An unforgettable story of kindness and unrelenting courage
Sara Blum lives an idyllic life with her adoring parents in Vichy France. But her world comes crashing down when the Nazi occupation separates the family and forces the young Jewish girl into hiding. Her classmate Julien and his family will risk everything to ensure her survival, and, together, Sara and Julien manage to find beauty in a secret world of their creation.
Read the novelized version of the celebrated New York Times bestselling story of kindness and unrelenting courage in a time of war—inspired by the blockbuster phenomenon Wonder.
The White Bird movie is coming to theaters October 2024.
White Bird: A Wonder Story
What People are Saying About 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.”
—Meg Medina, Newbery Award-winning author of Merci Suárez Changes Gears
“At once expressive and chaste, an elusive but ideal combination.”
—The New York Times
“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
“Extraordinarily powerful.”
—Forbes
Educator Resources
Download these guides prepared by our School & Library team for further discussion on R. J. Palacio's White Bird.
Download:
White Bird Educators' Guide
White Bird Discussion Guide
Read an Excerpt
1930s, France
“Sara? Sara, are you ready to go?”
I spun around in an exasperated circle, watching the skirt of my new dress flare out. “Papa, how can you ask that? I’ve been ready for hours,” I told him.
“Hours?” He raised a dubious eyebrow.
I nodded. “Yes, hours. Can we go now?”
“In a moment, when your mother is ready. Where’s your coat and hat?” asked Papa.
I groaned dramatically. “It’s spring, Papa. I don’t need my coat and hat.”
Papa put on his own coat and hat, then folded his arms across his chest. “My dear girl, I am a man of science. The calendar may say it is spring, but look outside and you’ll see that the trees are telling a different story.”
“The trees say I’m fine without my coat and hat,” I informed him.
“Your mother says otherwise, and that’s final,” said Maman, joining us in the front hall. She looked so chic in her red wool coat and matching hat that I abandoned my protest and put mine on, too.
“Fine. Can we go now?” I asked, twirling again for her to admire me. She kissed me on the head, and we set off for the market, the three of us, arm in arm.
This was...
Discover More from R. J. Palacio
Wonder
Celebrate the power of kindness with Wonder by R. J. Palacio—the worldwide bestseller that launched the Choose Kind movement.
Pony
An extraordinary story of adventure, friendship, and the invisible bonds that connect us. This unforgettable, instant New York Times bestseller from the author of Wonder is now in paperback.
Connect With us
By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime.
Art © R. J. Palacio
