The last day Julian was my best friend

In this suspenseful friendship narrative, Jensen Shaffer examines what happens when one companion betrays the trust of another. Anthony, portrayed with pale skin, begins by remembering the day that Julian, shown with brown skin, shared the beautiful marble Julian's grandfather gave him--his "best present ever," which they play with all spring. Then the treasure somehow goes missing. Repeatedly calling an idyllic day the friends spend together "the last day Julian was my best friend," Anthony describes a pancake breakfast, a beach outing, and a campout. That night, when Julian says, "You're my best friend," Anthony hands over the marble with an apology, and even then, Julian believes the best: "My marble! You found it!" When realization dawns, Anthony's confession both ends the agony of unsaid words and leads to a surprising resolution. Breezy digital slice-of-life illustrations by Lew-Vriethoff depict expressive faces and summery landscapes. Ages 5--8. (June)

Is Anthony and Julian's friendship doomed? When Julian excitedly shows off the marble he received for his birthday, Anthony is impressed. The children play with it each day that spring--until the marble goes missing. The next day--which Anthony describes as "the last day Julian was my best friend"--things proceed normally. The kids awaken before sunrise, prepare breakfast, bike to the beach, and build sand castles; Julian says that he'd have put his marble on top of the castle, if he still had it. That evening, as the two camp out, Anthony feels guilty about a misdeed. Turns out, the marble isn't lost; Anthony took it but is afraid to confess. When Julian calls Anthony his best friend, Anthony decides to own up and give back the marble. Julian's thrilled that Anthony "found" it. Anthony thinks that Julian doesn't understand that Anthony took it, but Julian's glance at his friend's remorseful face settles that. Another surprise awaits. Julian wholly forgives Anthony: "You gave it back. You'll always be my best friend." Readers will be pleased by the satisfying conclusion to this heartwarming story and will root for the children's continuing friendship. The tale delivers an important message about forgiveness and the importance of taking responsibility for wrongdoings, though it's not entirely credible that a child would so easily display this much forbearance. The loose, digital illustrations are appealing. Red-haired Anthony presents white; Julian is brown-haired and brown-skinned. A touching exploration of the complicated dynamics of friendship. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.