My New Best Friend

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. Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince