Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August is, in most ways, a pretty typical fifth grade boy.  He loves Star Wars and his dog, Daisy.  Even though he is smart, August has never been to school.  You see, August's face is, well, deformed, so his parents have homeschooled him all these years.  This year, though, that all changes.  August is going to school for the first time.  What happens to him and to those around him during this year is the story told in Wonder.  How he handles all the challenges and opportunities makes an amazing and touching story.  This is, hands down, one of the best books I read this year.