R.J. Palacio White Bird: A Wonder Story Graphic Novel

Can’t trust any books anymore.

Propaganda at the end removes the gravity of the holocaust.

Jillian C

October 3, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an amazing graphic novel. Set in the same universe as Palacio’s Wonder but during World War II, it stands on its own as a powerful story. While it’s marketed for kids, it resonates with readers of all ages.

Julian (Auggie’s bully in Wonder) is working on a school project and asks his grandmother for a story. She recounts her experiences as a young Jewish girl in France during WWII.

The story is both heartbreaking and beautiful, illuminating both the highs and lows of humanity. I cried no less than eleven times. The artwork is simple yet stunning, allowing the narrative to truly shine. A touch of magical realism adds levity to the story’s intensity.

I loved this graphic novel! It’s a story that will stay with me for a long time.

Art:4.5/5

Plot: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

My Enjoyment:5/5

The very hungry reader

August 28, 2025

Very sad

My son wants to know more about history and WWII. I bought this book for him, mainly because it is a story that focuses on friendship, courage, devotion, and generosity.

The drawings are beautiful, and each panel offers a different narrative scene.

The storyline is good, but the ending is terrible and very sad. The author could have chosen a different ending, especially because this book is geared toward young readers. The main characters, Sara and Julien, could have survived the war and continued their beautiful friendship. The horror of death leaves a kid with no hope.

My son didn't like the ending and was very disappointed.

Also, the fonts are small, curly, and not user-friendly; they often confuse young readers.

Propaganda despite an otherwise enjoyable story

My girls (9 and 10) loved the book. My 10 year old did bring it to me to point out propaganda in the illustration at the very end with Trump's name. We are a Hispanic family that moved from the border of CA/MX to TX and my children are aware enough to know that the hoards of undocumented people that were coming in resulted in terrible crimes against American people. So they can catch ignorance when they spot it on this particular issue. The author didn't experience the issue the same as people living at the border and portrays it differently, much like you would experience it as a left-wing activist from afar.

Arrived damaged

Pictured novel arrived damaged and appeared to be in used condition when it was purchased new. Ripped and bent pages inside, and the cover was also dinged up on the edges. This was a gift for my daughter, I’m not returning it because she is OK with the way that it looks, but it is a bit irritating.

Readabilty

The book is in comic book form. Font was unable to be changed on Kindle thereby making the text way to small to be easily read. Would have had to use a magnifying glass.

Product came soaked in what smells like windex.

Delivery was great, the product itself was damaged.

Book cover ruined

I hate that the cover is ruined with this sticker across the top. I buy hard covers for gifts and this ridiculous sticker ruins it. I’m very disappointed.

Political page.

Didn't care for political p198(see pic) comparison Trump to to world war 2. They are asking have we learned nothing from world war 2. Talking about never again. Was enjoying up until this point. Rest of book was decent. Good storyline about one person helping jew in world war 2. Easy to read for kids. Enjoyed illustrations.

Irony: Who’s the real bully?

Last night, my 10-year-old finished this book and said, “There’s something bad about President Trump at the end, but I don’t understand it.” When I saw the final pages of the book, I was disgusted. Comparing Trump to Hitler in a children’s book is not only dishonest, but it’s damaging to our children (who know half of the country support this president). And the irony is that Biden’s border disaster has led to an onslaught of immigration that has endangered more women and children than anything we’ve seen before, yet the media and liberals are silent. No protests in the streets … no signs about keeping families together … it’s all such an emotional lie.

I immediately wanted to find out the intended message of the book and found this, “Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandm re's [from the book, Wonder] 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 Grandm re tells Julian, "It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything."

The irony is that this is exactly how conservatives are feeling in the US right now. Bullied into silence about everything from religion, to the transgender argument, to Black Lives Matter. And if you disagree with the liberal message, be prepared to be publicly shunned as a racist and lose your livelihood.

Maybe if Palacio applied the “power of kindness to change hearts and build bridges” to the current divisive tone, Trump and conservatives could be the “savior and best friend” that are so desperately needed to rescue this country from socialism.

I love the book, it's well written. I'll recommend this book to all ages. hope you enjoy

Melanie

March 1, 2021

*BUYER BEWARE* Hatred, bullying, liberal narrative

If I could give this book no stars, I would!!! This book is FILLED with liberal bullying narrative. It’s disgusting to think that a children’s author would fill young minds with violence, verbal abuse, bias, and hatred. DO NOT BUY this book for your child!!! IT IS LIBERAL GARBAGE!!! And aside from the liberal narrative, it’s repulsive how the adult characters are portrayed treating this poor disabled child.

Damaged

My product was damaged when delivered.

binding compromised

As you can see 4 of the 15 books I ordered were damaged after one class read it. They were only handled by one student each ;-(

Excellent story with beautiful illustrations

This book is absolutely incredible. It’s well written, wonderful bright illustrations, and informative for young readers. I’m so thankful we are adding this graphic novel to our school library. I do not believe the content should be allowed only for older children. They’ll see more graphic images on any tablet, news story, or magazine. My 8 year old daughter is reading it now. It starts a healthy conversation about standing up for others, even if there’s risk involved, as that’s the right thing to do. I will recommend this book to everyone I know!

Weird Binding

It was terrible quality, glued together in multiple pieces, paper on inside edge of cover could cut you. Also, the book doesn’t open well, or very wide. I only bought it online because the price was better than the higher quality version at a scholastic book fair (only I didn’t know online would be lower quality). Returning and just checking book out from the library.

Political propaganda...too bad since it had great promise.

My 9 year old couldn’t put this book down. It prompted some very interesting conversations in regards to the holocaust. At the end of the book the author makes an attempt to insert political propaganda to children, which is very disturbing to say the least. In my opinion, it diminishes the importance of her book. My daughter was very confused and upset about the graphic insinuating that Trump is tearing children away from their parents. There is no mention of their parents being here illegally. Just a graphic of a crying child with a caption “300 children separated from their parents as part of Trumps zero tolerance policy”. This author should be ashamed about the way she inserts her ideology to attempt to brainwash children. Stick to what is described in your book! I’m beyond sick of this propaganda in children’s literature. I typically pre-read books for this reason, but didn’t. I definitely missed the boat here. Luckily it’s a library book as I wouldn’t want to contribute to her agenda. Very disturbing and upsetting.

Insinuates Trump’s immigration practices are like Hitlers

Sadly the story itself was pretty good. A great introduction to small children regarding the holocaust. Unfortunately this book has a political agenda and compares Trumps immigration laws and practices to Hitler and the Holocaust. I hate it when children’s books try to indoctrinate our kids. Leave your political views out of it! Please see the attached pictures to know what I am talking about.