Julie Bowe

photo: 2005 Doug Knutson

Julie Bowe grew up in Luck, Wisconsin. Actually she grew up “out of Luck”—about a mile and a half away. She is the author of the Friends for Keeps series: My Last Best Friend, which is 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,” according to School Library Journal; My New Best Friend and the forthcoming My Best Frenemy (May, 2010). She is currently writing a fourth book for the series.

[Pronunciation guide: Bowe (boe-vee)]




			My Best Frenemy Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010 ISBN978-0-8037-3501-9 Have you met Ida May? She likes mild cheddar cheese, has a sock monkey named George, and is not necessarily as brave on the outside as she is on the inside. But when courage fails her the most, she’s surprised when it’s not her best friend who comes to her rescue, but her frenemy! Last best friends, new best friends, best frenemies, truth or dare—how will Ida May handle it all? Fans of Ida May will love this newest installment in Julie Bowe’s Friends for Keeps series.



			My New Best Friend Harcourt, 2008 ISBN978-0-15-206498-3 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?



			My Last Best Friend Harcourt, 2007 ISBN978-0-15-205777-0 Elizabeth Evans was Ida May’s last best friend. They liked all the same things: messy art projects, corny jokes, and mild cheddar cheese. They promised to be best friends for the rest of their lives. But then Elizabeth moved away, and Ida never heard from her again. Ida vowed never to make another best friend. Ever. But that was before a strange new girl moved to town. Soon she was smiling right at Ida May. And Ida had to force herself not to smile back. Debut author Julie Bowe tells a charming story that will win the heart of any girl who’s faced her fear sideways.