My Last Best Friend (Friends for Keeps Series #1)

by Julie Bowe, Penguin Young Readers Group

Overview

As Ida May begins fourth grade, she is determined never to make another best friend—because her last best friend moved away. This is a doable plan at first. Thanks to bratty, bossy Jenna Drews, who hates Ida, no one in class has ever really noticed her before.

It's when the sparkly Stacey Merriweather comes to her school that Ida's plan goes awry. Ida reaches out despite her fear but doesn't say hello—instead she writes Stacey anonymous notes. Soon their friendship develops without Ida ever having to reveal her real identity . . . until she has no choice. And that's when the true friendship begins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780152061975
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	05/01/2008
Series:	Friends for Keeps Series , #1
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	199,511
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.44(h) x 0.45(d)
Lexile:	660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

JULIE BOWE lives in Wisconsin. My Last Best Friend is her first novel for young readers.

Editorial Reviews

"A sweet read."—Discovery Girls magazine
"Entertaining . . . A good selection for reluctant readers as well as those adjusting to the pressures of growing up."—Kirkus Reviews
"Delightful."—School Library Journal
"Ida embodies the universal longing to connect with a kindred spirit."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Starting fourth grade is a lonely business for Ida May since Elizabeth, her "last best friend," moved away. To make things worse, mean Jenna Drews, daughter of the PTA president, is making Ida's life miserable by taunting Ida every chance she gets. Ida wishes that she could find a new best friend in Stacey Merriweather, a girl with a "big-crayon" smile, who has just moved to town. But part of Ida fears that if she gets close to Stacey, the girl might disappear just as Elizabeth did ("Trust me, you don't want to get too close to big-crayon smiles. That's because people with big-crayon smiles don't stick around very long," Ida laments). In this heartfelt, slice-of-life story, first-time novelist Bowe explores both the uncertainties and rewards of friendship as she traces her wistful heroine's first few weeks of school. Ida's hurt at being bullied by Jenna is skillfully evoked, but what readers will feel most strongly is Ida's yearning to share simple pleasures like "Messy art projects. Corny jokes." and "Mild cheddar cheese" with someone special, who likes her just for who she is. Throughout the novel, Ida cautiously approaches Stacey, using anonymous notes as a vehicle to introduce herself to the newcomer. Stacey's replies to the secret messages reveal that she has told some "emergency" lies about her living situation and may have to leave town soon, just as Ida has feared. If the book's resolution is a little too tidy, Bowe's characters emerge fully formed. Ida embodies the universal longing to connect with a kindred spirit. Ages 7-10. (Apr.)

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Publishers Weekly

Gr 3-4 - This debut novel features Ida May, who is convinced that fourth grade is not going to be fun because her best friend has moved away. Determined not to make a new one for fear of losing her, too, she still wants to get to know the new girl, Stacey, better. Ida, who likes to draw, leaves notes in a loose brick because she doesn't want Stacey to know who she is. Stacey, who likes to write, replies back. Meanwhile, nasty Jenna taunts Ida and does everything she can to prevent the friendship. Jenna is a villain whom readers may recognize from mean girls in their own classes. By the end of the novel, though, even she grows. Delightful details enhance this friendship story that develops realistically. The engaging cover and quirky font used for the secret notes will appeal to more sophisticated readers who no longer need illustrations. This story is for readers who have graduated from Sara Pennypacker's "Clementine" stories (Hyperion), Barbara Park's "Junie B. Jones" series (Random), and Megan McDonald's "Judy Moody" books (Candlewick).-Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

School Library Journal

Fourth grade is about to start, and Ida May has a lot to deal with. She will have to write in cursive, learn to multiply and divide, stop playing with dolls-and get used to the absence of her best friend Elizabeth, who has moved away. To top it off, her parents are insisting that she play with Jenna Drews, resident popular girl and bully. Then Ida meets Stacy, a new girl with whom she seems to have a lot in common. Unfortunately, Jenna absorbs Stacy into the popular group. Is there some way Ida can learn to succeed in fourth grade, make new friends and thwart Jenna's catty comments? Ida's humorous outlook is engaging, and the situation is realistic. With one exception-the circumstances surrounding Ida's previous best friend are not thoroughly addressed-this is an entertaining story that young girls will particularly enjoy, and Ida's cleverness and wit in coping with day-to-day problems will certainly appeal. A good selection for reluctant readers as well as those adjusting to the pressures of growing up. (Fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews

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