More than anything else in the world, Hailey Bretzius, 9, wished she could share her favorite book—and its powerful message to choose kindness—with her classmates at Burns Park Elementary School in Ann Arbor.

Tuesday, Hailey’s dream came true after months of coordination by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan: New York Times Best-Selling author R.J. Palacio knocked on the door of Hailey’s classroom Tuesday morning.

With a smile that went from excited to overjoyed in seconds as Hailey opened the door, Hailey embraced Palacio in a giant hug.

Palacio is the author of “Wonder,” a novel published in 2012 about a boy named August “Auggie” Pullman who is about to enter the 5th grade in a new school. Born with a facial deformity, Auggie had garnered some cruel nicknames and was used to people turning away from him.

The overriding message from “Wonder” is a lesson in kindness—one that Hailey identifies with and has shared with her class.

Hailey, who was diagnosed with a lymphatic malformation at birth, has undergone multiple surgeries throughout her childhood to remove parts of a benign tumor that’s been growing between the muscles on the left side of her face.

Last year, Hailey underwent a major surgery in which muscle and nerves from her leg were put into her face to allow her to gain more mobility and to smile, her father Keith Bretzius said.

Tuesday, Hailey confidently led Palacio through the hallways of Burns Park, introducing Palacio to her friends and teachers in the building.

When they reached the library, Palacio asked Hailey what her favorite section was.

Hailey paused to think for a second before answering: “I like everything!”

The majority of the students in Burns Park Elementary had read either selections or all of Palacio’s “Wonder” prior to the author’s arrival—and had colored welcome posters featuring the book jacket art that staff hung around the school Monday night.

Though Hailey knew Palacio would be visiting Tuesday, she didn’t know when the knock on her classroom door would come. Palacio spent all day with Hailey, as the two shared lunch and played at recess.

Burns Park Media Specialist Rachel Erdstein introduced “Wonder” to Hailey several years ago and the book quickly became one of Hailey’s favorites, said her mother, Melissa Bretzius.

The Bretzius family—including Hailey’s older siblings Kyle, who’s in 4th grade at Burns Park, and Lauren, who’s in 7th grade at Tappan—joined the school in an assembly about kindness Tuesday morning.

Every student in Hailey’s class wrote a short description of a time when someone was kind to them—or a time when they were kind to someone else. At the end, the class encouraged their peers to “choose kindness.”

"Wonder" is Palacio's first novel. The inspiration for the book came from a trip to get ice cream with her sons.

While waiting for their treats, Palacio's youngest son—age 3 at the time—had begun to cry after reacting to a girl sitting next to him that had severe craniofacial abnormalities. So as not to hurt the girl and her family, Palacio moved her child away—but ended up causing a larger scene as their ice cream spilled.

As Palacio reflected on the situation, she realized that there was a teachable moment that she had missed. Listening to the Natalie Merchant song "Wonder" later that night, Palacio was struck by the lyrics and began writing.

Hailey considered wishing to be a mermaid for a day, to be an extra in The Lord of the Rings and to give her favorite book, “Wonder,” away to her classmates.

The book and its author, Palacio, eventually emerged as a common theme. Though sending Hailey and her family to New York City to meet Palacio was an initial option, Hailey said she’d rather have Palacio come visit her school.

“It’s the first wish I’ve had that the child was thinking of other people,” said Erin Osgood, a five-year volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.

Hailey’s wish was a special moment for the organization as well, which is pledging to grant a wish for a Michigan child every day of 2014. As the wish of many children is to travel to Disney World, it’s rare for many in the organization to witness the moment when the wish comes true, said Senior Wish Coordinator Alissa Shipman.

Tuesday, an entourage of coordinators and volunteers from the organization were able to witness the delight of Hailey, her classmates and her family when Palacio arrived.

“It’s special in the sense that she wanted to give something to her school,” Osgood said.

Amy Biolchini is the K-12 education reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at amybiolchini@mlive.com, (734) 623-2552 or on Twitter. Find all Washtenaw County K-12 education stories on MLive.com.