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
A gloriously illustrated story of a robot's adventures in the wild

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 "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...
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, Mar� a Jos
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....
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,...
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...
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

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
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)

Frank and Bean. Food truck fiasco
Michalak, Jamie
Paper Book

"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
Shortlisted for Oscar's Book Prize 2021 Shortlisted for Children's Illustrated Book of the Year at The British Book Awards 2021 'A wonderful, warm bear-hug of a story with sumptuous illustrations. A modern classic.' - Jim Field, illustrator of Oi Frog ...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
'My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.' Auggie wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things - eating ice cream, playing on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside. But ordinary kids don't...
Holes
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL AND NATIONAL BOOK AWARD ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME The iconic, multi-million bestselling novel, in a 25th anniversary edition with exclusive new material inside. An unmissable modern classic.
Fuzzy mud
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
A funny, sinister and thought-provoking comic thriller from the multimillion-copy selling author of Holes. If you go down to the woods today ... Well, every child knows NOT to, don't they? Tamaya is on a scholarship to the prestigious...
Doggo and Pupper
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
An old dog has to welcome a new puppy to the household, in this chapter book by #1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate with a brightly colored palette from Charlie Alder. Doggo is used to things being a certain way in his family. He likes routine. Cat...

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
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 book about...
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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