The arrival of a classmate with the same name brings potential friendship and frustrations to a deflated second grader in Carter Higgins and Jennifer K. Mann's sensitive and gently humorous illustrated chapter book Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends-ish.
Second grade is "way, way worse" than first. Audrey Locke's former best friend, Diego, has picked Henley over her, and, unlike their talented classmates, Audrey isn't the best at anything. Once Ms. Fincastle assigns Audrey as Welcome Ambassador to a new student, Audrey isn't even the best Audrey anymore. Audrey Waters and Audrey L share an interest in alicorns (unicorns with wings) and purple nail polish, and Audrey L is optimistic the two might become real friends. "Having somebody see your baby pictures and your bare feet and your annoying little brother means they are an actual, real friend." After a baking playdate ends poorly and jeopardizes the relationship, Audrey L wishes she could be "just plain Audrey" again.
Higgins (Bikes for Sale; This Is Not a Valentine) captures the complicated dynamics of nascent friendships and perceived hierarchies through small moments that ring with authenticity and humor. Mann (The Camping Trip) drops thematic hints through chapter headers, while spot illustrations featuring moon-faced characters appear in shaded line drawings throughout the story. Well-paced chapters conclude satisfactorily while planting seeds for future installments to feature the classmates and Audrey L's "funny... and weird" family. A natural fit for fans of odd-couple friendship stories like Ivy & Bean and funny school stories like Jo Jo Makoons, this series starter promises double the fun. --Kit Ballenger, youth librarian, Help Your Shelf