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.

Unfriended

by Rachel Vail

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Conflict, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Disability, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Technology

Rachel Vail is the author of the middle grade novel Unfriended (2014). Vail has published several books for young readers and children, including Wonder (1991) and The Friendship Ring series (2014). As with Unfriended, her stories focus on young people confronting the fraught dynamics of friendships and school. In Unfriended, 13-year-old Truly leaves her best friend for the popular crowd and is beset by conflicts online and in the physical world. The story of Truly... Read Unfriended Summary

Unlikely Animals

by Annie Hartnett

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Community, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Memory, Mental Health, Death, The Past, Animals, Environment, Fathers, Siblings

Tags Magical Realism, Humor, Animals, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy

... Read Unlikely Animals Summary

Unplugged

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Animals, Loneliness

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Unplugged Summary

Valentine

by Elizabeth Wetmore

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Revenge, Love, Mothers, Family, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Fear, Justice, Equality, Good & Evil, Marriage, Truth & Lies, Perseverance, Conflict, Loneliness, Hope, Gratitude

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Coming of Age, Relationships, Race & Racism, Trauma & Abuse, Love & Sexuality, Social Justice, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

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Vampire Academy

by Richelle Mead

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

Written in 2007 by Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy is the first of six novels in the Vampire Academy series, which follows the coming-of-age journey of Rosemarie “Rose” Hathaway, a dhampir (half vampire) who is training to become a guardian for her best friend, Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir. Lissa is a royal Moroi (or full vampire) with mysterious powers. The novel addresses themes of friendship, forbidden romance, and personal responsibility within a school setting. In 2014, Vampire... Read Vampire Academy Summary

Varjak Paw

by S. F. Said

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Animals, Friendship, Self Discovery, Loyalty & Betrayal

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

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Vietgone

by Qui Nguyen

Publication year 2015

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Love, Memory, Regret, Language, Race, Future, The Past, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Immigration, Nation, War, Fate, Justice, Music, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Comedy & Satire, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Humor

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Waiting on the Moon

by Peter Wolf

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Love, Fame, Aging, Conflict, Fear, Gratitude, Hope, Family, Friendship, Marriage, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Art, Beauty, Loyalty & Betrayal, Music, Order & Chaos

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Music, Grief & Death

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Wait Till Helen Comes

by Mary Downing Hahn

Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Family, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Grief & Death, Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

Mary Downing Hahn’s eerie middle grade novel Wait Till Helen Comes (1986) is a ghost story that explores themes of family, friendship, and the emotional toll of death and guilt. Wait Till Helen Comes received a starred review from Booklist and was awarded the Texas Bluebonnet Award in 1989. The novel was also adapted into a Lifetime movie titled Little Girl’s Secret (2016), with Hahn making a cameo appearance in the film as the town... Read Wait Till Helen Comes Summary

War Brothers

by Sharon McKay

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Fear, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, War, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Military & War, Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Realistic Fiction, World History

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Ward D

by Freida McFadden

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Fear, Truth & Lies, Guilt, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Friendship

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Mental Illness

... Read Ward D Summary

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

Publication year 1982

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Friendship, Fear, Loneliness, Death, Coming of Age

Tags Military & War, Historical Fiction, Animals, Social Class, Children`s Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

War Horse is a children’s historical fiction novel by Michael Morpurgo. The book was first published in Great Britain in 1982 by Kaye & Ward and was a runner-up for the Whitbread Book Award in the same year. The book is told from the point of view of a young horse named Joey and chronicles his journey and the relationships he builds with his various owners during World War I. The beloved novel is a... Read War Horse Summary

Water for Elephants

by Sara Gruen

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Love, Perseverance, Loneliness, Hope, Aging, Disability, Animals, Social Class, Friendship, Fathers, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Great Depression, Mental Illness, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

Water for Elephants, a New York Times bestseller and author Sara Gruen’s third novel, was published in 2006 by Algonquin. The novel was adapted into a full-length film in 2011 starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattison.Gruen often features animals in her novels, and Water for Elephants is no exception, as she follows two lovers in a forbidden relationship set against the backdrop of a circus and its eclectic mix of characters and exotic animals. The... Read Water for Elephants Summary

Water Moon

by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Hope, Joy, Love, Memory, Regret, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Fate, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Fantasy, Romance

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Ways to Make Sunshine

by Renée Watson

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Siblings, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Childhood & Youth, Love, Food, Equality, Fathers, Perseverance, Conflict, Grandparents

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, African American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Ways to Make Sunshine Summary