- ordinaryadjectiveChapter 1 →
Normal and unremarkable in every way, with nothing about you that makes people stop and stare or treat you differently from everyone else.
“I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things.”
- universenounChapter 1 →
Here, not outer space but the whole force of life and fate — the way the world deals out luck, fairness, and suffering to people.
“The universe was not kind to Auggie Pullman.”
- magic lampphraseChapter 1 →
A reference to the fairy-tale object that grants wishes when rubbed; used here as a way of saying 'if I could have any wish come true at all.'
“If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all.”
- cosmicadjectiveChapter 2 →
Relating to the grand, universal order of things — the big picture of how life and fate work out across all of existence, far beyond any one person's control.
“I've always felt that, in the cosmic scheme of things, Auggie deserved all the good things that came his way.”
- scheme of thingsphraseChapter 2 →
The overall way the world is arranged and how everything fits together; used to talk about what seems fair or right when you look at the big picture.
“I've always felt that, in the cosmic scheme of things, Auggie deserved all the good things that came his way.”
- orbitverbChapter 2 →
To move around something as the center of your world, the way planets circle the sun; here it means the whole family's life revolves around Auggie.
“He has always been there, front and center, the sun around which the rest of us orbit.”
- front and centerphraseChapter 2 →
In the most prominent, visible position, receiving the most attention; the place where everyone's eyes naturally go first.
“He has always been there, front and center, the sun around which the rest of us orbit.”
- fit togetherphraseChapter 2 →
To match up naturally and comfortably with someone, the way close friends do; when people no longer fit together, their connection feels awkward or gone.
“Miranda and Ella had become different people over the summer, or maybe I had. Either way, we didn't fit together the same way anymore.”
- felt sorry forphraseChapter 3 →
To feel pity toward someone because of their hardship; doing something out of pity rather than genuine liking or respect.
“I didn't sit with him because I felt sorry for him. I sat with him because he seemed like he could use a friend.”
- The PlaguenounChapter 3 →
A cruel nickname students gave to the idea that touching Auggie was contagious — as if his difference could spread like a deadly disease.
“The Plague. I know, I know. It's horrible. But that's what they called it.”
- excusenounChapter 3 →
A reason you use to justify doing something wrong; here, someone else's bad actions used to explain away your own misbehavior.
“My mom always says that you should never let anyone else's bad behavior be an excuse for your own.”
- fit inphraseChapter 4 →
To be accepted as part of a group by acting the way its members expect; to go along with what others do so they will include you.
“I don't know why I said what I said. I was just trying to fit in with Julian and those guys, I guess.”
- swear to GodphraseChapter 4 →
An emphatic expression used to insist that you are completely serious and mean exactly what you are saying.
“If I looked like him, I swear to God I'd kill myself.”
- automaticadjectiveChapter 5 →
Done without thinking, as a reflex; something so deeply habitual that it happens on its own, the way breathing does.
“via doesn't talk about auggie much with me. i think it's because she's so used to protecting him that it's become automatic, like breathing.”
- stream-of-consciousnessnounChapter 5 →
A style of writing that flows directly from a character's thoughts without normal punctuation or structure, as if you are inside their mind in real time.
- jumping inphraseChapter 5 →
Suddenly getting involved in a dangerous or difficult situation to help someone, without being asked and without hesitating.
“i keep thinking about jack and that other kid jumping in like that. it was kind of awesome.”
- extraordinaryadjectiveChapter 6 →
Far beyond what is normal or expected; so remarkable and impressive that the word 'ordinary' simply does not apply.
“He was the most extraordinary person I'd ever met in my life, and I wanted him to know that.”
- birth defectnounChapter 7 →
A physical condition a person is born with that affects how their body looks or works, caused by something that happened during development before birth.
“I told them I had a little brother who had a birth defect that affected his face.”
- reinvents herselfphraseChapter 7 →
Creates a completely new identity or image for yourself, leaving behind who you used to be and presenting yourself to new people as a different person.
- deservedverbChapter 7 →
Earned something through effort, suffering, or character, so that receiving it would be fair and right.
“I was the one who had worked so hard for the part. I was the one who deserved it. But Via deserved this moment more.”
- run away screamingphraseChapter 8 →
To flee in fear or shock; here used to describe the extreme reaction some people have to Auggie's face when they see it for the first time.
“But I know that ordinary kids don't make other kids run away screaming.”
- kinder than is necessaryphraseChapter 8 →
Going beyond the minimum level of kindness that a situation requires, choosing to be even more generous and gentle than anyone would expect.
“Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”
- wondernounChapter 8 →
A person who fills others with amazement and awe — someone whose existence and spirit go far beyond anything that could have been hoped for or imagined.
“You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder.”
WonderNovel by R. J. Palacio