Friendship

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 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1982

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Tags Addiction / Substance Abuse, History: U.S., American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Siblings, Self Discovery, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, LGBTQ


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Tags Mental Illness, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2019

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Past, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Drama / Tragedy, WWII / World War II, Holocaust, Military / War, History: World


Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Historical Fiction, Fantasy


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Climate, Self Discovery

Tags Action / Adventure, Survival Fiction, Natural Disaster, Children's Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Realistic Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Health / Medicine, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1926

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Place, Society: Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Animals, Food, Relationships, Science / Nature


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Natural World: Food, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Fathers, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Grief / Death, Depression / Suicide, Modern Classic Fiction

Wintergirls is a young-adult novel by Laurie Halse Anderson published in 2009 by Penguin Books. Wintergirls is the winner of the 2010 Milwaukee County Teen Book Award and has received several other award nominations. Wintergirls follows the mental health journey of Lia Overbrook as she attempts recovery from anorexia, depression, and other mental health issues. Lia spends the weeks during Thanksgiving and Christmas struggling to gain closure over her former best friend Cassie’s death. Lia... Read Wintergirls Summary


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Identity: Disability

Tags Realistic Fiction, Animals, Bullying, Children's Literature


Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Birth, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Fantasy


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Fantasy


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Music, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Holidays & Occasions


Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Historical Fiction, Health / Medicine, British Literature, History: World

Year of Wonders (2001) is a historical fiction novel by Geraldine Brooks, tracing the 1666 outbreak of the bubonic plague in the English town of Eyam. When the town’s zealous rector, Michael Mompellion, and the community submit to a voluntary quarantine, young widow Anna Frith serves with the rector and his wife Elinor to minister to the townsfolk as the plague wreaks havoc. Through the eyes of 18-year-old Anna, the novel explores what happens when... Read Year of Wonders Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, LGBTQ, New Adult


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Midlife, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Flora/plants, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Marriage, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Literature


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Mental Illness


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Art, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Society: Community

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Bullying, Modern Classic Fiction