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
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
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
"The Marvellers deserves the highest compliment I can give a book: I want to live in this world." --Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling-author An instant New York Times and #1 Indie Bestseller! "A marvelous gift of a novel!...

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...
Lemons
Savage, Melissa (Melissa D.)
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

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...
The adventures of Beekle the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and¿at long last...
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
* Extensive print and online advertising in school and library media * Lead promotion in the HarperCollins Children's Books booth at TLA, IRA, and ALA Annual 2015, including finished book giveaway and discussion guide distribution * Common Core Focus Title, promotion to include:...

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 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
The first book in the exciting middle-grade series starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination--now in paperback! 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...

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.

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...
Fuzzy mud
Sachar, Louis 1954-
Paper Book
From Louis Sachar, the multi-award-winning author of Holes, comes the New York Times bestseller that's been nominated for 13 state awards and counting!   They got lost. The world got scared. And the mud got fuzzy. ...
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...
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...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.