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My Best Frenemy

by Julie Bowe
234p. 978-0-80373-501-9.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3-5 Fourth-grader Ida May is precariously poised between wanting to be herself-an artist who follows the rules and loves her sock monkey-and wanting to be accepted by her more sophisticated peers who are into makeup and fashion. Then, a game of truth or dare causes her best friend to turn against her, and everything changes. It falls to frenemy Jenna to remind her that standing up for yourself is braver than going along with the crowd. Like Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"(Abrams), "My Best Frenemy"emphasizes the conflict between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to earn popularity. Written in descriptive language ("Her words were covered in prickles") that sets the scene and gives readers insight into Ida's confusion and growth, the story is realistic and well told.-"Wendy E. Dunn, Fort Worth Public Library, TX" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
The changing nature of elementary school friendships is explored via the girls in Ida May's fourth-grade class. After Jenna brings a truth or dare game into school, Ida May ends up on the outs with the gang. The secondary characters aren't particularly memorable, but readers may relate to Ida May's plight.

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