My Last Best Friend (Friends for Keeps) [Paperback]

Julie Bowe (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Friends for Keeps

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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 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 © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

After her best friend moves away, Ida May, just starting fourth grade, decides to stay lonely rather than open herself up to being hurt again. Then Stacey, who seems nice, arrives. Bossy bully Jenna sweeps Stacey into her circle, but Ida May senses Stacey isn't entirely at home there. Curious, Ida May sends Stacey a note, keeping her identity secret. When Stacey responds, Ida May is delighted despite herself. The resulting correspondence brings the girls closer, but Ida May steadfastly refuses to tell Stacey who she is, and Stacey won't reveal the whole truth about herself or admit that Jenna is a poor friend. Ida May is perhaps too quick-witted for her years, and Jenna is so over-the-top that she verges on caricature. Yet Bowe successfully creates a wry, sweet, proud protagonist in Ida May, whose struggle to leave the security of childhood things behind and make new friends hits all the right emotional notes. Comedy and important growing-up issues, like handling bullies and telling the truth, meld in a strong debut, just right for the age group. Zvirin, Stephanie --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152061975
• ISBN-13: 978-0152061975
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Marriage & Divorce
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Divorce

More About the Author

Julie Bowe is the author of the Friends for Keeps series -- My Last Best Friend, My New Best Friend, My Best Frenemy, My Forever Friends, and My Extra Best Friend (Dial, 2012). My Last Best Friend was included in Kirkus Reviews '07 First Fiction Spotlight: Promising Debuts from Important New Voices, won the 2008 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, and was a finalist for the 2008-09 Great Stone Face Book Award. School Library Journal describes it as perfect "for readers who have graduated from Sara Pennypacker's 'Clementine' stories, Barbara Park's 'Junie B. Jones' series, and Megan McDonald's 'Judy Moody' books."

Julie has worked as a youth director, a camp program director, and as a curriculum writer and editor. She is a mom and a volunteer youth leader in her community.

Julie lives in Wisconsin and can be visited online at www.juliebowe.com
and http://juliebowe.livejournal.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She swears never to have another best friend again --- they're much too painful to lose, June 5, 2007

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Last Best Friend (Friends for Keeps) (Hardcover)

When Ida May's best friend, Elizabeth Evans, moves away, Ida's life nosedives into depression and isolation. She swears never to have another best friend again --- they're much too painful to lose.

So Ida starts fourth grade without any friends. Her mother tries to set her up with the PTA president's daughter --- the snooty Jenna Drews, who tormented Ida and Elizabeth --- but Ida knows it will never work. How can you be friends with someone who calls you "I-duh"? But to please her parents, she agrees to go to the movies and a sleepover party with Jenna.

Both activities turn out just as Ida expects, with Jenna insulting and rejecting her. But there's one surprise --- a new girl named Stacey Merriweather who has just moved into town and happens to be in the same class as Ida and Jenna. Ida can't help but notice Stacey's huge, friendly smile and senses an instant connection with her. However, Ida fights these feelings with all of her strength; she must remember her vow of no more best friends. They just end up leaving.

Nevertheless, Ida's curiosity gets the best of her. How can she find out more about this stranger without opening herself up for more hurt? She soon figures out a way --- by writing a note yet keeping her identity a secret. Ida scribbles a quick question, signs it "a girl" and leaves it on Stacey's desk. This inspires a secret letter-writing venture that brings light and smiles back into Ida's life. Through the anonymous letters, Ida and Stacey share stories, drawings, jokes and concerns. Without meaning to do so, Ida has slipped into another special friendship. Should Ida risk revealing her true identity?

What a delightful story this is! Julie Bowe has created a thoughtful, funny and realistic look at one girl's struggles with losing her best friend. Readers will quickly bond with Ida, feeling her pain, sharing her hopes and fears, and urging her to open up for a new relationship. The exciting concept of sharing secret letters with a special someone keeps the pages turning fast, and MY LAST BEST FRIEND ends all too soon. We hope to read more from this talented new author.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, March 31, 2007

By 

M. Melting-Nelson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Last Best Friend (Friends for Keeps) (Hardcover)

This story captures the flavors of childhood friendship that are both sweet and tart! It's easy to identify with Ida: desperately wanting friendship but holding back because the pain that accompanies losing a friend is real. I sense that the adventures of Ida and Stacey are just beginning to unfold: I look forward to hearing about what they will do next!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read!, October 27, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: My Last Best Friend (Friends for Keeps) (Paperback)

I'm a 7 ½ year old girl who loves to read, and I think this one is perfect for 7 to 9 year olds. The main character is named Ida May (but she calls herself Cordelia near the end) - she has quite a problem because there's a bully in her class and I felt bad about it. The bully's name is Jenna Drews. In the beginning the book explained how Ida May got her first best friend and it was kind of gross (because she threw up in her friend's hand!). But I don't know what happened to the vow - the vow of not ever having another best friend because her first best friend moved away forever, since Ida May makes a new best friend at the end with a girl named Stacey who has a big crayon smile. I liked how they find the secret stone even though I don't understand who Bessie is. At the end, everything turns out just fine but I still wonder what happened to the potato-drawing contest. I think it's a masterpiece and I think it's perfect for anyone who wants a wonderful read.