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 Story of Doctor Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting

Publication year 1920

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Environment, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Animals, Action & Adventure

The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting is a classic children’s book first published in 1920. Lofting, an English author and former civil engineer, crafted his tale of an eccentric doctor who learns to talk to animals by drawing on his experiences in the British Empire during World War I. Lofting’s story, which began as letters home to his children to escape the harsh wartime realities, belongs to the fantasy genre and has captivated... Read The Story of Doctor Dolittle Summary

The Story of the Lost Child

by Elena Ferrante

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Femininity, Literature

Tags Historical Fiction, Italian Literature, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Modern Classic Fiction

The Story of the Lost Child by Elena Ferrante is the fourth and final book in the Neapolitan Novel quartet, which documents the lives and friendship of Elena Greco and Lila Cerullo. The book appeared in Italian in 2014 and was translated into English by Ann Goldstein in 2015. In 2016, it made the International Booker Prize Longlist. The quartet has achieved worldwide renown, causing the pseudonymous author to become a household name. In her... Read The Story of the Lost Child Summary

The Storyteller's Secret

by Sejal Badani

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Social Class, Friendship, Community, Literature, Mothers, Love, Marriage

Tags Realistic Fiction, Indian Literature, Asian History, Gender & Feminism, Relationships, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction, Romance, Arts & Culture

... Read The Storyteller's Secret Summary

The Sunbearer Trials

by Aiden Thomas

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Hope, Loneliness, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Animals, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Mythology

... Read The Sunbearer Trials Summary

The Sword of Summer

by Rick Riordan

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Disability, Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Children`s Literature

The Sword of Summer (2015) is the first book in Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard modern fantasy series for young readers. The book takes place in the same universe as Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (2005-2009) and is followed by The Hammer of Thor. The Sword of Summer won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Middle Grade and Children’s (2015) and has appeared on both the New York Times... Read The Sword of Summer Summary

The Talented Mr. Ripley

by Patricia Highsmith

Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Good & Evil, Friendship

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Italian Literature, Classic Fiction

The Talented Mr. Ripley, written by Patricia Highsmith, was originally published in 1955 by W. W. Norton & Company. The novel falls within the psychological thriller genre and is the first of five books featuring Tom Ripley, known as The Ripleiad, published between 1955 and 1991. The novel has been adapted twice into film, first in 1960 as a French film titled Purple Noon and again in 1991 under its original title. The 1991 film... Read The Talented Mr. Ripley Summary

The Talisman

by Stephen King, Peter Straub

Publication year 1984

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Memory, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Fate, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Mothers, Death, The Past, Future, Appearance & Reality, Animals, Space, War, Family

Tags Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Action & Adventure

The Talisman is a 1984 novel co-written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It is a fantasy novel with horror elements and has connections to the works in King’s Dark Tower series. The Talisman is a road trip book that tells the story of Jack Sawyer and his quest to save his mother. The Talisman examines themes of lost innocence, coming of age, friendship, the corrupting nature of power, and more.The Talisman has a sequel... Read The Talisman Summary

The Tennis Partner

by Abraham Verghese

Publication year 1998

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Friendship, Mental Health, Grief, Loneliness

Tags Health, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Sports, Mental Illness, Biography

The Tennis Partner: A Story of Friendship and Loss (1998) is a memoir by physician Abraham Verghese. It follows his friendship with David Smith, a medical student recovering from drug addiction, and the regular games of tennis that lie at the heart of their relationship. The book explores the themes The Disease of Addiction, The Power of Ritual, and Navigating Loneliness and Conflict in Relationships.Verghese is a physician, professor, and best-selling author. His first book... Read The Tennis Partner Summary

The Tequila Worm

by Viola Canales

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Education, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Poverty, Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Arts & Culture

The Tequila Worm, published in 2005 by Random House, (first edition) is a middle grade novel about a young Mexican American girl, Sofia, who comes from a family of storytellers. The tales Sofia hears strengthen her ties to her family and their traditions in the Texas barrio where they live. Though poor, the family does not struggle, finding riches in the practice of making Easter cascarones, (colored eggs) celebrating Dia de los Muertos, (Day of... Read The Tequila Worm Summary

The Terrible Two

by Mac Barnett, Jory John

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Conflict, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Perseverance, Revenge, Forgiveness, Teamwork, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Wins & Losses, Family, Appearance & Reality, Animals, Hate & Anger, Childhood & Youth, Education

Tags Action & Adventure, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education

... Read The Terrible Two Summary