30 Friendship Books
30 Friendship Books
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Friendship, like a delicate thread woven into the fabric of our lives, is a powerful and transformative force. It's a connection that transcends time and space, bringing joy, support, and understanding to our journeys. In a world that often feels fast-paced and demanding, the significance of genuine friendships cannot be overstated. As I reflect on the beauty of these connections, I am reminded of the wealth of wisdom and inspiration that can be found in stories about friendship. Today, I invite you to embark on a journey with me as we explore the profound impact that tales of camaraderie can have on our lives.
The Power of Friendship Stories:
Stories have the remarkable ability to touch our hearts, evoke empathy, and inspire change. When it comes to friendships, literature has gifted us with countless narratives that explore the nuances of these relationships. From the unbreakable bonds of childhood friends to the resilience of companionship in the face of adversity, these stories teach us valuable lessons about loyalty, trust, and the importance of being there for one another.
Learning About Different Kinds of Friendships:
Just as every person is unique, so too are the friendships that enrich our lives. There are friendships forged in the fires of shared experiences, while others blossom in the quiet moments of understanding. Exploring the various types of friendships through literature allows us to appreciate the diversity and complexity of human connections. Whether it's the steadfastness of a lifelong good friend or the unexpected companionship that blooms in the unlikeliest of places, these stories broaden our understanding of what it means to be a true friend.
Navigating Through the Struggles:
Friendships, like any relationship, are not without their challenges. From misunderstandings to distance and evolving life circumstances, friends often face hurdles that test the strength of their bonds. Fortunately, literature offers a roadmap for navigating through these struggles. Through the characters we meet in books, we learn about the art of communication, forgiveness, and the resilience required to weather the storms that inevitably come our way.
A Round-Up of 30 Friendship Books:
To further immerse yourself in the world of friendship, I've curated a round-up of 30 must-read favorite books that celebrate the beauty, complexity, and enduring power of these connections. Whether you're in the mood for heartwarming tales of lifelong friendships or stories that explore the dynamics of diverse relationships, this list has something for everyone. Grab a cup of tea, find a cozy nook, and allow these books to take you on a journey through the tapestry of friendship. You might even want to read aloud with your bestie!
As we delve into the pages of these friendship stories, let's take a moment to reflect on the profound impact our own friends have had on our lives. Let's cherish the shared laughter, the late-night conversations, and the unwavering support that defines the bonds we hold dear. In celebrating the stories of friendship, we not only honor the characters on the pages but also the cherished connections that make our own lives richer and more meaningful.
Children's Books about Friendship:
"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White - A classic tale of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte.
"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak - Follow Max's adventures with the Wild Things, highlighting the importance of understanding and empathy.
"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein - A touching story about the enduring friendship between a boy and a generous tree.
"Frog and Toad Are Friends" by Arnold Lobel - A delightful early reader series capturing the adventures of two best friends, Frog and Toad.
"The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister - A beautifully illustrated story about sharing and the true meaning of friendship.
"Winnie-the-Pooh" by A.A. Milne - Join Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood for heartwarming adventures.
"The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter - A timeless story about the mischievous Peter Rabbit and his friends.
"The Berenstain Bears Series" by Stan and Jan Berenstain - A collection of books that teach valuable lessons about friendship and family.
"Corduroy" by Don Freeman - Follow the adventures of a small bear named Corduroy in his quest for a forever friend.
"Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña - A story that emphasizes the beauty of friendship and community.
Charlotte's Web
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. It contains illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White's Stuart Little and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, among many other books.
Whether enjoyed in the classroom or for homeschooling or independent reading, Charlotte's Web is a proven favorite.
Where the Wild Things Are
This iconic, award winning story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with him. But then from far away across the world, Max smells good things to eat...
Let the wild rumpus continue as this classic comes to life like never before with new reproductions of Maurice Sendak's artwork. Astonishing state-of-the-art technology faithfully captures the color and detail of the original illustrations. Sendak himself enthusiastically endorsed this impressive new interpretation of his art.
