In a 2012 interview for a blog called Random Acts of Reading, Palacio explained, 'I spent a few weeks researching genetics-specifically facial anomalies in children.' Going on, the author said, 'I decided not to get too specific about Auggie’s malady in the book, but in my head he has a severe form of Treacher-Collins syndrome complicated by some other unknown mysterious syndrome that makes his particular condition quite rare.'Īccording to the Genetics Home Reference, an estimated one in 50,000 people have Treacher-Collins syndrome, so it's already rare on its own, but the mysterious syndrome which Palacio mentions compounds Auggie's exterior abnormality.

But exactly what condition does Auggie have in Wonder? After her book was published in 2012, Palacio specified that Auggie has a severe form of a genetic condition called Treacher Collins syndrome.Įven though Palacio didn't base Auggie off of someone she knew personally, she learned a great deal about what might cause Auggie's facial differences. Palacio's novel - and the new movie based on it - tells the story of a young boy, Auggie Pullman (played by Jacob Tremblay), who has noticeable facial differences, as he enters mainstream school for the first time. That's all due to the monumental popularity of the book which the movie is based on, by author R.J. The story behind Julia Roberts' new movie, Wonder, has already had a worldwide impact before it even hit theaters.

Auggie book