Audrey L and Audrey W: Best Friends-ish

Gr 2-4–Audrey Locke loved first grade and was looking forward to second grade. Unfortunately, things haven’t been as great as she hoped. Her friend Diego is hanging out with other kids. New things turn out to be important such as spelling, who has the best shoes, and whose art gets placed the highest on the filing cabinet. When Audrey L. becomes the Welcome Ambassador for new student Audrey W., she wonders if maybe they could become...friend-ish. They have a lot in common besides their names—both love the color purple and playing the glockenspiel. But Audrey L. is unsure about their friendship. Audrey L. struggles to accept it when Audrey W.’s name for their new class hermit crab is chosen, and Audrey W. seems to be the best at everything—even baking, which is one of her favorite and best things! And when her little brother paints Ms. Pinchcastle (the hermit crab) with nail polish, and Audrey W.’s cupcake is chosen as the best, Audrey L. has had it. Can she find a way to make amends with Audrey W., or will her hopes for a best friend be dashed? This delightful tale of friendship struggles and the uncertainties of school shines with humor and spirit. Mann’s black-and-white line illustrations help break up the text and nicely complement the two Audrey’s adventures.