My New Best Friend
by Julie Bowe

    MY NEW BEST FRIEND by Julie Bowe
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  8/1/08
    Publisher:  Harcourt
    Reviewed by:  Julie M. Prince
    Rating:  4 Stars


    When Ida and Stacey create a secret club, the world gets kind of kooky. Perhaps it's because the club mascot is an
    evil mermaid, or perhaps it's because of all the secrets.

    Best friends share secrets, right? But what if your best friend's secrets are getting you in trouble? And what if your
    worst enemy is acting more like your best friend than your actual best friend?

    I couldn't wait for this sequel to MY LAST BEST FRIEND, and Julie Bowe is back with the authentic fourth-grade
    voice of Ida May:

    "I'm NOT so thankful that Brooke invited Jenna to the party. That's because Jenna is the kind of person who
    would pin back your skin if she could. Then she would take something sharp and poke at all the stuff you'd
    rather keep hidden. Stuff like spilling your lunch tray. And tripping on the bus."

    Ida May is the perfect fourth-grade narrator, learning to navigate the boundaries of a new friendship and gaining
    wisdom about relationships around her, all with the helpful insight of her sock monkey, George.

    The anticipation of this second book was well worthwhile, as Ida remained true and strong, and Bowe developed
    secondary characters into some I'd like to know even better. This is a book elementary school teachers can put on
    classroom bookshelves with confidence that it's a well-told story to which kids will relate.