White Bird: A Wonder Story (A Graphic Novel)
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4.6 • 65 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Soon to be 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
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Writer and graphic designer R. J. Palacio combines her talents in a masterpiece of children’s historical fiction that adults will love too. When Grandmère Sara recounts her childhood to her grandson Julian for a class project, her early years come across like a fairy tale. But the magic comes to an end when the Nazis invade France, putting Sara’s Jewish family in grave danger. Thanks to the compassion and bravery of a boy in her class, Sara is kept hidden from German forces, and this act of kindness reverberates throughout the story. Palacio illustrates every emotion in Sara’s tale with stunning expressiveness, dealing with the Holocaust in a straightforward way that’s great for young readers. Grandmère tells Julian her story because it’s vitally important for future generations to know it. We think you’ll feel the same way.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Branded as "A Wonder Story," Palacio's well-paced graphic novel debut expands upon a story introduced in Auggie & Me Grandm re's tale of her childhood in German-occupied France. Asked by Julian, Wonder's bully, to recount the story of Julien, a boy impacted by polio who helped her hide from Nazi soldiers as a child, Grandm re reluctantly agrees. Cruelly teased by schoolmates, Julien becomes Sara's protector after Nazis invade their progressive school. The two make a sympathetic duo as Sara's once-charmed life gives way to an existence of survival. Palacio elaborates on her previous books' themes, including empathy, bullying, and othering, and a twist toward the end challenges assumptions about who "belongs" in a society. Final panels, which show contemporary Americans protesting family separation at the U.S./Mexico border, tether the story to current events. The volume's visual style is at its most distinctive in its evocative settings and poetic moments, such as woods that sparkle with bluebells and the titular white bird soaring through time and space. Palacio, a confident storyteller, has crafted a work whose classroom-friendly packaging belies a gripping human story. Further resources include a glossary and suggested reading list. Ages 8 12.
Customer Reviews
Best book
It has a thrilling story would 100% recommend
Wonderful book
I love this book because is talks about Julian’s perspective. I also love fact that he realized his mistakes after hearing his grandmother’s story. Sara’s story about world war 2 made me cry since the story has a tragic ending. I recommend this book.
For Adults, Too!
I’m 38 and I couldn’t stop reading this graphic novel. It’s not just for kids!