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.

Level 13

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Coming of Age, Friendship

Tags Children`s Literature, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

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Liar, Liar

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Conflict, Coming of Age, Family, Friendship

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

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Liar & Spy

by Rebecca Stead

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Mothers, Justice, Community, Self Discovery, Family

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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Lily and Dunkin

by Donna Gephart

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Friendship

Tags LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart was originally published in 2016. A coming-of-age novel set in contemporary America, the book tells the stories of two unique and inspiring teenagers who find themselves and each other. Lily and Dunkin was named one of NPR’s Best Kids’ Books of 2016, one of Amazon’s Top 20 Children’s Books of 2016, and one of YALSA’s picks for Best Fiction for Young Adults in 2017. This guide is based on... Read Lily and Dunkin Summary

Little Brother

by Cory Doctorow

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Science & Technology, Politics & Government, Coming of Age, Love, Friendship, Power & Greed, Shame & Pride, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Leadership, Politics & Government, Science & Nature

Little Brother, a dystopian young adult novel written by Cory Doctorow, was published by Tor Teen books in 2008. The book debuted at number nine on The New York Times Bestseller list and was a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2009. Little Brother also won the 2009 White Pine Award, Prometheus Award, and John W. Campbell Memorial Award. The story takes place in the near future and chronicles the efforts of... Read Little Brother Summary

Little Men

by Louisa May Alcott

Publication year 1871

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Education, Friendship, Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Joy, Love, Femininity, Masculinity, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Environment, Place, Mothers, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature

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Little Princes

by Conor Grennan

Publication year 2011

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes War, Guilt, Family, Friendship, Teamwork

Tags Travel Literature, Inspirational, Trauma & Abuse, Military & War, Love & Sexuality, Social Justice, Biography

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Lizzie Bright And The Buckminster Boy

by Gary D. Schmidt

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Grief, Race, Coming of Age, Friendship, Equality, Economics, Justice, Religion & Spirituality, Community, Power & Greed, Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Hate & Anger

Tags Historical Fiction, American Literature, Grief & Death, Race & Racism, Religion & Spirituality, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History

Gary D. Schmidt’s Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2004), an historical novel for young adults, received the Newbery Honor in 2005. It is based on actual events occurring on Malaga Island, Maine in 1912, when the government of Maine placed the residents of the island in a mental hospital and tore down their homes.Turner Buckminster is the son of a reverend living in Phippsburg, Maine in 1912. Turner has just relocated to Phippsburg from... Read Lizzie Bright And The Buckminster Boy Summary

Locomotion

by Jacqueline Woodson

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Family, Race, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Grief, Hope, Memory, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Beauty, Literature, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, African American Literature, Children`s Literature, Arts & Culture

Locomotion, Jacqueline Woodson’s 2003 novel in verse, follows the perspective of Lonnie Collins Motion, nicknamed Locomotion. After his parents die in a fire and his sister is adopted, Lonnie grieves and navigates life, first in a group home and then with Miss Edna, his foster mother. Through poetry, he slowly finds joy in life again, highlighting the themes of The Search for Identity and Belonging, The Healing Power of Writing, and The Enduring Support of... Read Locomotion Summary

Lonesome Dove

by Larry Mcmurtry

Publication year 1985

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Place, Masculinity, Gender Identity

Tags Western, Historical Fiction, American Literature, World History, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction

Lonesome Dove is a 1985 novel by American author Larry McMurtry. Chronologically, it is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series, although it was published before its two prequels, Dead Man’s Walk (1995) and Comanche Moon (1997). One of the most celebrated novels in the Western genre, Lonesome Dove tells the story of former Texas Rangers Augustus (Gus) McRae and Woodrow Call (Call) as they take a herd of cattle on an ill-fated drive... Read Lonesome Dove Summary

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks

by Jason Reynolds

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Coming of Age, Family

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

A National Book Award finalist, Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks (2019) by Jason Reynolds chronicles 10 stories of adolescents attending Latimer Middle School. The stories take place within 10 blocks of the school as each character journeys homeward at the end of the school day. Look Both Ways follows the lauded Ghost and Long Way Down, both of which explore the experiences of Black young adults in America. In Look Both... Read Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks Summary

Lost In The Barrens

by Farley Mowat

Publication year 1956

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Environment, Friendship

Tags Action & Adventure, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction

Lost in the Barrens is a 1956 middle grade novel based loosely on the lived experiences of author Farley Mowat. Mowat’s experiences in the remote wilderness of northern Canada inspired an adult version of the saga, People of the Deer (1952), and the children’s adaptation. He is known for blending survival narratives with intricate details about the Canadian northern wilderness. Mowat is best known for Never Cry Wolf (1963), which Disney adapted for film in... Read Lost In The Barrens Summary

Lost in the Sun

by Lisa Graff

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Forgiveness, Guilt, Community

Tags Children`s Literature, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Sports

Lost in the Sun by middle grade author Lisa Graff follows the story of Trent Zimmerman, who feels responsible for the accidental death of a hockey teammate. Trent grapples with issues of self-loathing, guilt, and rage as he begins his journey of healing through friendship. This 2015 middle grade novel is Graff’s eighth full-length children’s book and was chosen for Amazon’s 2015 Best Book list. Other works by Graff include A Tangle of Knots, Absolutely... Read Lost in the Sun Summary

Lost Roses

by Martha Hall Kelly

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Mothers, Social Class, War

Tags Historical Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Poverty, World War I, Russian Literature, World War II, Military & War, World History

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Loveless

by Alice Oseman

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Love, Sexual Identity, Community, Friendship, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity

Tags Romance, Coming of Age, LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction

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