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.

Bruiser

by Neal Shusterman

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Coming of Age, Marriage, Siblings, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Trauma & Abuse, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Religion & Spirituality

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman, first published in 2010, is a young adult novel. It explores the life of Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins, a high school student who has the ability to take pain away from those he cares about. Through his supernatural ability, the novel explores themes of Finding Emotional Balance, The Complications of Empathy, and The Dangers of Excessive Dependence on Others. Shusterman is the author of dozens of young adult novels, short stories, and works... Read Bruiser Summary

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe, James Howe

Publication year 1979

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Fear, Trust & Doubt

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Children`s Literature, Relationships

James and Deborah Howe’s 1979 children’s novel Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery is the first book in a series of seven. The novel was written by the husband-and-wife duo, but Deborah Howe died before their work was published. Bunnicula has been adapted for the stage and turned into various animated series.Plot SummaryBunnicula follows the Monroe family, which consists of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons Pete and Toby, Chester the cat, and Harold... Read Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery Summary

Bunny

by Mona Awad

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Loneliness, Art, Appearance & Reality, Mental Health

Tags Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Bunny Summary

Burn

by Peter Heller

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Memory, Regret, Death, Environment, Fathers, Friendship, Politics & Government, War, Safety & Danger

Tags Science Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Action & Adventure

... Read Burn Summary

Bye, Baby

by Carola Lovering

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Social Class, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Relationships, Psychological Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Bye, Baby Summary

Bystander

by James Preller

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Fear, Hate & Anger, Fathers, Loneliness, Family

Tags Bullying, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

Bystander (2011) is a teen/young adult novel by James Preller that explores middle school bullying and the factors that enable it. Griffin Connelly, a two-faced bully, uses his charisma and good looks to keep members of his school clique in line as he perpetrates acts of cruelty against weaker classmates. No one stands up to Griffin until Eric Hayes, a newcomer, disrupts the status quo—questioning Griffin’s bullying and the silent complicity of the other students.The... Read Bystander Summary

Cannery Row

by John Steinbeck

Publication year 1945

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, Place, Good & Evil, Truth & Lies, Beauty, Environment, Friendship

Tags American Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Anthropology, Animals, Social Class, Education, Philosophy, Poverty, Relationships, Science & Nature

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck was originally published in 1945. A Nobel Prize-winning writer, Steinbeck grew up in Salinas, California, which is near Monterey—the location of Cannery Row. Aside from a few years in Palo Alto, New York, and Los Angeles, Steinbeck spent most of his adult life living in Monterey County, and he drew on his personal experiences to write Cannery Row.Considered literary fiction or classic literature, Cannery Row is realistic and was written... Read Cannery Row Summary

Captain Underpants

by Dav Pilkey

Publication year 1997

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Friendship

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

Dav Pilkey’s graphic novel for children, The Adventures of Captain Underpants (1997), spawned a long list of sequels and adaptations in other media. The Captain Underpants series has won numerous awards, including the Garden State Children's Book Awards (Children's Fiction) 2000, the Buckeye Children's Book Award (Grades 3-5) 2001, and the Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Grades K-3) 2000.Plot SummaryThe story begins by introducing two best friends, George and Harold. They love to pull pranks... Read Captain Underpants Summary

Captive Prince

by C. S. Pacat

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Love & Sexuality, Romance

... Read Captive Prince Summary

Capture The Flag

by Kate Messner

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes The Past, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Teamwork, Social Class, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

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

... Read Capture The Flag Summary

Career of Evil

by Robert Galbraith

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Hate & Anger, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Death, The Past, Place, Friendship, Mothers, Equality, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

Career of Evil (2015) is the third novel in the Cormoran Strike detective series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling’s pseudonym). The story begins when Strike’s assistant, Robin Ellacott, receives a package containing a woman’s severed leg. The gruesome delivery sparks the investigative duo’s pursuit of a sadistic killer of women. As Strike and Robin investigate suspects from Strike’s troubled past, the story delves into themes of trauma, misogyny, and the lasting effects of violence. A... Read Career of Evil Summary

Carry On

by Rainbow Rowell

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fate, Power & Greed, Friendship, Loneliness

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Parody, LGBTQ+, Social Class, Education, Love & Sexuality, Science Fiction

Published in 2015, Rainbow Rowell’s young-adult fantasy novel Carry On: The Rise and Fall of Simon Snow is a spinoff of her young-adult novel Fangirl (2013) and the first book of the Simon Snow trilogy. Other works by this author include Slow Dance, Eleanor and Park, and Landline.Carry On, which was awarded a place on the Rainbow Project Book List in 2016, examines themes of love, power, and free will. Simon Snow is the Chosen... Read Carry On Summary

Catalyst

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

Catalyst, by YA author Laurie Halse Anderson, investigates the emotional and psychological profile of high-achieving high school students. These model adolescents excel in the classroom and athletics, often at the expense of their personal and emotional development. Catalyst was published in 2002 and shortlisted for numerous YA awards. It is part of Anderson’s series set in fictional Merryweather High School in Syracuse, New York. The novel introduces Kate Malone, a high school senior determined to... Read Catalyst Summary