365 Days of Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Reviewed by Lori
Title: 365 Days of Wonder {Mr. Browne's Precepts}

Series: Wonder

Author: R. J. Palacio

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 127343

Description:  A book of precepts, with one saying for each day, from Auggie's teacher Mr. Browne.

Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It 

Why I Read It: I’m a bit of a fan of precepts and it looked like a very quick read.

Notes: I really enjoyed reading this book.  Interestingly, I had this book and Wonder delivered at the same time.  Usually I would have read wonder first but I ended up sticking my nose in this one instead and couldn’t put it down.  While it did give away some of the plot points of Wonder I find I’m more interested in reading the book now than I had originally planned.  If the book is written with the same tone and care as this book I think I will find it delightful. While I had heard/seen/read many of the precepts before I did find ones that were new to me.  But more than the precepts I enjoyed Mr. Browne’s notes for the end of each month. If he had been my teacher in school I would have had a fantastic year. For a fictional character I found him completely engaging and if he was a speaker at a conference you could be sure I would attend.  I found that the book focused very much on kindness. A message that bears repeating – especially today. This book is great as an introduction to Inquiry in the middle school classroom.

Recommended Readers:  Everyone... absolutely everyone.  Teachers, Students, Adults, Children.  This book will appeal to everybody.  

Themes: Precepts, Kindness, Wonder, Anecdotes and Lessons, Grade 5, Student and Teacher Relationships, Friendship, Change, Social understanding

Cross-Genre Links:
Movie: Wonder
Character Education: Kindness
Literary Devices: Precepts and Maxims
English: Essays
Social Studies: Anti-bullying, Random Acts 

Inquiries and Activities:

  • What is a precept?
  • What is your favourite precept and why?
  • Why do Mr. Browne's students contact him over the summer and what do they confess?
  • How does Julian come self-realization?
  • Write your own precept.   
  • As a class put your precepts together to create your own yearly precept calendar.  Use your own and quotes that you like. 


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