YA Focus on Friendship

These teen reads portray all the highs and lows we go through in our treasured friendships and remind us that friendship stories are really some of the most powerful love stories out there, both IRL and in fiction. You’ll want to hug your best friends a little tighter after reading these!

Updated January 26, 2024
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The Agathas
Glasgow, Kathleen
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Who killed Brooke Donovan? It's the biggest mystery of the summer, and everyone in Castle Cove thinks they know what happened. But they're wrong. Two unlikely friends come together to solve the case in this fast-paced, fun, modern Agatha Christie inspired...
As you walk on by
Winters, Julian
Paper Book
The Breakfast Club meets Can't Hardly Wait with an unforgettable ensemble cast in another swoony YA contemporary from award-winning author Julian Winters! Seventeen-year-old Theo Wright has it all figured out. His plan (well, more like his dad's plan) is a foolproof...
The book of living secrets
Roux, Madeleine
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood and Small Favors, this genre-bending page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux follows two girls who transport themselves into the world of their favorite book only to encounter the sinister alternate reality that awaits...
Darius the Great is not okay
Khorram, Adib
Paper Book
Darius doesn't think he'll ever be enough, in America or in Iran. Hilarious and heartbreaking, this unforgettable debut introduces a brilliant new voice in contemporary YA. Winner of the William C. Morris Debut Award "Heartfelt, tender, and so utterly real. I'd live...
Does my body offend you?
Cuevas, Mayra
Paper Book
A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and...
Early departures
Reynolds, Justin A.
Paper Book
Like Adam Silvera's They Both Die at the End and Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us, Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds, author of Opposite of Always, is a powerful and deeply moving YA contemporary novel with a speculative twist about love, death, grief, and friendship. What if you...
Eat your heart out
deVos, Kelly
Paper Book
Shaun of the Dead meets Dumplin' in this bitingly funny YA thriller about a kickass group of teens battling a ravenous group of zombies. In the next few hours, one of three things will happen. 1--We'll be rescued (unlikely) ...
The greatest thing
Searle, Sarah Winifred
Paper Book
A 2023 Lambda Literary Award Finalist A 2023 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens A 2023 Children's Book Council Young Adult Favorite It's the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred's two best (and only) friends have transferred to...
Hamilton and Peggy! : a revolutionary friendship
Elliott, Laura
Paper Book
Revolutionary. Friend. Lover. Sister. Peggy Schuyler has always felt like she's existed in the shadows of her beloved sisters: the fiery, intelligent Angelica and beautiful, sweet Eliza. The three of them have a magnetic pull-they are stronger together than they are alone....
Himawari House
Becker, Harmony
Paper Book
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Fiction Literature Winner of the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year School Library Journal Best Books of the Year A heartwarming young adult graphic...
Insomniacs after school. 1
Ojiro, Makoto
Paper Book
Two sleepless teenagers find kinship as they escape to their school's astronomy observatory. Unable to sleep at night, Ganta Nakami is cranky in class and unpopular with his classmates. He discovers that the school observatory, once used by the now-defunct astronomy...
Late to the party
Quindlen, Kelly
Paper Book
From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, and what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere. Seventeen is nothing like Codi Teller imagined.
A long stretch of bad days
McGinnis, Mindy
Paper Book
From award-winning author Mindy McGinnis comes a thrilling and gripping YA mystery about a small town's past and the secrets unearthed by way of two teen girls--and a podcast. Perfect for fans of Sadie, The Cheerleaders, and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. A lifetime of hard...
Lost in Taiwan
Crilley, Mark
Paper Book
In this exciting graphic novel about stepping out of your comfort zone, a traveler finds himself lost in Taiwan with no way of finding his brother--but he soon learns that this forced disconnect is helping him explore and experience the big wide world around him. ...
Lumberjanes
Stevenson, Noelle
Paper Book
Best friends Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley spend a fun summer at Lumberjane scout camp where they encounter yetis, three-eyed wolves, and giant falcons while solving a mystery that holds the fate of the world in the balance.
A map to the sun
Leong, Sloane
Paper Book
A Map to the Sun is a gripping YA graphic novel about five principle players in a struggling girls' basketball team. One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren's messages to her friend go...
The next new Syrian girl
Shukairy, Ream
Paper Book
A Syrian American and Syrian refugee who are at odds must chase a haunting secret that leads them all the way to Jordan in this sharp-witted novel perfect for fans of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.  Khadija Shami is a Syrian American high school...
Nightbirds
Armstrong, Kate J.
Paper Book
AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all. Magic is illegal in Simta, but for the right price, the wealthy can...
Nimona
Stevenson, Noelle
Paper Book
Now a Netflix animated film! Nimona is the New York Times bestselling graphic novel sensation from ND Stevenson, based on his beloved and critically acclaimed web comic. Kirkus says, "If you're going to read one graphic novel this year, make it this one." Nemeses! Dragons! Science!...
Nothing can possibly go wrong
Shen, Prudence
Paper Book
You wouldn't expect Nate and Charlie to be friends. Charlie's the laid-back captain of the basketball team, and Nate is the neurotic, scheming president of the robotics club. But they are friends, however unlikely--until Nate declares war on the cheerleaders. At stake is funding that will either...
Radio silence
Oseman, Alice
Paper Book
From the critically acclaimed creator of the Heartstopper series comes a smartly crafted contemporary YA novel, perfect for readers who love Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl. This is an utterly captivating and authentic teen novel from the author of Solitaire, which VOYA said "could...
Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
Zentner, Jeff
Paper Book
"Anyone can break your heart--Jeff Zentner can also make you laugh out loud!" --RAINBOW ROWELL, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Carry On and Eleanor & Park From the award winning author of The Serpent King comes a contemporary novel about...
Runaways. 1, Find your way home
Rowell, Rainbow
Paper Book
Get ready to run! The IT book of the early 2000s with the original cast is back - Nico! Karolina! Molly! Chase! Old Lace! And, could it be? Gert?! The heart of the Runaways died years ago, but you won't believe how she returns! Superstar author Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park, Carry On) makes her...
Scars like wings
Stewart, Erin
Paper Book
Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word. Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl. Ava Lee...
Show-ha shoten!, vol. 1
Asakura, Akinari.
Paper Book
A pair of dreamers strive to rise to the top of the comedy world in this story by Akinari Asakura with art by Takeshi Obata (Death Note)! Shy Azemichi Shijima has secretly been studying the art of comedy. His outgoing classmate Taiyo Higashikata has big dreams of...
Since you've been gone
Matson, Morgan.
Paper Book
Emily is about to take some risks and have the most unexpected summer ever in this new novel from the bestselling author of Second Chance Summer and Amy and Roger's Epic Detour. Before Sloane, Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, and she didn't do...
Six crimson cranes
Lim, Elizabeth
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone....
This one's for you
Sweeney, Kate
Paper Book
A gorgeous contemporary romance about two ex-best friends, Cass and Syd, on a life-altering road trip following the reunion tour of the Darlas-the band Cass's mom was in when she died. Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour, Mary H.K. Choi, and Jandy Nelson. After their high school...
The unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Powers of a squirrel
North, Ryan
Paper Book
Eating nuts. Kicking butts. No ifs, ands or buts. Thanos. Fin Fang Foom. Deadpool. One by one, they have fallen to her squirrel-based might - all completely, indisputably in canon. Now the Sciuridae super hero is about to face her biggest challenge yet: majoring in computer science at Empire State...
Unraveller
Hardinge, Frances
Paper Book
Unraveller is a dark YA fantasy about learning to use your power and finding peace, from award-winning author Frances Hardinge. In a world where anyone can create a life-destroying curse, only one person has the power to unravel them.
We can be heroes
McCauley, Kyrie
Paper Book
Kyrie McCauley, author of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award winner If These Wings Could Fly, delivers a powerful contemporary YA novel about the lasting bonds of friendship and three girls fighting for each other in the aftermath of a school shooting....
We were liars
Lockhart, E.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * A modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Don't miss the #1 New York Times bestselling prequel, Family of Liars. A beautiful and distinguished family.
What to say next
Buxbaum, Julie
Paper Book
"What to Say Next reminds readers that hope can be found in unexpected places." -Bustle From the New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things comes a story about two struggling teenagers who find an unexpected connection just when they need...
When it all syncs up
Ameyaw, Maya
Paper Book
A Black teen dancer with dreams of landing a spot in a prestigious ballet company must learn to dance on her own terms in this explosive debut about the healing power of art and friendship, perfect for fans of Euphoria and Tiny Pretty Things. Ballet is Aisha's life. So when she's...
When you were everything
Woodfolk, Ashley
Paper Book
For fans of Nina LaCour's We Are Okay and Adam Silvera's History Is All You Left Me, this heartfelt and ultimately uplifting novel follows one sixteen-year-old girl's friend breakup through two concurrent timelines--ultimately proving that even endings can lead to new beginnings.<...
Wilder girls
Power, Rory
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! "The perfect kind of story for our current era."--Hypable Featured in Vulture's "11 Books to Read If You Already Miss Yellowjackets"! From the author of Burn Our...

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