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.

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

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If I Ever Get Out of Here

by Eric Gansworth

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Music, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Arts & Culture, World History, Historical Fiction, Music

If I Ever Get Out of Here (2013), by Eric Gansworth—a member of Onondaga Nation and Haudenosaunee—is a young adult, contemporary fiction novel about a teenage boy, Lewis “Shoe” Blake. Lewis narrates his struggles fitting into life in junior high and navigating the cultural differences between his life on the reservation, which he refers to as “the rez,” and that of his white classmates.Other work by this author includes Apple: Skin to the Core.Plot SummaryThe... Read If I Ever Get Out of Here Summary

I Know What You Did Last Summer

by Lois Duncan

Publication year 1973

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Guilt, Family, Friendship, Fear

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Iraq War

Lois Duncan’s I Know What You Did Last Summer (1973) follows a group of teenagers in an American town as they deal with the ramifications of accidentally killing a young boy. The novel was adapted as a major motion picture in 1997. Its themes include guilt, selfishness, and revenge. The novel opens with protagonist Julie James nervously opening a letter. Subverting the reader’s expectations, Duncan makes the letter an acceptance letter from Smith College rather... Read I Know What You Did Last Summer Summary

In A Dark Dark Wood

by Ruth Ware

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

In a Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware, is a psychological mystery thriller published in 2015. The story centers around protagonist Leonora Shaw (known as “Nora” in the present day and formerly as “Lee” and “Leo”). The narrative alternates between scenes from the present, with Nora in the hospital after a car accident, and Nora’s spotty recollections of the weekend party that took place in the immediate past. Nora has a head wound and senses... Read In A Dark Dark Wood Summary