The Wonderling by Mira Bartok

The main character in this story starts life with only a number as a name.  Number 13 is a groundling, a creature that is part animal and part human.  Number 13 has a fox's face, but is missing an ear.  He is friendly and hopeless in a Dickensian orphanage. Then he meets a new orphan, Trinket, and with her friendship, he finds the courage to take charge of his life and confront an evil that threatens the happiness of the whole country.

This was another very fanciful fantasy.  I think I liked the story better than either The Glass Town Game or Furthermore, because it isn't as random or outrageous as the other two. Both Arthur (Number 13) and Trinket are very likable characters and the ending is satisfying. Unfortunately the writing is a little uneven. Most of it was fine, but there were places that I thought to myself, "oh, that was worded awkwardly." Still, it would work well as a read aloud for a family with a variety of ages listening in, though, at 450 p. perhaps it is a little long for that. It is a good choice for the kids who like Redwall.  (2017)