The solace and comfort of true friendship — and the pain of its loss — can rival any romantic or familial relationship. In this collection, we present texts that examine the unique qualities and costs of deep friendships.
Publication year 2009
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Tags Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Magical Realism, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2001
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Marriage
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Grief / Death
1st to Die (2001), by bestselling author James Patterson, is the first novel in The Women’s Murder Club series. The club features four friends—San Francisco homicide detective Lindsay Boxer, medical examiner Claire Washburn, crime reporter Cindy Thomas, and assistant district attorney Jill Bernhardt—who work together, both professionally and personally, to solve crimes. In this first novel, the club works to solve the Honeymoon Murders, the killing of three couples just after their weddings. 1st to... Read 1st to Die Summary
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Society: Economics
Tags Action / Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction
Publication year 2001
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Military / War, WWII / World War II, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, History: World
A Boy at War is the first of three novels by Harry Mazer that feature Adam Pelko as their protagonist. Published in 2001 by Simon & Schuster, it was followed by A Boy No More (2004) and Heroes Don’t Run (2005). Sergeant Harry Mazer was born in New York City in 1925 and served in the United States Air Force in the European theater of World War II from 1943-1945. He was awarded the Purple... Read A Boy at War Summary
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Animals, Children's Literature
Publication year 2014
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Family
Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Parenting, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction
Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost (2014) is a middle-grade novel about self-acceptance and recognizing one’s own worth. The story follows 10-year-old Albie’s journey along this path. Albie has never been the best at anything, especially anything to do with school. He continually falls short of others’ expectations, especially his parents’. However, his new nanny, Calista, sees him differently—and gradually, she helps Albie discover his strengths and take pride in himself.Graff is an American writer who pens... Read Absolutely Almost Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Colonialism, Society: War
Tags Historical Fiction, Vietnam War, Military / War, History: World, Fantasy
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, LGBTQ, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 1956
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Tags Classic Fiction, Auto/Biographical Fiction, Southern Literature, Holidays & Occasions, Grief / Death, Children's Literature, American Literature
Originally published in Mademoiselle magazine in December 1956, “A Christmas Memory” remains one of Truman Capote’s (1924-1984) most anthologized short stories. A midcentury author with a clear and evocative prose style, Capote is remembered for his novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958) and for his groundbreaking work of true-crime nonfiction, In Cold Blood (1966). Other works by this author include The Grass Harp (1951), Children on Their Birthdays (1948), and Other Voices, Other Rooms (1948).“A Christmas... Read A Christmas Memory Summary
Publication year 1807
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Tags Lyric Poem, Romanticism / Romantic Period
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Community
Tags Fantasy, Romance, New Adult
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Friendship, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness
Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Music
Tags Realistic Fiction, Music, Children's Literature, Humor
Publication year 1938
Genre Novella, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge
Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Relationships, Education, Education, Military / War, History: World
Address Unknown (1938) by American writer Kathrine Taylor details the rise of Nazi Germany through the correspondence of two men, one of whom is Jewish and one of whom is not. The short novel explores themes such as Radicalization, The Impact of Paranoia and Fascism, and The Loss of Friendship and Family.Chapter 1 Summary: “November 12, 1932”A Jewish German man named Max writes to his business partner, a German gentile, or individual who isn’t Jewish... Read Address Unknown Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Romance, Religion / Spirituality, Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Class
Publication year 2024
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction
Publication year 2012
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Identity: Gender, Self Discovery
Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Grief / Death, Children's Literature
Publication year 2005
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Animals, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Class, Society: Economics, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Music, Children's Literature
Publication year 2023
Genre Graphic Memoir , Nonfiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Tags Children's Literature, Romance, Biography, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Travel Literature