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.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

by Ann Brashares

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Love

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a young adult (YA) bildungsroman published in 2001 by Ann Brashares. It is the first in the eponymous series of five best-selling novels, two of which were adapted into feature films. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants follow Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby, four teenage girls who share an inseparable bond and a pair of “magical” pants that fit each of them perfectly. During their first summer apart... Read Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Summary

Sister of My Heart

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Love, Grief, Femininity, Gender Identity, Family, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Immigration

Tags Historical Fiction, Indian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature

In the novel Sister of My Heart, the Indian-born American author and poet Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores issues of family, womanhood, and diasporic experience, constantly affirming and exploring the redemptive power of storytelling. Divakaruni’s first collection of stories, Arranged Marriage, won an American Book Award, a PEN Josephine Miles Award, and a Bay Area Book Reviewers Award. Her novel The Mistress of Spices was released as a film of the same name in 2005. Sister of My Heart was made into a television series... Read Sister of My Heart Summary

Skippy Dies

by Paul Murray

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Guilt, Childhood & Youth, Death, Friendship

Tags Irish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

Skippy Dies, published in 2010, is a tragicomic novel by Irish author Paul Murray. Murray originally wrote the novel as a short story before expanding it into a longform work of fiction, basing the Catholic boarding school where the book is set on the prestigious secondary school the author attended in Dublin.The novel was nominated for the longlists and shortlists of several distinguished awards, including the Booker Prize, the Irish Novel of the Year, and... Read Skippy Dies Summary

Sky Daddy

by Kate Folk

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Fear, Loneliness, Love, Nostalgia, Femininity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Objects & Materials, Friendship, Self Discovery, Fate, New Age, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags Literary Fiction, Contemporary Literature, Humor

Kate Folk’s 2025 novel, Sky Daddy, is a work of satirical literary fiction. The novel is narrated by Linda, a content moderator in San Francisco who harbors a secret and all-consuming desire: to achieve a spiritual marriage with an airplane by dying in a spectacular crash. The novel uses this surreal premise to explore themes of deep disconnection and The Alienating Nature of Modern Life.Folk is also the author of the acclaimed story collection Out... Read Sky Daddy Summary

Slay

by Brittney Morris

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Masculinity, Race, Coming of Age, Friendship, Self Discovery, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Science Fiction, Race & Racism, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Slay Summary

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

by David Lubar

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Appearance & Reality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Coming of Age, Bullying, Depression & Suicide, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

David Lubar’s young adult novel Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie (2005) was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 2006 and a BCCB Blue Ribbon Book. Lubar, a computer programmer-turned-author, has published many books for young readers, including Hidden Talents (1999) and the Weenies series.The story follows 14-year-old Scott Hudson as he navigates his first year of high school with both hilarious and tragic results. Lubar’s novel humorously addresses coming-of-age issues such as changing relationships... Read Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie Summary

Slider

by Pete Hautman

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Disability, Coming of Age, Friendship, Wins & Losses

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Food, Disability, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Slider Summary

Slob

by Ellen Potter

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Justice, Science & Technology, Equality, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Food, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Family, Siblings, Friendship, Mothers, Teamwork, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Community, Education

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Bullying, Grief & Death, Trauma & Abuse

... Read Slob Summary

Slow Dance

by Rainbow Rowell

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Nostalgia, Coming of Age, Midlife, The Past, Place, Friendship, Marriage

Tags Coming of Age, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Slow Dance Summary

Slugfest

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Regret, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Teamwork, Community, Truth & Lies

Tags Sports, Children`s Literature

... Read Slugfest Summary

Small Steps

by Peg Kehret

Publication year 1996

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Disability, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Self Discovery, Friendship

Tags Life-Inspired Fiction, Coming of Age, Health, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Biography

... Read Small Steps Summary

Snoop

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Trust & Doubt, Science & Technology, Coming of Age, Friendship, Community

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Children`s Literature

... Read Snoop Summary

Soldier X

by Don L. Wulffson

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Language, Race, Coming of Age, The Past, Friendship, War, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Military & War, World War II, Holocaust, Education, Education, World History

... Read Soldier X Summary

Some Desperate Glory

by Emily Tesh

Publication year 2023

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Revenge, Gender Identity, Language, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Space, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, LGBTQ+, Fantasy

... Read Some Desperate Glory Summary

Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby

by Donald Barthelme

Publication year 1973

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Justice, Friendship, Death

Tags Satirical Literature, Postmodernism, US History, Humor, Classic Fiction

“Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby” is a short story by American author Donald Barthelme. Originally published in a 1973 issue of The New Yorker, it was later included in Barthelme’s 1976 anthology, Amateurs. The narrative follows the extended and absurd deliberation of a group of friends about how to hang their friend for committing an unnamed offense. With the friends embodying a range of logistical roles and viewpoints concerning the act... Read Some of Us Had Been Threatening Our Friend Colby Summary

Someone Like You

by Sarah Dessen

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Coming of Age, Death, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Someone Like You is a 1998 young adult novel by Sarah Dessen. The novel follows 16-year-old Halley as she navigates the complexities and challenges of growing up. Halley’s best friend, Scarlett, discovers that she is pregnant after her boyfriend, Michael, dies in a motorcycle accident. Halley steps up to help her friend through this unexpected challenge. Halley also begins dating Michael’s best friend, Macon, and must decide whether she is ready to have sex with... Read Someone Like You Summary

Someone We Know

by Shari Lapena

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Good & Evil, Marriage, Mothers, Conflict, Revenge, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Family, Justice

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Parenting, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Someone We Know Summary

Something Blue

by Emily Giffin

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Love, Friendship, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Relationships

Emily Giffin’s 2005 novel, Something Blue, is a work of contemporary fiction and the sequel to her debut, Something Borrowed (2004). In Something Borrowed, Darcy, a beautiful and self-absorbed Manhattan public-relations executive, believes that her looks entitle her to a charmed existence, complete with a handsome lawyer fiancé, Dex. Just before her wedding, this world implodes when she discovers that Dex is having an affair with her best friend, Rachel, forcing Darcy—who is secretly pregnant... Read Something Blue Summary