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Friends for Keeps #2
My New Best Friend
There's a new girl in town! After Ida May’s last best friend moved away, she swore she’d never have another. But then she met fun, sparkly Stacey Merriweather, and now she and Ida are like two peas in a pod. When the friends discover a magical mermaid night-light that seems to grant wishes, they start a secret club— just the two of them. Ida uses the mermaid to make something bad happen to Jenna, the mean girl in class. Then Stacey uses the mermaid to undo a scheduled math test. The more they put the mermaid's powers to use, the more they need to help it along by manipulating the truth with their "highly creative stories." Ida goes along with all the lies at first. But before long, Ida suspects that Stacey is using the mermaid to tell some big lies . . . and to cause some big trouble at home. And soon Ida feels caught between telling the truth and hurting friendship with Stacey. How will Ida set the record straight while still keeping her new best friend?
192 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2008
12 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Julie Bowe
26 books46 followersJulie Bowe writes books for young readers including the Friends for Keeps series, the Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series, and Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd).
www.juliebowe.com
www.juliebowe.com
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 9, 2008
Bowe, Julie. 2007. My Last Best Friend.
I enjoyed My Last Best Friend right from the start:
"I'm Ida May, and there's one thing I know. Fourth grade isn't fourth at all. Fourth means you've done something at least three times before. But fourth grade is nothing like third grade. Or second grade. Or first grade.
In fourth grade there is no more printing There is only cursive. I hate cursive.
In fourth grade you are not allowed to add and subtract. You are only allowed to multiply and divide.
In fourth grade you're a baby if you still want to play with Barbies. Or if the Tooth Fairy still comes to your house. Or if you want your mother to walk you to the bus stop. Third grade is the last grade you can get by with any of that. Trust me." (1)
Our narrator, Ida May, is great. I found her voice to be believable. And I cared for her almost immediately. Ida May's "problems" are authentic ones. Her best friend has moved away. She's starting a new school year, and she doesn't have--make that doesn't want--another best friend. She's a bit intimidated by some of the other kids in her class. Especially by the mean, bully Jenna Drews. And she just wishes it would all go away. Her parents just don't understand. (As an adult, I can see that they just want their child to be "happy." And sometimes to get to that happy place later--further on in the future--you've got to be pushed into doing some things you just don't like in the here and now.) But Ida May feels her parents are always pushing and prodding and picking on her when it comes to the "friends" issue. (They want her to have friends and to be popular and part of the crowd instead of isolated on her own.)
What she finds is a friend through a pen pal. Stacey Merriweather is the new girl. On the surface, she's best pals with the "evil" Jenna Drews. But Ida May feels that maybe just maybe Stacey isn't what she seems. That beneath the surface, there's someone there that would be her friend. Ida knows Stacey is a liar. That she's not telling the truth. That she's keeping secrets. And before Ida risks revealing herself, she wants a few reassurances, promises. Thus a correspondence begins between Anastasia (Stacey) and Cordelia (Ida). She's able to be herself, her true self, on paper and really begins to open up again to the possibility of friendship and happiness.
Life. School. Friendship. Bullies. Family.
© Becky Laney of Young Readers
I enjoyed My Last Best Friend right from the start:
"I'm Ida May, and there's one thing I know. Fourth grade isn't fourth at all. Fourth means you've done something at least three times before. But fourth grade is nothing like third grade. Or second grade. Or first grade.
In fourth grade there is no more printing There is only cursive. I hate cursive.
In fourth grade you are not allowed to add and subtract. You are only allowed to multiply and divide.
In fourth grade you're a baby if you still want to play with Barbies. Or if the Tooth Fairy still comes to your house. Or if you want your mother to walk you to the bus stop. Third grade is the last grade you can get by with any of that. Trust me." (1)
Our narrator, Ida May, is great. I found her voice to be believable. And I cared for her almost immediately. Ida May's "problems" are authentic ones. Her best friend has moved away. She's starting a new school year, and she doesn't have--make that doesn't want--another best friend. She's a bit intimidated by some of the other kids in her class. Especially by the mean, bully Jenna Drews. And she just wishes it would all go away. Her parents just don't understand. (As an adult, I can see that they just want their child to be "happy." And sometimes to get to that happy place later--further on in the future--you've got to be pushed into doing some things you just don't like in the here and now.) But Ida May feels her parents are always pushing and prodding and picking on her when it comes to the "friends" issue. (They want her to have friends and to be popular and part of the crowd instead of isolated on her own.)
