Bethy-Bee’s review:

Iva May has one last best friend, Elizabeth Evans who moves away (she didn’t even get to say good bye!). When Iva May goes to her first day of school Jenna still picks on her and —wait a minute, let me tell you about Jenna. Her name is Jenna Drews and she is bratty, bossy and other mean things. Anyway, Iva May comes in the bus, and mean old Jenna is there waiting for her. Jenna is the meanest girl ever. Anywhere. You get the picture. She gets on and Jenna picks on her and she sits down and wishes Elizabeth was there to comfort her, but she was not. Later, in recess she wishes Elizabeth was there to play with her, but she was not. Iva May needs a new friend, but not Jenna.

Sherry’s thoughts:

This book is another one about friendship, making friends, telling stories in order to impress a new friend. It reminded me of Tall Tales, another Cybil nominee, without the alcoholism and pitched to a little bit younger audience. Iva May is an engaging character, and the story feels believable and fun. The idea of having a secret friend with whom you exchange notes hidden in a secret hiding place is a great device. Kids love secret messages and secret languages and secrets in general. Does anyone remember The Secret Language by editor and author Ursula Nordstrom? It was one of my favorite stories many, many years ago. I should re-read and see if it’s held up to the passage of time.

My Last Best Friend is a cute school story about how to and how not to make friends. It may not last a hundred years, but it should be good to pass an afternoon for the younger set and inspire them to their own secret-message writing and receiving.

Other bloggers review My Last Best Friend:

KidsReads: “Without meaning to do so, Ida has slipped into another special friendship. Should Ida risk revealing her true identity?”

Laura Bowers: “Debut author Julie Bowe tells a charming story that will win the heart of any girl who’s faced her fear sideways.”

Little Willow interviews author Julie Bowe.