Contents
The Fairgrounds
Overview
August enjoys a second upbeat day of the retreat with horseback riding and tree rappelling, then writes a letter home. At the fairgrounds for an outdoor movie, he soaks in the vast sky, shares snacks and games with friends, and notes gossip as Amos wins Ximena a prize. Stadium lights switch on, launching movie night and affirming August’s growing ease and belonging.
Summary
Morning brings more retreat activities as August and his classmates go horseback riding. In the afternoon, nature guides help them rappel up enormous trees, leaving everyone tired and satisfied by dinner.
Given an hour of rest, August writes a letter to his family, recounting the first two days. He knows it will arrive too late, so he imagines reading it aloud when he returns.
At the fairgrounds near sunset, August is struck by the expansive sky and horizon, so different from city views. Because Beecher arrives first, the kids claim front spots, spread sleeping bags before the giant screen, and visit food trucks and concession stands.
August and Jack fail at carnival games, while gossip spreads that Amos won a yellow hippo and gave it to Ximena. The group—August, Jack, Summer, Reid, and Maya—returns to their blankets to share snacks and play Pictionary as other schools arrive and dusk deepens.
As the field darkens to purple and the clouds fade to shadows, massive stadium lights suddenly blaze on, prompting cheers. The lights signal the start of the outdoor movie night, capping a day of adventure, friendship, and August’s growing sense of belonging.
Who Appears
- August (Auggie) PullmanNarrator; enjoys riding and rappelling, writes home, revels in the vast sky, bonds with friends at movie night.
- Jack WillAugust’s close friend; hangs out at the fairgrounds, plays games, fails to win prizes.
- AmosClassmate; wins a yellow hippo at a carnival game and gives it to Ximena, sparking gossip.
- Ximena ChinClassmate; receives the yellow hippo from Amos, fueling fairgrounds gossip.
- Summer DawsonFriend; shares snacks and plays Pictionary with August’s group at the fairgrounds.
- ReidClassmate; joins August’s group for snacks and Pictionary before the movie.
- MayaClassmate; plays Pictionary and hangs out with August’s group on the field.