365 DAYS OF WONDER<br><b>R. J. Palacio</b><br><i>Random House</i>
365 Days of Wonder is set out in monthly sections, with a daily precept (words by which we can live) and a short message at the end of each month ''written'' by Mr Browne, August's English teacher at Beecher School.
Precepts were a favourite of Mr Browne's in Wonder, and he started each year's new class with a lesson on them, inviting pupils to write their own.
The format of the book and the inclusion of some real children's precepts (acknowledged in the endpapers) sets it apart from others.
Two particularly caught my eye: ''One of the most essential prerequisites to happiness is unbounded tolerance.''
''Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.''
Ages 12+.
- René Nol
