Dear Great Book Guru,   I was at the opening of the Sea Cliff Village Museum's newest exhibit- "Architectural Details- Ceiling, Floors, Windows and Doors" and its new permanent exhibit "Gone But Not Forgotten"  an extensive collection of photos of Sea Cliff buildings demolished or destroyed over the years.  Museum Director Sara Reres did a fabulous job organizing this exhibit and her presentation at the opening ceremony was great. While there, I heard an enthusiastic group  singing the praises of a new book -WONDER. They insisted it would appeal to everyone from ten-year olds  to the octogenarian crowd and all ages in-between. Is it possible that a book can transcend the generations?  Doubtful in Sea Cliff

Dear Doubtful,  Put your doubts aside and go get yourself a copy of WONDER  by  R.J. Palacio.  The book is written from the perspective of funny, sweet, smart, sassy August Pullman,  a ten-year old with a  severe facial deformity. "I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse" he tells us in the opening chapter.  Faced with going to school for the first time (he's been homeschooled by his loving -also funny and smart- parents), August bravely faces new friends, new experiences and new feelings.  In alternating chapters, his friends and sister give us their perspectives on the events which define August's year.  While his world is a young boy's, it is also the world all of us inhabit- one where kindness and humor can make a heaven of the most hellish of experiences.  Highly recommended for all ages!