I am incredibly excited to be able to feature my Author Mentor Match mentee’s debut novel, NOT THE WORST FRIEND IN THE WORLD about a girl who tries to help her new friend figure out if she’s been kidnapped! Some of you may remember me talking about co-mentoring for AMM with my good friend Megan E. Freeman and then I was doubly excited when we chose our mentee, Anne Rellihan.
Well, Anne’s book is releasing February of next year (with a new title), but it is now officially available for pre-order! I just had to help her spread the word and show you all the cover art, which she just revealed via her social media last week. This fabulous cover was illustrated by the incredibly talented Ramona Kaulitzki.
I can’t wait for everyone to have a chance to read this MG contemporary with an engrossing mystery. Obviously, I thought this book was fantastic or I wouldn’t have chosen Anne as a mentee—and by the time we finished our editing process, I was utterly and totally in love! I’m so excited to read the finished book! Check out the details …
Not the Worst Friend in the World by Anne Rellihan Published by Holiday House on February 6, 2024
Genres: Contemporary, Middle Grade, Mysteries
Pages: 272
Cover Artist: Ramona Kaulitzki
My rating:
Can Lou Bennett keep a secret? She’ll do just about anything to prove herself to her new friend—and the best friend she betrayed—in this debut novel that is a modern-day Harriet the Spy with high emotional stakes.
It’s the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Missouri, and eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could rewind time.
Lou wants to go back to the ninth day of sixth grade—the day before she fought with her best friend Francie and said the terrible, horrible things she can’t unsay. Or better yet, she would go back to fifth grade when Francie was still the Old Francie.
Then the new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes Lou a mysterious note. It says she was kidnapped. (!) If Lou can help Cece, maybe she can prove she’s not the world’s worst friend.
But as observant Lou uncovers the complicated truth about Cece’s family, she starts to panic. Can she help Cece without hurting her? Or will Lou end up losing another friend instead?
Anchored by an outstanding voice and a page-turning mystery, this remarkable debut novel honors the powerful middle school friendships that can both break and heal a tender eleven-year-old heart. Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and My Jasper June.
Pre-order Here:
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org, And More!
About the Author
Anne Rellihan is a writer and educator. She writes contemporary middle grade novels about friendship, family, and growing up set in the Midwest from her home in Leawood, Kansas. She is the author of Not the Worst Friend in the World (Holiday House, spring 2024). When she’s not writing, Anne can be found wrangling her four children, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or traveling to her favorite place, the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Cover Artist (Ramona Kaulitzkin) Links:
Because I’m so excited to get this book into my readers’ hands, I’m hosting a giveaway of a pre-order! Enter to win by following the instructions on the Rafflecopter below. US only. Sorry!
I saw this online (maybe your twitter or IG?) and loved the title. nice to learn more about it.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
There are so many layers to this novel that I can’t wait to read it. I enjoy mysteries and friendship stories and this premise sounds intriguing.
This one sounds really good! Love the cover too. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a good story, and I love the cover!