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.

Forever...

by Judy Blume

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

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Forget Me Not

by Ellie Terry

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

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Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock

by Matthew Quick

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

Foul Trouble

by John Feinstein

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

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Four Eyes

by Rex Ogle

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

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Framed

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Friendship, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Animals

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Framed!

by James Ponti

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

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Frankly in Love

by David Yoon

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

Freak the Mighty

by Rodman Philbrick

Publication year 1993

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Disability, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Freak the Mighty tells the story of two boys—a slow-learning giant and a genius in a disabled body—who become friends, share adventures, and defend themselves against bullies and social rejection. Published in 1993, Freak the Mighty sold two million copies in nine languages, received multiple awards, and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film, The Mighty, starring Sharon Stone, Kieran Culkin, Gillian Anderson, and Harry Dean Stanton. Max’s adventures continue in a sequel called Max... Read Freak the Mighty Summary

Freedom

by Jonathan Franzen

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Love, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Parenting, US History, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionFreedom is a 2010 novel by American author Jonathan Franzen. The story focuses on the Berglunds, a dysfunctional family living in Minnesota. The novel examines themes of family, freedom, depression, addiction, marriage, and more. Freedom was a selection for Oprah’s book club and won great critical acclaim.Content warning: This guide contains references to alcohol addiction and rape, which are discussed in the source text. Plot Summary The book unfolds across four parts. Part 1, “Good... Read Freedom Summary

Freewater

by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Community, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger, Friendship, Family, Perseverance

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, African American Literature, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, World History

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Friday Night Lights

by Buzz Bissinger

Publication year 1990

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Teamwork, Community, Friendship, Fathers

Tags Sports, Creative Nonfiction, Race & Racism, Sociology, Journalism, World History, Biography

Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream is a 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger that explores the American phenomenon of high school football in the small Texan town of Odessa. Friday Night Lights is a New York Times bestseller and inspired a television show and film of the same name. Bissinger, who left his job as a journalist and editor to write the book, moved his family to Odessa for... Read Friday Night Lights Summary

Full Measures

by Rebecca Yarros

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Love, Memory, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Death, Future, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Community, War, Fate, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

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Full of Beans

by Jennifer L. Holm

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Friendship, Family, Truth & Lies, Guilt, Community

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History, Humor, Historical Fiction, Great Depression

Jennifer L. Holm’s Full of Beans is a 2016 middle-grade historical novel set in 1934. Main character and first-person protagonist Beans Curry is a 10-year-old boy born and raised in Key West, Florida. The Great Depression causes difficulties for the locals of the dilapidated town, including Beans’s family. “New Dealer” Mr. Julius Stone, Jr. arrives with the plan to boost Key West’s failing economy by recreating it as a tourist destination, but Beans decides that... Read Full of Beans Summary