The Epigraphs

Part One: August

“Wonder” by Natalie Merchant

In the book

The very first epigraph in the book. It also gave the novel its title.

The background

Natalie Merchant released “Wonder” in 1995 on her album Tigerlily. The song is sung from the point of view of a girl whose doctors can’t explain her, and who sees herself as one of life’s wonders rather than a mistake.

Why it matters

Auggie has spent his life surrounded by doctors, and people often react to him with surprise. The song turns that surprise into something positive, which is exactly the journey Auggie takes over the school year.

Part Two: Via

“Space Oddity” by David Bowie

In the book

The epigraph for Via’s section. Watch for the song again in Chapter 37, “Major Tom.”

The background

David Bowie released “Space Oddity” in 1969, the same year astronauts first walked on the moon. It tells the story of an astronaut named Major Tom who floats farther and farther from Earth and loses contact with ground control.

Why it matters

Via begins her section by describing Auggie as the Sun and the rest of the family as planets circling him. Like Major Tom, Via sometimes feels as if she’s drifting far away from everyone else. The song also connects to Miranda, who nicknamed Auggie “Major Tom.”

Part Three: Summer

“Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera

In the book

The epigraph for Summer’s section.

The background

“Beautiful” was released in 2002. It was written by Linda Perry and won a Grammy Award. The song’s message is that you are beautiful no matter what other people say, and that hurtful words don’t have to define you.

Why it matters

Summer ignores the popular kids’ opinions and chooses Auggie as a friend because she likes him. She sees past his face and doesn’t let other people’s comments change her mind.

Part Four: Jack

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

In the book

The epigraph for Jack’s section.

The background

The Little Prince was published in 1943 and is one of the most translated books in the world. In it, a fox shares a secret with the little prince: the things that matter most can’t be seen with your eyes. You can only see them clearly with your heart.

Why it matters

At first Jack only sees Auggie’s face. By the end of his section, he realizes Auggie is funny, smart, and loyal, and that he is one of Jack’s best friends. Jack learns to see with his heart.

Part Five: Justin

The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance

In the book

The epigraph for Justin’s section. The play comes up again in Part 7.

The background

The Elephant Man is a 1977 play about Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the play), a real man who lived in London in the 1800s. He had a condition that greatly changed the shape of his head and body. People treated him as a curiosity, but those who got to know him found he was gentle, intelligent, and full of imagination. In the epigraph, Merrick jokes that his head is so big because it is so full of dreams.

Why it matters

Justin is an actor and musician who sees the world through art. The epigraph reminds readers that a person’s appearance says nothing about the dreams inside them.

Part Six: August

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

In the book

The epigraph for Auggie’s second section.

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world!

The background

Shakespeare wrote Hamlet around 1600. In this speech, Prince Hamlet marvels at how amazing human beings are. In modern words: people are incredible. We can think, create, move, and understand the world in ways that make us seem almost like angels.

Why it matters

Part 6 is when Auggie hears some hard truths and begins to grow up. The quote reminds readers that every person, including Auggie, is a remarkable piece of work.

Part Seven: Miranda

“Beautiful Things” by Andain

In the book

The epigraph for Miranda’s section.

The background

“Beautiful Things” is an electronic dance song by the duo Andain from the early 2000s. It’s about someone who realizes they had forgotten to notice the beautiful things in life and what life might still bring.

Why it matters

Miranda spends much of her section feeling lonely and pretending to be someone she isn’t. By the end, she remembers what really mattered to her all along: her friendship with Via and the love of the Pullman family.

Part Eight: August

“Beautiful Child” by Eurythmics

In the book

The epigraph for the final section of the book.

The background

Eurythmics, the British duo of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, recorded “Beautiful Child” on their 1999 album Peace. The song encourages a child to rise up and fly.

Why it matters

Part 8 is Auggie’s triumph. By the end of fifth grade he stands proudly in front of his whole school, reaching the sky just as the song hopes.