Shingaling

Gr 3–7—This third installment in the "Wonder" series provides a girl's perspective to the friendships (and fallouts) of Beecher Prep since Auggie began attending. The "boys' wars" continue, but Charlotte's best friend has joined Team Savannah, and the old blind accordion man has vanished. When Charlotte, Summer, and Ximena (members of different cliques) are selected to perform at a benefit gala held at Carnegie Hall, the trio form a unique friendship—and solve a mystery. The story is told from Charlotte's perspective and offers readers a brief glimpse into the murky maladies that plague the fifth grade: whispered secrets, rampant rumors, the social status ladder, rejection's sting, and the warmth of acceptance—of others and oneself. Narrator Taylor Ann Krahn excels at sliding easily from one character to another in this story that nudges listeners to look past the outside appearance, including those deemed normal, talented, and beautiful, and take a chance at finding friendship outside one's self-drawn social circle.