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.

The Body in the Woods

by April Henry

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Friendship, Place, Safety & Danger, Teamwork, Mental Health, Fear, Trust & Doubt

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Poverty, Mental Illness, Trauma & Abuse, Social Class, Psychology, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Book of Joy

by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Joy, Gratitude, Forgiveness, Death, Friendship, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology, Inspirational, Psychology, Philosophy

In The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, co-authors Douglas Abrams, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu share their discussion on the nature of joy and the methods to achieve it in the face of adversity. Originally published in 2016, this work falls within the genre of spiritual and self-help literature. The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, and Archbishop Tutu, a leader in the fight against... Read The Book of Joy Summary

The Book of Three

by Lloyd Alexander

Publication year 1964

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction

Published in 1964, The Book of Three is a high-fantasy adventure novel for middle-grade readers. The first of five books in the series The Chronicles of Prydain, The Book of Three tells the story of Taran, a farm boy who treks with three companions across an ancient kingdom on a mission to inform its rulers of an impending attack by evil forces. The book won an ALA Notable Book award, and the series won a... Read The Book of Three Summary

The Boy in the Black Suit

by Jason Reynolds

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Friendship, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Love & Sexuality, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

Jason Reynolds’s 2015 young adult realistic contemporary novel, The Boy in the Black Suit, follows main character, Matt Miller, through several months of his senior year after the death of his mother. His grieving process is complicated by his father’s lengthy hospitalization after an accident, which leaves Matt to cope with his sadness alone. Matt discovers unexpected comfort, however, in his new job helping neighbor and funeral home director Mr. Ray. Matt meets Love, who... Read The Boy in the Black Suit Summary

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

by William Kamkwamba

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Science & Nature, Education, Education, Biography

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba is a memoir about the author’s struggle to build a windmill in his village in Malawi. Beyond that, it’s a story about hope and determination. The book opens with a prologue that shows William turning his windmill on for the first time. With this success in mind, the reader is then thrust into a world of superstition and government corruption that creates obstacles to such innovation... Read The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Summary

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

by John H. Ritter

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Teamwork, Wins & Losses, Friendship, Hope

Tags Realistic Fiction, Sports, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy

The Boy Who Saved Baseball is a highly acclaimed middle grade novel by Southern California author John Ritter. Among other recognitions, the book received the 2004 Paterson Prize for Children’s Literature, the Child Magazine Best Book of the Year Award, and the New York Library Best Book for the Teen Age Award. Of his half-dozen middle grade sports novels, this story most closely mirrors Ritter’s upbringing. It is set in a small California town near... Read The Boy Who Saved Baseball Summary

The Brooklyn Nine

by Alan Gratz

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Grandparents, Fathers, Mothers, Teamwork, Disability, Indigenous Identity, Gender Identity, Race, Immigration, Social Class, Community, Education, War, Nation, Self Discovery, Politics & Government, Place, Equality, Fate, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Truth & Lies, Aging, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, The Past, Midlife, Death

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Sports, Realistic Fiction, World History

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The Burning Bridge

by John Flanagan

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Loyalty & Betrayal, Friendship, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Death, Appearance & Reality, Teamwork, Self Discovery, War, Good & Evil, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure

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