Mary Pols of Time magazine wrote that "what makes Sendak's book so compelling is its grounding effect: Max has a tantrum and in a flight of fancy visits his wild side, but he is pulled back by a belief in parental love to a supper 'still hot." Generations have shared this beautiful picture book, and children of all ages will want to return to it again and again.
The Giving Tree
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation.
The Giving Tree Frog and Toad Are Friends
From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be.
The Rainbow Fish
The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He overcomes his pride and begins to distribute his glitter scales to the other fish.
Winner of multiple book awards, including:
A CHRISTOPHER AWARD WINNER
WINNER OF THE BOLOGNA BOOK FAIR CRITICI IN ERBA PRIZE
AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ABBY AWARD WINNER
AN IRA-CBC CHILDREN'S CHOICE
#1 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER and WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
Winnie-the-Pooh
For close to a hundred years, Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends—Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore—have flourished as the inspired creations of A.A. Milne. While Mr. Milne originally wrote this book for his son, Christopher Robin, and Ernest H. Shepard lovingly gave Pooh and his companions form through delightful illustrations, the book soon spread through the world like wildfire.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is the original classic by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit was first published by Frederick Warne in 1902 and endures as Beatrix Potter's most popular and well-loved tale. It tells the story of a very mischievous rabbit and the trouble he encounters in Mr McGregor's vegetable garden!
The Berenstain Bears Series
Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. A new cub, Lizzie, has moved to town and Sister can’t wait to become her friend. But when bossiness enters the mix, Sister and Lizzie’s new friendship might be in trouble.
Corduroy
2018 marks Corduroy’s 50th anniversary, and Don Freeman’s classic character is even more popular today than he was when he first came on the scene. Now his original story is available in an unabridged, sturdy board book format, perfect for even the youngest readers.
Last Stop on Market Street
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
Young Adults Books about Friendship:
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky - A coming-of-age story that explores the bonds of friendship and the challenges of adolescence.
"Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell - A heartwarming tale of two misfit teenagers finding solace and friendship in each other.
"Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz - An exploration of friendship, identity, and self-discovery.
"To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han - Follow Lara Jean Covey's journey through love, family, and the importance of friendship.
"The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green - A poignant story about love and friendship in the face of illness.
"Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo - A gripping fantasy novel that follows a diverse group of characters bound by friendship and a daring heist.
"We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart - A suspenseful novel that explores the complexities of friendship, family, and secrets.
"Wonder" by R.J. Palacio - A heartwarming story about a boy with facial differences navigating the challenges of school and friendship.
"Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli - A delightful coming-out story that emphasizes the power of friendship and acceptance.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" by Ann Brashares - Follow the adventures of four friends and the magical pair of jeans that connects them.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky, Perks follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.
Eleanor & Park
Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.
So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.
I'm not kidding, he says.
You should be, she says, we're 16.
What about Romeo and Juliet?
Shallow, confused, then dead.
I love you, Park says.
Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.
I'm not kidding, he says.
You should be.
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits-smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love-and just how hard it pulled you under.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
The Fault in Our Stars
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
Six of Crows
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price―and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . .
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction―if they don't kill each other first.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo returns to the breathtaking world of the Grishaverse in this unforgettable tale about the opportunity―and the adventure―of a lifetime.
We Were Liars
A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.
Wonder
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Some friends just fit together.
Once there was a pair of pants. Just an ordinary pair of jeans. But these pants, the Traveling Pants, went on to do great things. This is the story of the four friends—Lena, Tibby, Bridget, and Carmen—who made it possible.
Pants = love. Love your pals. Love yourself.
Adult Books about Friendship:
"My Brilliant Friend" by Elena Ferrante - intricately weaves the compelling and complex tale of the lifelong friendship between two fiercely intelligent women, exploring the dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of post-war Italy.
"A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman - A heartwarming tale about an unlikely friendship that transforms a curmudgeon's life.
"The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan - Explore the complex relationships and enduring friendships among Chinese-American women.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - A charming novel told through letters, celebrating the bonds forged during difficult times.
"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd - A story of female friendship, empowerment, and healing in the 1960s American South.
"Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg - A tale of friendship and resilience that spans generations in a small Southern town.
