Julie Bowe

 My editor sent me two hot-off-the-press copies of My New Best Friend! It's so cool to feel the weight of the book in my hand and to see Jana Christy's excellent art on the end pages:



Here's the story description from the jacket flap:

Ida May and her new best friend, Stacey Merriweather, are two peas in a pod. And when they discover a magical mermaid night-light that seems to grant wishes, they start a secret club -- just the two of them. But before long, Ida suspects that Stacey is using the mermaid to tell some big lies. . . and to cause some big trouble at home. How will Ida set the record straight while still keeping her new best friend?

The mermaid night-light, with her spooky glowing grin, plays a big role in the story, so I've been bringing along the mermaid night-light that served as inspiration for the book to summer events. I put her inside a purple box so kids can see her glowing grin:



Wanna peek?

So many people have been turning text into these Wordle clouds (click on the cloud to see a larger verion), I just had to play along! The first cloud below is for My Last Best Friend and the second cloud is for My New Best Friend. I like how BIG Stacey and Jenna's names are and how Jenna's name intersects the second cloud. Fitting for her personality! Ida, our heroine, is fairly small in both clouds (can you find her?). Fitting again, as the story is told in first person and her personality is on the meek side. "Vulnerable and victorious" as one reviewer put it. I love that description of her.

It's from Kirkus and it's great!

 This delightful sequel to 2007’s My Last Best Friend continues the story of fourth-grader Ida May, her growing friendship with Stacey and her rivalry with bully Jenna. While looking for costumes in her attic, Ida May and Stacey unearth a mermaid nightlight. Turned off, the mermaid has a pleasant smile; turned on, the smile turns into a scary, glowing grin. Stacey believes the lamp will cast evil spells like those in horror movies. They form the “Secret Mermaid Club,” and Ida May directs the first spell at bossy Jenna. The two girls believe their spells actually work, but things become complicated when they need to lie to make Stacey’s spells come true. Can Ida May straighten things out without endangering their friendship? The unexpected twist (at the end) is believable and satisfying. Bowe is spot-on with Ida May’s feelings toward Stacey and her change-of-heart toward Jenna. Issues surrounding divorced households are handled realistically. Fans of Ida May will be overjoyed to read this new installment. 
~Kirkus Reviews

And it's even my birthday so this is quite the gift!! Thank you, Kirkus!

Short and sweet! :)

 The publication date for My New Best Friend is August 1, 2008!