Friendship
The solace and comfort of true friendship — and the pain of its loss — can rival any romantic or familial relationship. In this collection, we present texts that examine the unique qualities and costs of deep friendships.
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Conflict, Hate & Anger, Memory, Language, Mental Health, Coming of Age, The Past, Food, Family, Friendship, Grandparents, Immigration, War, Justice
Tags Children`s Literature, Military & War, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Korean War
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Love, Revenge, Femininity, Midlife, Future, Friendship, Marriage, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Equality, Fate, Justice
Tags Historical Fiction, US History, Gender & Feminism, World History
Publication year 2003
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Family, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Teamwork, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt
Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Animals
Publication year 2008
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Trust & Doubt, Appearance & Reality, Friendship
Tags Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature, Historical Fiction, Romance
Firefly Lane is a 2008 young adult novel by the New York Times best-selling American author Kristin Hannah. She has written more than 20 novels including The Nightingale, The Great Alone, and The Women. Firefly Lane begins in 1974 and tells the story of two women whose 30-year friendship becomes the stabilizing force in their lives.Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss rape, drug addiction, and alcohol addiction.Plot SummaryFirefly Lane tells the story... Read Firefly Lane Summary
Publication year 2006
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Friendship
Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Seventh grade loner Tom Bender’s life is changed by his friendship with Jessica, a severely disfigured burn survivor in Tony Abbott’s moving contemporary middle grade novel, Firegirl (2006). Shy and empathetic, Tom gradually overcomes his fear of Jessica and gets to know his new classmate, causing a rift between Tom and his friend, Jeff. While Jeff spreads malicious talk about Jessica, Tom sees past Jessica’s exterior to the person inside. Abbott sensitively explores themes of... Read Firegirl Summary
Publication year 2015
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Friendship, Gender Identity, Disability
Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Disability, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Fish in a Tree is a 2015 middle-grade novel by American author Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Shouting at the Rain, One for the Murphys). It follows the story of a middle-school girl named Ally, who is artistically and mathematically talented but unable to read due to her dyslexia. Throughout Ally’s school career, she uses humor, misbehavior, and feigned sickness to distract from her learning difficulty, doing everything in her power to avoid writing and reading tasks... Read Fish in a Tree Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Art, Equality, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt
Tags Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+, Children`s Literature
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Fear, Loneliness, Disability, Friendship, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger
Tags Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Family, Friendship
Tags Humor, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Animals
Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures is a middle-grade magical realism novel written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K. G. Campbell, and originally published in 2013. DiCamillo is a renowned middle-grade author who also wrote Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, among other books. Flora and Ulysses was the recipient of the John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children in 2014. It was also adapted into a... Read Flora And Ulysses Summary
Publication year 1975
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Grandparents, Mothers, Fathers, Sexual Identity, Self Discovery, Friendship
Tags Romance, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Love, Grief, Forgiveness, Family, Friendship, Community
Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Dramatic Literature
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction
Themes Mental Health, Friendship, Childhood & Youth
Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Future, Mental Health, Friendship, Good & Evil
Tags Depression & Suicide, Trauma & Abuse, Diversity, Realism, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness
The young adult novel Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock depicts the day 18-year-old Leonard Peacock plans to carry out a murder-suicide. Author Matthew Quick wrote this and other popular titles, including Silver Linings Playbook, adapted into the Oscar-winning film. This guide refers to the 2013 hardback first edition from Little, Brown and Company.Plot SummaryNarrator and protagonist Leonard Peacock sits alone in his home the morning of his birthday. Later that day, he plans to kill himself... Read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock Summary
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Coming of Age, Future, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Teamwork, Fame, Wins & Losses
Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure
Publication year 2023
Genre Graphic Memoir , Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Childhood & Youth, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies
Tags Coming of Age, Bullying
Publication year 2025
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Perseverance, Revenge, Friendship, Teamwork, Social Class, War
Publication year 1992
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Childhood & Youth, Friendship, Coming of Age, Family, Self Discovery
Tags Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor
Publication year 2010
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Perseverance, Friendship, Justice
Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Animals
Publication year 2016
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Justice, Safety & Danger
Tags Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Race, Immigration, Self Discovery, Truth & Lies, Friendship, Family, Love, Coming of Age
Tags Coming of Age, Romance, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Frankly in Love is a coming-of-age novel written by David Yoon and published in 2019 by Penguin Young Readers, Putnam. The story revolves around Frank Li, a Korean American teenager torn between his American identity and the traditional expectations of his Korean parents. With its engaging storyline and exploration of cultural identity, Frankly in Love tackles themes of love, family expectations, and self-discovery. David Yoon’s writing skillfully portrays the complexities of Frank’s experiences as he... Read Frankly in Love Summary