Dickens & Rumi
Cover of AUGGIE & ME

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AUGGIE & ME

R.J. Palacio

A collection of three "Wonder" stories. (Ages 8 to 12)

Ages 9+Source checked

Why this age? Accessible middle-grade fiction with emotionally intense bullying, social exclusion, illness-related concerns, and references to wartime suffering, but no sexual content or graphic violence. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age9+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Strong language2/5
  • Violence2/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy5/5
  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Death and wartime suffering are discussed in a historical story, but no major character death is a central or graphically shown event.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild name-calling associated with bullying behavior.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Faith or religion is not a central theme.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Features age-appropriate middle-school crushes and friendship dynamics.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Bullying, social rejection, illness worries, and an upsetting wartime story may feel tense or frightening to sensitive readers, though there are no horror-style scares.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes minor physical altercations and bullying typical of middle-school settings.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters show courage in admitting faults and standing up for others.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative thinking about human relationships and empathy.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

The book offers several perspectives, including a prominent disabled child, and explores differences, family circumstances, and social experiences with empathy and agency.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Excellent for developing social-emotional skills and perspective-taking.

Kindness & empathy5/5
Why this rating?

Central theme of the book; kindness is explored as a difficult but necessary choice.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong emphasis on empathy, perspective-taking, and the ripple effects of kindness.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters grow to model accountability and integrity despite previous mistakes.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in AUGGIE & ME would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in AUGGIE & ME, and what caused that change?
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Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereAUGGIE & ME
THE KEEPERDavid BaldacciAges 12+THE FINISHERDavid BaldacciAges 10+Drowned Ammet (Dalemark Quartet, Book 2)Diana Wynne Jones · 1977Ages 12+Cart and Cwidder (The Dalemark Quartet)Diana Wynne Jones · 1975Ages 12+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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