What she finds is a friend through a pen pal. Stacey Merriweather is the new girl. On the surface, she's best pals with the "evil" Jenna Drews. But Ida May feels that maybe just maybe Stacey isn't what she seems. That beneath the surface, there's someone there that would be her friend. Ida knows Stacey is a liar. That she's not telling the truth. That she's keeping secrets. And before Ida risks revealing herself, she wants a few reassurances, promises. Thus a correspondence begins between Anastasia (Stacey) and Cordelia (Ida). She's able to be herself, her true self, on paper and really begins to open up again to the possibility of friendship and happiness.
Life. School. Friendship. Bullies. Family.
© Becky Laney of Young Readers
March 16, 2014
Ida May and Stacey Merriweather are two peas in a pod. And when they find a magical light, Ida suspects Stacey is using it to cause trouble. How can she set the record straight while keeping her best friend?
This is the second book in the series. This is another about friendship, keeping friends, honesty, and making new friends.
This is the second book in the series. This is another about friendship, keeping friends, honesty, and making new friends.
April 7, 2019
My New Best Friend is a decent middle-grade sequel. The characters are well-done and the story feels very authentic to fourth grade. I do think that Jenna's family issues could have been better handled--they were a little too obvious in the beginning and then not discussed enough at the end. Also, the amount of lying and sneaking around is a little much. Still an enjoyable read, though.
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Julie M. Prince for TeensReadToo.com
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.
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.
January 23, 2015
I would probably go 3 1/2 stars were that an option, but 4 seems to reflect my enjoyment of this moreso than a 3 star.
This is not my book of choice....but after reading with teenage sons for the past 17/15 years, my 10 y/o daughter selected this book for us. Anytime I can read with one of my children and see them get excited about the world of words, is an opportunity not to be wasted!!!!! But, I would never have selected a book about 5th grade girl drama.
This was a very cute book, with some very good conversation, ethical situations, discussion. Ida is a very likeable lead who shares her experiences with her new best friend Stacey. They find what they believe to be a magical mermaid lamp, and their faith in this lamp leads them into many poor decisions and of course less than desirable consequences.
I would recommend this to 4th-5th grade girls (oh why not, boys too), and moms and dads who love to read every other page with their children. Quick paced, believable and likeable characters, a lot of laughs and fun on their misadventures.
This is not my book of choice....but after reading with teenage sons for the past 17/15 years, my 10 y/o daughter selected this book for us. Anytime I can read with one of my children and see them get excited about the world of words, is an opportunity not to be wasted!!!!! But, I would never have selected a book about 5th grade girl drama.
This was a very cute book, with some very good conversation, ethical situations, discussion. Ida is a very likeable lead who shares her experiences with her new best friend Stacey. They find what they believe to be a magical mermaid lamp, and their faith in this lamp leads them into many poor decisions and of course less than desirable consequences.
I would recommend this to 4th-5th grade girls (oh why not, boys too), and moms and dads who love to read every other page with their children. Quick paced, believable and likeable characters, a lot of laughs and fun on their misadventures.
December 12, 2010
December 12, 2010
I am on page 137 and it is pretty good. I made a conection to Ida because she has a best friend, and someone is trying to steal her from Ida. While she is stealing her she is being mean and rude to her she is also being exclusive and she won't let Ida near her mpst of the time. I know how it feels to be excluded like that because in kindergarten my friend went off to play with someone else and that made me a little upset.
I am on page 137 and it is pretty good. I made a conection to Ida because she has a best friend, and someone is trying to steal her from Ida. While she is stealing her she is being mean and rude to her she is also being exclusive and she won't let Ida near her mpst of the time. I know how it feels to be excluded like that because in kindergarten my friend went off to play with someone else and that made me a little upset.
April 24, 2010
I love this book!!! Its so good!
December 1, 2010
I loved this book in thrid grade. I am not a very fast reader but it was so good I read it in a week!
May 25, 2011
At the beginning of tbis book (maybe first 30 pages), I was really bored reading it and i wanted to abandon it but i kept reading and it became a really good book, so you have to give it a chance.
October 1, 2012
Excellent series.
September 6, 2011
This book is really cute! I loved it.
December 16, 2011
I liked how close they are but I feel that Stacy is not being a real friend. She should be more respectful about Ida's feelings instead of just thinking how fun everything is.
June 23, 2012
I thought it was a great book! I have read it over and over again!!! I think Julie Bowe should keep the series going!!!
July 15, 2012
LOVE THIS BOOK!! There's not much to say about this book, only that I LOVED it!!!
September 22, 2012
I really liked this book. Even better when I realized there was going to be a next one!
December 3, 2012
I love Julie Bowe. We got to meet her in person at my old school. She is an amazing author. I want to read the rest of the series.
August 17, 2015
3.5 I thought it was three in a half. Fiona
February 27, 2016
Cool book but not as great as I thought... I need to start reading more 7th grade books... teehee
September 9, 2010
No review.
October 27, 2010
good book!!!!
October 13, 2012
I LOVE IT!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews