Wonderling (Candlewick Press, 2017) by Mira Bartók is a touching story perfect for the middle grade reader.
The wonderling is an 11-year-old groundling (part animal, part human) with only a number instead of a name. Number Thirteen has only one ear and is foxlike, but has not tale. He lives in the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures run by Miss Carbunkle. Mistreated, overworked and bullied, he keeps his head down and does what he’s told. But he yearns for something more. His life begins to bloom when he makes his first friend, a young bird groundling he defends. Trinket gives him a real name, Arthur, and through an invention of hers the two friends escape the home. And that’s just the beginning of their adventures.
This book is Mira Bartók’s first book for children and will be the first of a fantasy series. I just read on the author’s website that a movie based on the book is in progress. Read more here. I’m looking forward to both.
