You're Not My Best Friend Anymore [Hardcover]

Charlotte Pomerantz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up

Molly and Ben have always done everything together--they even celebrate their birthdays with one big party. But when they have a disagreement over how they should spend money they have saved together, it looks like the party's over! Fortunately both come to see that whereas they are willing to give up on what they wanted to buy, they are not willing to give up on being best friends.... Charlotte Pomerantz's touching story paired with David Soman's expressive art is sure to offer comfort to all young readers who are learning about the ups and downs--as well as the true meaning--of friendship. Charlotte Pomerantz is the author of many highly acclaimed children's books, including The Chalk Doll, illustrated by Fran Lessac. David Soman's art has been praised by School Library Journal for creat[ing] a ss the wide plains and for one last spectacular run before guiding them into the corral. Bob's job is done, but he dreams of galloping with Warrior forever--to where the sky and land meet. This splendid collaboration by an award-winning team captures the beauty and harshness of the frontier, a boundless arena for the struggle between freedom and survival. Based on accounts of Bob Lemmons, a former slave, Black Cowboy, Wild Horses has been rewritten as a picture book by Julius Lester from his story The Man Who Was a Horse in Long Journey Home, first published by Dial in 1972.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2AThis earnest look at conflict and reconciliation will be most appreciated by adults wishing to review relationship skills with young listeners. Molly and Ben are neighbors and friends. Their falling out comes when they can't agree on which tent to purchase with their combined allowances. Although they stay angry for several days, all is forgiven when they give one another sleeping bags as birthday gifts and decide to camp out together in the backyard. Unfortunately, there is little development of characters or conflict so that the happy ending seems forced and abrupt. Small details show both the kids' closeness and their antagonism. When they are getting along, they often choose to wear the same T-shirts. When trouble looms, they wear different shirts, sit at different tables in the lunchroom, and stop doing their homework together. Many of the watercolor paintings are full page. On some pages, however, Soman links smaller illustrations with larger pictures of the children's shirts, a technique that varies the page layout and adds interest. This visual link also provides a pleasing counterpoint to Pomerantz's sometimes staccato text. While there are plenty of books celebrating compromise and encouraging children to get along, it's a message we can all stand to hear (at least) one more time.ALisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Molly and Ben live in the same two family house, wear identical shirts to school, sit together in the lunch room, and, since their birthdays are only five days apart, share a single party every year. It's a beautiful friendship that hits the rocks when they can't agree on the kind of tent to buy with their collective savings. After nearly a week of not speaking, they reluctantly agree to have their party ``for the sake of the grown-ups,'' and discover that they've both spent all their money buying each other sleeping bags. Rift mended, they camp out together that night in the yard. In realistic, golden-toned watercolors, Soman artfully captures his young characters (one of whom is African-American) passing through annoyance, anger, regret, and loneliness before moving back to contentment. Conflict resolution is a common theme, but it's rare and refreshing to see children work out their differences on their own, without adult advice. (Picture book. 6-7) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803715595
• ISBN-13: 978-0803715592
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,595,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charlotte Pomerantz was born in Brooklyn, NY; she and her husband raised their two children in Manhattan. Charlotte has had stories, poems, and articles in anthologies, in Publishers Weekly and The New York Times Book Review. She is coauthor of a book and lyrics for a musical, EUREKA!, performed at the Bruce Walt Auditorium at Lincoln Center.

▪ POSY received a Christopher Award and was named a Junior Literary Guild selection.
▪ THE MOUSERY won the Christopher Award.
▪ THE HALF-BIRTHDAY PARTY and THE MANGO TOOTH were Junior Literary Guild selections.
▪ TAMARINDO PUPPY was named a Notable Book by the American Library Association and a Reading Rainbow Book.
▪ IF I HAD A PAKA was cited as an Honor Book in the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards.
▪ THE PRINCESS AND THE ADMIRAL won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.
▪ THE DAY THEY PARACHUTED CATS ON BORNEO was chosen for the International Board on Books for Young People for the International Year of the Child.
▪ HOW MANY TRUCKS CAN A TOW TRUCK TOW won the Children's Book of the Year Award, Library of Congress.
▪ PIGGY IN THE PUDDLE won the New York Times Outstanding Picture Book of the Year.