Books for Kids: Friendship

Check out this list generated by our Youth Services Librarians for the Scotch Plains Public Library's annual summer reading challenge.

Updated April 28, 2023
Libraries of Middlesex Automation ConsortiumScotch Plains Public Library
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The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
Now a DreamWorks movie! This #1 New York Times bestselling illustrated middle grade novel from a Caldecott Honor winner tells an extraordinary story full of action and thought-provoking questions as a robot learns to survive--and live--in the wilderness....

Don't forget to check out other titles from this series: The Wild Robot Escapes & The Wild Robot Protects (release date: 9/26/23)

The Marvellers
Clayton, Dhonielle
Paper Book
New York Times-bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Soman Chainani and Melissa de la Cruz. Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to...

Already read it? The Memory Thieves will be released on 9/26/23.

Too many treats
Hale, Bruce
Paper Book
Clark the Shark's mom is making brownies for school. But when Clark decides to taste just one, the impulsive shark can't stop eating! Yum-yum-YUM. Will the class treat be ruined With easy-to-read text and Clark's trademark rhymes, this chocolaty Level One tale will have...

Read more about Clark the Shark's adventures by checking out other titles written in this series. View more more titles here.

Turtles of the midnight moon
Fitzgerald, María José
Ebook
When poachers threaten the island they love, two girls team up to save the turtles--and each other. An eco-mystery with an unforgettable friendship story at its heart from a fresh new voice in middle grade. Twelve-year-old Barana lives in a coastal village in...
Lemons
Savage, Melissa
Paper Book
The search for Bigfoot gets juicy in this funny and touching story that's perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo's Flora & Ulysses and the movie Smallfoot!   Lemonade Liberty Witt's mama always told her: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade....
Hello universe
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal "A charming, intriguingly plotted novel."--Washington Post Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly's Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships. Told from four intertwining points of view--two boys and two...
Sal & Gabi break the universe
Hernandez, Carlos Alberto
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence by Carlos Hernandez, winner of the 2020 Pura Belpré Award. "I love this book in every possible universe! With a surprise on every page and two of the most cosmically awesome, vividly unique...

Check the sequel: Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe

I walk with Vanessa : a story about a simple act of kindness
Kerascoe?t
Paper Book
This simple yet powerful picture book--from a New York Times bestselling husband-and-wife team--tells the story of one girl who inspires a community to stand up to bullying. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom! Don't miss the companion book,...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face--who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind...
Save me a seat
Weeks, Sarah
Paper Book
A new friend could be sitting right next to you.Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi's family just...
Ghost
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this...

Check out the other books in this series: Patina, Sunny, & Lu

Cyberspies
Macx, Logan
Paper Book
"An addictive new spy series for Alex Rider fans who love breathless plot, cutting-edge tech and action-packed adventure. When their families mysteriously disappear, Swift and Hawk, teen experts in AI and robotics, are recruited by the secretive M©bius Programme to crack an unbreakable code. They...
The one and only Ivan
Applegate, Katherine.
Paper Book
The #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan is now a major motion picture streaming on Disney+ This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of...

Check out other books from this series: The One and Only Bob & The One and Only Ruby

The sandwich swap
Rania, Queen, consort of Abdullah II, King of Jordan
Paper Book
A celebration of friendship, tolerance and cultural differences, inspired by Queen Rania's own experience. Lilly and Salma are best friends. They play together and stick together through thick and thin. But who ever thought that such a simple thing as the difference between peanut butter and hummus...
Accidental trouble magnet
Mian, Zanib
Paper Book
Welcome, readers, to the imaginative brain of Omar! You might not know me yet, but once you open the pages of this book you'll laugh so hard that snot will come out of your nose (plus you might meet a dragon and a zombie - what more could you want?). My parents decided it would...

Check out other books in this series: Unexpected Super Spy, Incredible Rescue Mission, Epic Hero Flop, and Ultimate Rocket Blast (release date 6/13/23)

Keep it together, Keiko Carter
Florence, Debbi Michiko
Paper Book
Fans of Wendy Mass and Lisa Greenwald are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sweet story about first crushes, friendship drama, and finding the courage to stand up for yourself.Seventh grade is supposed to be a game changer. And Keiko thinks she's got it covered, especially with Audrey and Jenna...
I'm sticking with you
Prasadam-Halls, Smriti
Paper Book
From Smriti Prasadam-Halls, the internationally bestselling author of I Love You Night and Day, and illustrator Steve Small, comes the charming picture book I'm Sticking with You, a sweet celebration of friendship. Bear and Squirrel are best friends....
The adventures of Beekle : the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art in an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in...
Holes
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
This groundbreaking classic is now available in a special anniversary edition with bonus content. Winner of the Newbery Medal as well as the National Book Award, HOLES is a New York Times bestseller and one of the strongest-selling middle-grade books to ever hit shelves!
Fuzzy mud
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
From the author of the acclaimed bestseller Holes, winner of the Newbery Award and the National Book Award, comes a New York Times bestselling adventure about the impact we have--both good and bad--on the world we live in.    Be careful. Your next step may...
A bad god's guide to being good
Stowell, Louie
Paper Book
Liar & spy
Stead, Rebecca.
Paper Book
The instant New York Times bestseller from the author of the Newbery Medal winner When You Reach Me: a story about spies, games, and friendship.   The first day Georges (the S is silent) moves into a new Brooklyn apartment, he sees a sign taped to a door in...

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