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.

In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried

by Amy Hempel

Publication year 1983

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Death, Grief, Guilt

Tags Life-Inspired Fiction, Grief & Death

American author Amy Hempel wrote the minimalist short story “In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried” in 1983. The story is dedicated to Jessica Wolfson, Hempel’s friend who died of a terminal illness. Originally published in TriQuarterly, the story appeared in her first short story collection, Reasons to Live, in 1985.The story is written in the first-person point of view, with minimal detail provided about the narrator. The story is presumed to take place... Read In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried Summary

Intimacies

by Katie Kitamura

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Friendship, Self Discovery, Politics & Government, Art, Good & Evil, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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Into the Wild

by Erin Hunter

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Coming of Age, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Action & Adventure, Relationships, Leadership, Children`s Literature

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Invisible Emmie

by Terri Libenson

Publication year 2017

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Loneliness, Mental Health

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

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Ironwood

by Michael Connelly

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Love, Femininity, Indigenous Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Death, Future, Climate, Environment, Plants, Place, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Immigration, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Horror & Suspense

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It

by Stephen King

Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Childhood & Youth, Friendship

Tags Horror & Suspense, Religion & Spirituality, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Stephen King’s 1986 novel It is widely considered to be one of the most frightening stories ever written. The book’s cast of characters clash against a monster that can assume the form of their worst fears, in a town called Derry that is itself a source of evil. It examines themes of friendship, family, grief, fear, and memory.The novel jumps frequently between past and present, but the structure of the story told in It can... Read It Summary

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Friendship, Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Psychology, Psychology, Romance

It’s Kind of a Funny Story was Ned Vizzini’s second Young Adult novel, published by Hyperion in 2006. It is a critically acclaimed Young Adult novel and coming-of-age story that was given a starred review by the American Librarians Association and adapted into a film of the same name (2010).Other work by this author includes the novel, Be More Chill.Content Warning: This novel and study guide include topics and themes that may be sensitive for... Read It's Kind of a Funny Story Summary