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.

Home of the Brave

by Katherine Applegate

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Coming of Age

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Historical Fiction, Arts & Culture

Home of the Brave is a 2008 juvenile novel by Katherine Applegate that is written entirely in free verse. The story revolves around the protagonist, a young boy named Kek, who has fled from violence and upheaval in his native Sudan and traveled alone to the United States. Kek’s father and older brother were killed in an attack on their camp, and Kek was forced to leave his mother behind to save his own life... Read Home of the Brave Summary

How To Eat Fried Worms

by Thomas Rockwell

Publication year 1973

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Friendship, Childhood & Youth

Tags Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

In the novel How to Eat Fried Worms, a boy accepts a $50 bet from a friend to eat 15 worms in 15 days, but as he nears victory, he faces a flurry of nasty tricks and traps that go wildly out of control. Written by Thomas Rockwell, son of the famous American illustrator Norman Rockwell, and published in 1973, the book sold over three million copies, won several awards, was a target of censors... Read How To Eat Fried Worms Summary

How to Menopause

by Tamsen Fadal

Publication year 2025

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Femininity, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Aging, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Equality

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How to Win Friends and Influence People

by Dale Carnegie

Publication year 1998

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Friendship, Teamwork, Power & Greed, Language

Tags Business & Economics, Relationships, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Classic Fiction

First published in 1936, Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People launched the American self-help industry, sold over 30 million copies, and became a template for the thousands of self-improvement books that followed. It asserts that success with others depends on listening, showing appreciation, and empathizing with them. The book was revised in 1981; the 2020 eBook re-issue of that edition is the basis for this study guide.The book is divided into... Read How to Win Friends and Influence People Summary

Hum If You Don't Know the Words

by Bianca Marais

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Revenge, Race, Coming of Age, Death, Future, The Past, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, Arts & Culture, Historical Fiction, Race & Racism

... Read Hum If You Don't Know the Words Summary

Hummingbird

by Natalie Lloyd

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Disability, Family, Friendship, Perseverance, Hope, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Health, Disability

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I Am David

by Anne Holm

Publication year 1963

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Beauty, Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance

Tags Historical Fiction, European History, World War II, Action & Adventure, Religion & Spirituality, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Military & War, World History, Classic Fiction

I Am David by Anne Holm is a children’s historical fiction novel written in 1963. It was originally written in Danish but has since been translated into many languages, including English, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German, Dutch, Afrikaans, French, and Konkani. It was first published in the United States under the name North to Freedom but eventually was retranslated into its original title. It was made into a movie in 2003. The novel received several awards... Read I Am David Summary

I Am Number Four

by Pittacus Lore

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Memory, Good & Evil

Tags Science Fiction, Relationships, Science & Nature, Social Class, Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure, Religion & Spirituality

I Am Number Four (2010) is the first book in the modern young adult science fiction series Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore, the pseudonym of authors James Frey and Jobie Hughes. Despite the novel’s mixed reviews, I Am Number Four spent seven successive weeks at the top of the New York Times children’s bestseller list. The novel was adapted into a film of the same name in 2011 by DreamWorks Pictures.Other works by this author... Read I Am Number Four Summary

Iceberg

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hope, Childhood & Youth, Future, Appearance & Reality, Objects & Materials, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags World History, Action & Adventure, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction

... Read Iceberg Summary