"It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything."
The Book
Inspired by her blockbuster phenomenon Wonder, R. J. Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with an unforgettable story of the power of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war.
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.
Official Book Trailer
Praise for White Bird
“I was captivated by White Bird. It tells the hardest truths with honesty and calm (so that young readers can hear them). R.J. Palacio brings to life the nature of heroism and the real risks we face today.”
"A must-read graphic novel that is both heart-rending and beautifully hopeful."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review (October 2019)
“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 (September 2019)
“Sure to be popular among fans of Wonder and educators who want to connect past to present.”
—School Library Journal (September 2019)
"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 (September 2019)
"A story of resistance, bravery, and survival.... This compelling story is served well by the graphic novel format."
—Booklist (October 2019)
"Rare, superb, timely, and timeless."
—Mark Siegel, author of the 5 Worlds graphic novel series
Where To Buy
