“Here’s what I think: the only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.” 

Auggie Pullman knows he looks differently than everyone else because of a genetic mutation that’s affected his face. Despite this, everything else about him is just like any other 10-year-old kid. The problem is that people judge him by his looks and not his actions.

“What I wanted was to go to school, but only if I could be like every other kid going to school. Have lots of friends and hang out after school and stuff like that.” 

Though Auggie’s afraid of going to school with other kids, it’s only because of how others view him. Though he says he’s fine with how people stare at him, he’s still just a little kid who wants nothing more than to be befriended.

“Everyone born of God overcometh the world.” 

The doctors told Auggie’s parents that he wouldn’t live though the night when he was born. Miraculously, he proves them wrong. A nurse that began as a seemingly mean person whispers this to Auggie’s mom to give her strength and peace of mind. It affirms the value of perseverance, and it’s a great life lesson in general.