06 Oct Friendship Booklist
Building Strong Bonds: Books about Friendship
Bonding and connectedness are essential for a child’s healthy development. Fostering strong and resilient relationships can be challenging at any age, but learning how to overcome those challenges can allow children to navigate future relationships of their own. By working together to practice effective communication skills, conflict resolution, and empathy, children can grow to thrive in making and sustaining strong bonds with others. The following books celebrate the power of friendships, even when the characters face challenges and adversity in their journeys together.
Early Readers
Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
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. Frog and Toad Are Friends is a Level Two I Can Read book, geared for kids who read on their own but still need a little help. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play of Level Two books are proven to help kids take their next steps toward reading success. — HarperCollins (publisher)
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don’t you need arms to catch? Mo Willems’ Geisel Award-winning duo never fails to tickle readers of all ages. Like previous Elephant & Piggie Books, this adventure has been vetted by an early learning specialist and emerging learners themselves. It turns reading into play! — Hyperion Books for Children (publisher)
Picture Books
Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina
Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it’s time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina’s beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez’s colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls’ urban neighborhood. — Candlewick Press (publisher)
What James Said by Liz Rosenberg
A funny, heartfelt, perfectly pitched story about misunderstandings and the importance of true friendship. When a little girl thinks that her best friend James has been saying bad things about her behind her back, she takes action in the form of the silent treatment. As they go about their day and James tries harder and harder to get her to talk to him, they both realize that true friendship surpasses any rumor… or misunderstanding. A classic childhood situation is brought to life with humor and poignancy with energetic illustrations by Matt Myers and a simple, telling text by Liz Rosenberg. — Roaring Book Press (publisher)
Chapter Books
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
A Valentine’s Day dance at Greg’s middle school has turned his world upside down until an unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves his best friend Rowley the odd man out. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel is a 2012 bestselling children’s novel and the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by American author Jeff Kinney. — Harry N. Abrams (publisher)
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope. — HarperCollins (publisher)
Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short? —HarperCollins (publisher)
Graphic Novels
Real Friends by Shannon Hale
Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it’s worth the journey. When best friends are not forever… Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top… even if it means bullying others. Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out? — First Second (publisher)
Looking for more recommendations for your child? Visit the Children’s Room at Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library and we would be happy to help you find your next book or series. Happy reading!
Written by Ryan F., Youth Services Library Assistant
