Julie Bowe is the author of the Friends for Keeps series and the Victoria Torres, Unfortunately Average series. Her first novel, My Last Best Friend, won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People and was a 2010 Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program book. Her newest middle-grade novel, Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd), is receiving a warm welcome from reviewers, including a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Pronunciation of Julie's Name

Jewel-ee Bow-vee

More About Julie

I grew up on a small farm in Luck, Wisconsin, the youngest of four kids and the only one to inherit my dad’s blue eyes, which has always made me feel extra-special. The house in which I grew up has been in our family since my great-grandparents built it when they immigrated to America from Denmark in 1880. My dad was even born there … right in the living room!

I attended a small public school in Luck. Although I did well with reading and art, I really struggled with math. In fifth grade I wrote an essay for a local contest. I won first prize (which was one dollar!) My essay was printed in our town’s newspaper. I was thrilled to be a published author!

After high school, I attended Luther College with plans to major in art and become a school teacher. Instead, I majored in Anthropology and became a youth worker. As a young adult, I worked at churches and camps in the Midwest, got married, and also attended Luther Seminary. After my daughter was born, I began my career as a freelance writer, working from home while taking care of her, and later, her brother.

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