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 May 4, 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.

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. ...
Friends forever
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 beginning readers...

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

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
This charming trio of chapters implicitly testifies to the adage that opposites attract. - PUBLISHERS WEEKLYCatina wants to be a famous writer. Houndsley is an excellent cook. Catina thinks Houndsley is a wonder. Houndsley thinks Catina is a very good friend. So what should Houndsley say about...
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.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...
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.

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 #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)

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
A darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment Stanley Yelnat's family has a history of bad luck, so he isn't too surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to a boys' juvenile detention center, Camp Green Lake. There is no lake - it has been dry for over a hundred years - and it...
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...
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

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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