me).
- The Wonder Journal (2015) – An interactive diary/journal for readers.
- Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories (2015) – The anthology containing the three novellas.
- We're All Wonders (2017) – A simplified picture book version for younger children.
- Choose Kind Journal: Do One Wonderful Thing Every Day (2019) – Another interactive journal focused on acts of daily kindness.
- White Bird: A Wonder Story (2019) – The historical graphic novel centering on Grandmère's childhood.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
The timeline of the Wonder series is mostly straightforward, with one major exception. White Bird is framed by a modern-day conversation between Julian and his grandmother (Grandmère), but the bulk of the story is a flashback set during World War II (1940s). Chronologically, the events of Grandmère's childhood in occupied France happen decades before Auggie Pullman is even born.
However, reading White Bird chronologically first is not recommended. The story serves as a lesson in empathy specifically directed at Julian after the events of Wonder, helping him process his behavior and learn from his family's history. Understanding Julian's character arc from the first book and The Julian Chapter is essential to appreciating the emotional weight of White Bird.
Understanding the Companion Books and Novellas
R.J. Palacio did not write traditional direct sequels showing Auggie growing up. Instead, she expanded the world horizontally through companion stories that focus on different viewpoints. Here is what you need to know about each companion book:
Auggie & Me
This volume is not a sequel, but a collection of three stories that occur during the same timeframe as the original Wonder novel. Instead of rebuying them individually as e-books, readers should look for this printed compilation:
- The Julian Chapter: Explains Julian's motives for bullying Auggie and his path toward remorse and understanding.
- Pluto: Focuses on Christopher, Auggie's oldest friend, and the challenges of maintaining a friendship with someone who has significant medical needs while trying to fit in at a new school.
- Shingaling: Tells the story of Charlotte, one of the three students chosen to welcome Auggie, offering a look at the social dynamics and cliques of girls in the fifth grade.
White Bird
This is a major departure in format and setting. Initially published as a graphic novel in 2019, it was adapted into a prose novel by Erica S. Perl in 2023 and a feature film. The story connects to the main series because Julian's grandmother shares her story of being hidden from Nazi forces by a classmate named Julien, who suffered from polio and was shunned by others. The story draws parallels between historical intolerance and modern-day bullying.
We're All Wonders
Designed for kids in preschool through third grade, this picture book features simplified concepts and colorful illustrations by Palacio herself. It is a great way to introduce younger siblings to the themes of acceptance before they are old enough to read the main novel.
Practical Reader Advice
Can these books be read as standalones? While you can technically read the side stories on their own, doing so removes much of their emotional impact. Wonder is the anchor; you must read it first to fully appreciate the growth of the side characters.
Are the journals necessary? The journals, such as the Choose Kind Journal and The Wonder Journal, do not contain narrative stories. They are designed as self-reflection tools for classrooms or personal use and can be safely skipped if you are only interested in the plot.
What to Know Before You Start
The Wonder series deals with sensitive themes including bullying, physical differences, medical procedures, social ostracization, and, in the case of White Bird, the Holocaust and wartime violence. Parents and educators should note that while the core books are perfectly targeted at middle-grade readers (ages 8-12), White Bird contains historical trauma and peril that may require discussion with younger readers.