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 Consortium Scotch Plains Public Library
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The wild robot
Brown, Peter
Paper Book
Now a DreamWorks movie available on Prime Video! 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...

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
Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky --an instant New York Times and #1 Indie Bestseller! "The Marvellers deserves the highest compliment I can give a book: I want to live...

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

Please don't eat me
Climo, Liz
Paper Book
Beloved author-illustrator Liz Climo is back with a hilarious take on (reluctant) friendship that will appeal to fans of We Don't Eat Our Classmates and I Want My Hat Back! When a carefree bunny is approached by a voracious bear in the woods,...
Harbor me
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Jacqueline Woodson's first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories. It all starts when six kids...
Hello universe
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far) "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. ...
Clark the Shark
Hale, Bruce.
Paper Book
Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and boom. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life--but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, Clark's teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down.  ...

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, Maraia Josae
Paper Book
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....
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,...
Billy & Rose : forever friends
Hest, Amy
Paper Book
Billy and Rose, friends with different ideas, always end up coming together in these charming stories from masterful creators Amy Hest and Kady MacDonald Denton. Best friends Billy and Rose, an industrious sheep and a laid-back pig, sometimes see things differently. When they...
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

Houndsley and Catina
Howe, James
Paper Book
The subtle dance of friendship -- from holding your tongue to knowing what to say -- is played out in three sweetly humorous tales about an unlikely, likable pair. Catina wants to be a famous writer. Houndsley is an excellent cook. Catina thinks Houndsley is a wonder. Houndsley...
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

Save me a seat
Weeks, Sarah
Paper Book
A new friend could be sitting right next to you. Save Me a Seat joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the...
Home away from home
Lord, Cynthia
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor Winner Cynthia Lord, a brilliant story about how to find home when everything around us is changing. Mia and her mom visit Grandma in Maine every summer, but this year Mia is going alone. Her mom will stay behind to get their house ready to sell. It'll be a new start, she says,...
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...
Rock star
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Fans of Princess Posey and Ivy and Bean will enjoy engaging with science-loving Jada Jones in this easy-to-read chapter book. When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add...

Other books from the Jada Jones series are: Class Act, Sleepover Scientist, Dancing Queen, and Sky Watcher.

Swift & Hawk : cyberspies
Macx, Logan
Paper Book
For fans of the Alex Rider and Spy School series comes a twenty-first-century spin on the spy novel, featuring a girl and boy whose brilliant minds and cutting-edge technology make them unstoppable. When their families are violently kidnapped, Swift and Hawk--teen experts in AI...
Team Meena
Manternach, Karla
Paper Book
"For Junie B. graduates" (Kirkus Reviews), the fourth and final novel in the Meena Zee series follows irrepressible Meena as she maintains a long-distance friendship with Sofía and makes new friends. No one can take Sofía's place. Now that her best friend lives across the...

Other books from this series include: Meena Meets Her Match, Meena Lost and Found, and Never Fear, Meena's Here!

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

Tea for two
Mews, Melody
Paper Book
Itty prepares a royal tea party for her best friend, Luna Unicorn, in this ninth Itty Bitty Princess Kitty chapter book. Itty and her best friend, Luna Unicorn, are picking ruby red berries when they meet some pegasuses! The pegasuses are honored to meet the princess and prepare...

Check out other books from Melody Mew's Itty Bitty Princess Kitty series.

The sandwich swap
Rania, Queen, consort of Abdullah II, King of Jordan
Paper Book
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!   "This engaging title reminds children that having the courage to try new things can result in positive experiences." --Booklist   "Amplifies...themes of...
Accidental trouble magnet
Mian, Zanib
Paper Book
An exciting middle-grade debut starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination. An NPR Best Book of the Year. Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar! Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too...

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)

Frank and Bean
Michalak, Jamie
Paper Book
When the introspective Frank meets the gregarious Bean, can they find a way to make beautiful music together? Dry wit and hilarious illustrations introduce a new unlikely pair. Frank likes peace and quiet. He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean...

"Frank, a quiet writer, considers sharing his words with the noisy, music-playing Bean."

Check out our VOX editions of Frank and Bean & Frank and Bean: Food Truck Fiasco.

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....
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME * 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...
Holes
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
Fuzzy mud
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
Fifth grader Tamaya Dhilwaddi and seventh grader Marshall Walsh have been walking to and from Woodbridge Academy together since elementary school. But their routine is disrupted when bully Chad Wilson challenges Marshall to a fight. To avoid the conflict, Marshall takes a shortcut home through the...
Doggo and Pupper
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
An old dog has to welcome a new puppy to the household, in this chapter book -- perfect for sharing with fans of Frog and Toad--by beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate. Doggo is used to things being a certain way in his family. He...

Additional titles from this series are: Doggo and Pupper Save the World & Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy

Loki : a bad god's guide to being good
Stowell, Louie
Paper Book
Packed with doodles and cartoons, here is the diary of Loki as he's trapped on earth as a petulant eleven-year-old--and even worse, annoying thunder god Thor is there, too. After one prank too many, trickster god Loki has been banished to live as a kid on Earth. If he can show...
Silver linings
Woodcock, Fiona
Paper Book
Pip and Parker are best friends who do everything together. When Pip makes a mistake, Parker is always there to see the bright side. But what happens when Parker needs a little encouragement, too Perfect for story-time and bedtime sharing, Silver Linings is a funny picture...
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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