"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom - A novel that explores the interconnectedness of lives and the impact of friendships.
"The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein - A heartwarming story told from a dog's perspective, highlighting the enduring bond between humans and their pets.
"The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery - A philosophical novel that delves into the unlikely friendship between a precocious girl and a concierge.
"A Little Life" by Hanya Yanagihara - A profoundly moving and emotionally intense exploration of friendship, trauma, and the enduring impact of a dark past on the lives of four college friends navigating the complex landscape of New York City.
My Brilliant Friend
Beginning in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Elena Ferrante’s four-volume story spans almost sixty years, as its main characters, the fiery and unforgettable Lila and the bookish narrator, Elena, become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship. This first novel in the series follows Lila and Elena from their fateful meeting as ten-year-olds through their school years and adolescence.
Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between two women.
A Man Called Ove
Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.
The Joy Luck Club
Four mothers, four daughters, four families whose histories shift with the four winds depending on who's "saying" the stories. In 1949 four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk. United in shared unspeakable loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. Rather than sink into tragedy, they choose to gather to raise their spirits and money. "To despair was to wish back for something already lost. Or to prolong what was already unbearable." Forty years later the stories and history continue.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
The Secret Life of Bees
Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted Black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of Black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Folksy and fresh, endearing and affecting, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a now-classic novel about two women: Evelyn, who’s in the sad slump of middle aged, and gray-headed Mrs. Threadgoode, who’s telling her life story. Her tale includes two more women—the irrepressibly daredevilish tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth—who back in the thirties ran a little place in Whistle Stop, Alabama, offering good coffee, southern barbecue, and all kinds of love and laughter—even an occasional murder. And as the past unfolds, the present will never be quite the same again.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who has lived, in his mind, an uninspired life. His job is fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. On his 83rd birthday, a tragic accident kills him, as he tries to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakes in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a destination. It's a place where your life is explained to you by five people, some of whom you knew, others who may have been strangers. One by one, from childhood to soldier to old age, Eddie's five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his "meaningless" life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: "Why was I here?"
The Art of Racing in the Rain
The New York Times bestselling novel from Garth Stein—a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope—a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
In an elegant hôtel particulier in Paris, Renée, the concierge, is all but invisible―short, plump, middle-aged, with bunions on her feet and an addiction to television soaps. Her only genuine attachment is to her cat, Leo. In short, she’s everything society expects from a concierge at a bourgeois building in an upscale neighborhood. But Renée has a secret: she furtively, ferociously devours art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. With biting humor, she scrutinizes the lives of the tenants―her inferiors in every way except that of material wealth.
Paloma is a twelve-year-old who lives on the fifth floor. Talented and precocious, she’s come to terms with life’s seeming futility and decided to end her own on her thirteenth birthday. Until then, she will continue hiding her extraordinary intelligence behind a mask of mediocrity, acting the part of an average pre-teen high on pop culture, a good but not outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.
A Little Life
A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves.
Bonus:
Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Now two friends, Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, tell the story of their equally messy and life-affirming Big Friendship in this honest and hilarious book that chronicles their first decade in one another’s lives. As the hosts of the hit podcast Call Your Girlfriend, they’ve become known for frank and intimate conversations. In this book, they bring that energy to their own friendship—its joys and its pitfalls.
Aminatou and Ann define Big Friendship as a strong, significant bond that transcends life phases, geographical locations, and emotional shifts. And they should know: the two have had moments of charmed bliss and deep frustration, of profound connection and gut-wrenching alienation. They have weathered life-threatening health scares, getting fired from their dream jobs, and one unfortunate Thanksgiving dinner eaten in a car in a parking lot in Rancho Cucamonga. Through interviews with friends and experts, they have come to understand that their struggles are not unique. And that the most important part of a Big Friendship is making the decision to invest in one another again and again.
An inspiring and entertaining testament to the power of society’s most underappreciated relationship, Big Friendship will invite you to think about how your own bonds are formed, challenged, and preserved. It is a call to value your friendships in all of their complexity. Actively choose them. And, sometimes, fight for them.
