R. J. Palacio
R. J. Palacio is one of the most beloved and acclaimed authors of children’s literature in recent years. Her debut novel Wonder, which won various prestigious awards and sold more than five million copies around the world, was praised for its captivating story and astonishing illustrations. Palacio is most well-known for her heartfelt novels which draw inspiration from her real-life experiences of raising a child with a facial difference.
R. J. Palacio was born in 1964 in New York City. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in textiles and worked as a graphic designer before becoming an author. Her first book, a memoir, Fierce, Funny and Feminist: Growing Up in the Shadows of Feminism, was published in 2008. In 2012, she debuted her first novel, Wonder, which became an international best-seller and received critical acclaim from critics and readers alike. Her second novel, We’re All Wonders, was an expansion of the Wonder storyline and was released in 2017.
The themes of R. J. Palacio’s books are centered around acceptance and overcoming adversity. She addresses bullying and building self-confidence; she encourages readers to “choose kindness” and embrace our differences. The characters in her books tend to be quirky, funny and often face some form of adversity. The books are also filled with gorgeous illustrations, designed by Palacio herself. These illustrations bring the characters and stories to life in a way that readers can connect to.
Many readers connect to R.J. Palacio's writing because of her own personal struggle with seeing her son with a facial difference out in public and her fears that he was being ostracized. She decided to write Wonder to address the issue and help spark conversations between adults and children. Palacio has over the years, become a strong advocate of acceptance, kindness and empathy. She continues to bring awareness to the issue by often taking part in anti-bullying events and speaking publicly about her work.
Palacio has won numerous awards for her work, including the Women’s National Book Association Award for Individual Accomplishment and the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. In addition to her successes in writing, she has also written a few picture books, including the popular A World Without You.
R. J. Palacio has become a beloved author not only because of her thought-provoking and inspiring stories, but also because of her own authentic representation of what it’s like to be a parent and witness their child’s difference. Not only does Palacio’s work teach, but it also entertains and leaves readers with a lasting love for her stories. Fans of all ages are sure to be captivated by Palacio’s thoughtful books, which certainly guarantee to become classics for years to come.
