Wondering about perception. by Hannah

Wondering about perception. by Hannah - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, my favorite book was Wonder by R.J. Palacio. We started reading it as a class in fourth grade. I quickly got ahead of the teacher because I was so enthralled with it. I finished the book before the rest of the class, and then I read it again. This book stuck with me and held so much meaning. Before I read this book, when people laughed at others and made comments about the way they looked, I probably laughed along. Reading this book changed my perspective on how we treat others. The main character, Auggie, has a disability which causes him to look different than other children. When he goes to school he is picked on and made fun of. The way his emotions about it are portrayed in the book are what really resonated with me. He began to self destruct and shut out the people he loved. Even some of his friends were making fun of him behind his back. Seeing how the actions of others affected Auggie really developed an understanding within me. I decided then that i wouldn't treat other that way. I would never laugh at someone because of how they look or because they are different. From that young age I decided that I was going to love everyone the same. Thats why I love that book so much. Buggies streanght and growth through the book really showed me perseverance. He made me feel that I everyone is different, but that its a good thing. We need to lift others up, not tear others down, and this book has shown me that through the years. I am extremely grateful to have read this book and had such a connection to the story. Being mean isn't funny or cool, its just wrong, and I hope more people could see that we are all human ans deserve to be loved and respected.