Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel

June is on the lookout for a new friend, one who is "fun! friendly! full of adventure!" Two things happen: a new family moves in across the street (including a girl her age named Mae), and free-spirited Grandma Penny sends June an unexpected gift. The gift is a do-it-yourself "Wonder Wheel" complete with instructions for its use and the admonition, "Remember, this is not a magic wheel. It only invites you to wonder and to see how little things can change your life." The wheel provides June with lighthearted challenges that lead her to interact in new ways with her classmates, including Mae. All is not smooth sailing, however, as June's nemesis, April, starts to compete for Mae's friendship. In the hands of a more purposive author, the daily wonder wheel tasks could have strong moralistic overtones. Harper, however, keeps things bright and breezy, allowing June to broaden her circle of friends not only with Mae but with her own teenage sister Isabella and class clown Steven as well. The book's short chapters, comic illustrations, and generous-sized font add to its appeal for newly minted independent readers. And the door is open for more adventures featuring April, Mae, and June--Grandma Penny has additional directions for use of the wonder wheel ready to go. viki ash