White Bird: A Wonder Story

R. J. Palacio's 'White Bird' is a poignant graphic novel that expands on the 'Wonder' universe by telling the backstory of Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. As a young Jewish girl named Sara, she was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II. The narrative explores her harrowing experience, the boy who initially shunned her but became her savior, and the profound impact of kindness and courage. This book does not shy away from the terror and violence of the Nazi occupation, making it a powerful tool for discussing history, prejudice, and moral choices with middle-grade readers (ages 8-12). It beautifully illustrates how small acts of compassion can build bridges and save lives, even in the face of immense evil.

Now a major motion picture, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson! R. J. Palacio’s unforgettable graphic novel debut is a story about the power of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war. SYDNEY TAYLOR AWARD WINNER • A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In R. J. Palacio's bestselling collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère's heartrending story: how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend. Sara's harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, "It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything." With poignant symbolism and gorgeous artwork that brings Sara's story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by the book Wonder or the blockbuster movie adaptation and its message. Praise for White Bird: "At once expressive and chaste, an elusive but ideal combination." —New York Times "A story that shows the impact of the Second World War and the rise of fascism on what had been a pastoral, fairy-tale childhood, with White Bird pulling no punches in connecting that historical moment to what’s happening in the world today." —The Hollywood Reporter “Extraordinarily powerful.... White Bird does not shrink from depicting the terror and violence of the Nazi occupation for younger readers, and respects the ability of those readers to handle strong material.” —Forbes "A must-read graphic novel that is both heart-rending and beautifully hopeful." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review "R.J. Palacio brings to life the nature of heroism and the real risks we face today." —Meg Medina, Newbery award-winning author of Mercy Suarez Changes Gears "Rare, superb, timely, and timeless." —Mark Siegel, author of the 5 Worlds graphic novel series