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.

Big Red

by Jim Kjelgaard

Publication year 1945

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Animals, Place, Friendship

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

Jim Kjelgaard’s novel Big Red (1945) traces the adventures of protagonist Danny Pickett after he befriends a unique Irish setter named Red. Danny has lived at the edge of the Wintapi wilderness with his father, Ross Pickett, for as long as he can remember. Although he loves his father, their life together, and the surrounding woods, Danny longs for a friend. Danny is thrilled when Mr. Haggin, the Pickett’s property owner and boss, hires Danny... Read Big Red Summary

Blackouts

by Justin Torres

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Memory, Perseverance, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Friendship, Community

Tags LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

... Read Blackouts Summary

Bloom

by Kenneth Oppel

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Safety & Danger, Friendship, Plants

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Children`s Literature

... Read Bloom Summary

Blubber

by Judy Blume

Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

... Read Blubber Summary

Bluefish

by Pat Schmatz

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Apathy, Perseverance, Grief, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Self Discovery, Education, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Bluefish (2011) is a young adult novel by Pat Schmatz. This text is also sometimes classified as middle grade. The novel centers around Travis, an eighth grader who has lost his parents and dog and recently moved to a new school. Travis befriends Velveeta, a charismatic girl who is grieving the loss of her stand-in father figure, Calvin. As Travis and Velveeta’s friendship develops, they explore the challenges of coping with loss and family trauma... Read Bluefish Summary

Bob

by Wendy Mass, Rebecca Stead

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Conflict, Perseverance, Loneliness, Fear, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Love, Memory, Gratitude, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Climate, Environment, Food, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Literature, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction

... Read Bob Summary

Book Scavenger

by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Friendship

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Arts & Culture, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

Book Scavenger (2015) is the debut novel by children’s author Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Upon publication, it immediately became a New York Times bestseller and soon after the book was named an Amazon Book of the Year, Indie Top Ten Pick, and received more than 20 state awards and nominations. Book Scavenger has since been translated into 12 languages. Book Scavenger is the first volume in a Middle Grade Detective series of the same name. Other... Read Book Scavenger Summary

Born Behind Bars

by Padma Venkatraman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Nation, Social Class, Politics & Government, Community, Friendship, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Hope

Tags Realistic Fiction, Social Justice, Poverty, Indian Literature, Social Class, Politics & Government, Incarceration, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Born Behind Bars Summary

Born on a Blue Day

by Daniel Tammet

Publication year 2006

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Disability, Family, Friendship

Tags Disability, Psychology, LGBTQ+, Science & Nature, Psychology, Mental Illness, Biography

Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant is Daniel Tammet’s memoir and his first published book. In it, he recalls his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood leading up to the point in his life when he became independent with a partner and a career. Born on a Blue Day was a New York Times best seller following its publication in 2006.Tammet is, as identified in the subtitle, an autistic savant... Read Born on a Blue Day Summary

Born to Run

by Bruce Springsteen

Publication year 2016

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Joy, Memory, Love, Coming of Age, Midlife, Childhood & Youth, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Fate, Art, Fame, Justice, Music, Equality, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Music, Arts & Culture, Mental Illness, Social Justice, US History, Biography

... Read Born to Run Summary

Boy21

by Matthew Quick

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction

Boy21 by Matthew Quick (The Silver Linings Playbook; Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock) tells the story of Finley McManus, the only white student on his high school’s varsity basketball team. Finley narrates this piece of young adult fiction that deals with the violence and, tangentially, the racism prevalent within American society.The novel begins in Finley’s memory: he is learning how to play basketball as an escape from the trauma within his Bellmont community. He meets a... Read Boy21 Summary

Brain Damage

by Freida McFadden

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Memory, Shame & Pride, Disability, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Midlife, Appearance & Reality, Objects & Materials, Friendship, Marriage, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction

... Read Brain Damage Summary

Breaking Dawn

by Stephenie Meyer

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Family, Friendship, Community, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Romance

Breaking Dawn (2008) by Stephenie Meyer is the fourth and final novel of the best-selling Twilight book series. It is a young adult fantasy romance novel following the life of Bella Swan, a teenager who falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. The three prior novels explore Bella’s attempts to assimilate into the secret vampire world with Edward and his family, as well as the love triangle with her best friend, Jacob Black, whom... Read Breaking Dawn Summary