Author, designer, mother, and kindness advocate R. J. Palacio is a model of accomplishment and virtue. Gaining popularity with the success of her novel, ‘Wonder,’ she has also lent her voice to social activism, speaking against discrimination based on disability and encouraging people to become agents of kindness. Here are some top facts about Palacio.
Wonder‘s Success
R. J. Palacio’s most notable work is the novel ‘Wonder,’ which became a massive success after its publication in 2012. The book has been translated into 50 languages and sold over 16 million copies. Initially conceived as a book for children, it has found appeal even among adults for its powerful message of kindness and acceptance and has received widespread critical acclaim.
Palacio’s Graphic Design Career
Before becoming a successful author, Palacio had a successful career in graphic design. She had over 20 years of experience in the art departments of several publishing houses like Scribner, St. Martin Press, and Holt. She has designed book jackets for Sue Grafton, Salman Rushdie, Thomas Pynchon, and Louise Erdrich throughout her career.
Inspiration for Wonder
The inspiration for ‘Wonder’ came from a real-life incident where R. J. Palacio and her young son encountered a child with a facial deformity at an ice cream store. Her son cried on seeing the little girl’s face, and Palacio got up and left with her children. In reflection, she wished she had handled the situation differently and perhaps opened a conversation with the girl and her mother. From her reflection, she found the idea to start writing the story. The novel explores themes of empathy, self-acceptance, and the impact of kindness on our social interactions.
Palacio Pseudonym
R. J. Palacio is a pseudonym. The initials come from the author’s real name, Raquel Jaramillo. Palacio is her mother’s maiden name. She decided to use a pen name to create a separation between her career as a graphic designer and her career as an author. She also wanted to avoid putting people she worked with on the spot if they had to reject her work.
“I’ve been in publishing for 20 years and I have lots of contacts in the field,” she says, “but I didn’t want to put anyone in the awkward position of having to reject my manuscript and then see me the next week at BEA.”
Educational Background
R. J. Palacio attended elementary school at P.S. 22 in Flushing, Queens, New York. There, she met fellow children’s book author Meg Medina. She attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she studied illustration and design, and the American University of Paris.
R. J. Palacio’s Writing Career
In addition to ‘Wonder’, R. J. Palacio has written other books for children, including the ‘Wonder’ Companion Book ‘365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts’ and the book ‘Auggie & Me’, which presents three additional perspectives from characters in ‘Wonder’, and ‘We Are All Wonders’. ‘White Bird’, her graphic novel set in the August Pullman universe, featuring Julian’s grandmother in Nazi-occupied Germany, was published in 2019. In 2021, Palacio published ‘Pony’, her first work unrelated to ‘Wonder’ since the publication of the bestselling novel.
Wonder‘s Film Adaptation
The success of ‘Wonder’ led to the adaptation of the novel into a film directed by Stephen Chbosky. The movie, released in 2017, starred Jacob Tremblay as Auggie Pullman and Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson as Mr. and Mrs. Pullman. The film received positive reviews from both moviegoers and critics. It was also a box office hit, grossing $300 million worldwide ticket sales.
Choose Kind Activism
Inspired by the success of her novel, R. J. Palacio launched and actively promoted the Choose Kind movement. The movement encourages individuals, especially children and students, to embrace kindness, empathy, and compassion in their interactions with others. Palacio has actively supported educators in incorporating ‘Wonder‘ into school curricula. The book is often used to promote anti-bullying campaigns, empathy education, and discussions about acceptance. R. J. Palacio has actively engaged with readers, educators, and communities through school visits, book tours, and speaking engagements.
Recognition for R. J. Palacio
R. J. Palacio is well acclaimed for her work, particularly the best-selling novel ‘Wonder‘. Here are some of the awards and recognitions she has received, highlighting the impact of her work in children’s literature.
‘Wonder‘ was the winner of the 2013 Christopher Award, the 2014 Maine Student Book Award, the 2014 Vermont’s Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, the 2015 Mark Twain Award, Hawaii’s 2015 Nene Awar, the 2015 Young Hoosier Book Award, and the junior Young Reader’s Choice Award for 2015. In Illinois, it won both the Bluestem and Caudill Awards in 2014. In addition, it was on The New York Times Best Seller list for 427 weeks.
Raised By Bibliophiles
Her parents had a vast library and taught a love of books in her. Her father was fond of books on history, like Marcus Aurelius and the Will and Ariel Durant’s ‘The Story of Civilization’ series. Her mother preferred Latin American literature, Faulkner and Oscar Wilde. Of this experience, she said in an interview:
“I was lucky enough to have two parents who passionately encouraged and fostered that love of reading….Our house was full of books. Thomas Mann. Faulkner. St. Augustine. My mother would read “The Little Prince” and the short stories of Oscar Wilde to me when I was little. It was a given, I think, that I would grow up to be some sort of artist or writer.”
R. J. Palacio’s Personal Life
R. J. Palacio is married to Richard Gordon, an art director for children’s books at Simon and Schuster, and they have two sons, Caleb and Joseph. They live in North Carolina with their two dogs, Beau and Bear.
