Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories

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Book SynopsisA year ago, Gage survived a car accident that killed his best friend, Hunter. Now all Gage wants is to move on. Gage’s biological father convinces him that ignoring his feelings altogether is the best way forward. So when his stepdad shows him a job opening in one of his idol's restaurants, Gage knows this is his chance to convince everyone that he is okay. He applies for the job, asks out a crush, and volunteers to host a memorial for Hunter. But the longer Gage ignores his grief, the more it warps from sadness into uncontrollable anger that undermines everything he is trying to do and to be. When his temper finally turns on the people he loves, Gage must decide what real strength is—holding in his grief until it destroys him, or asking for help and revealing his broken heart for all to see.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing Tiny Bear, the star of a new board book series from Yosuke Yonezu! Climbing is fun, but Tiny Bear must learn to watch where—and who—he climbs in this sweet story that ends with a cuddle from Mama.Tiny Bear loves to climb, even when he isn’t sure what’s up there. In this fun and sweet story kicking off a new board book series full of social-emotional learning for toddlers, Tiny Bear meets several animals of the forest as he clambers up all sorts of trunks and legs. He climbs up a flamingo’s neck, an elephant’s trunk, a giraffe’s legs, and a snake’s body—and oh no! The snake is hungry. It’s Mama bear to the rescue in the book’s only lift-the-flap moment, when Tiny Bear learns that climbing up to snuggle a parent can be the best adventure of all.

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Book Synopsis“For Junie B. graduates” (Kirkus Reviews), the fourth and final novel in the Meena Zee series follows irrepressible Meena as she maintains a long-distance friendship with Sofía and makes new friends.No one can take Sofía’s place. Now that her best friend lives across the country, everything reminds Meena of her. She even spends the whole week saving up things to tell Sofía in their Saturday video chats. But when Sofía gets busy with soccer friends, Meena decides to join a team of her own. Only it turns out softball is harder than she expects. So is getting along with Lin, her bossy teammate who doesn’t even like art! It’s not like Meena wants to be friends or anything. She still has Sofía, doesn’t she? But can they stay close when they’re so far apart, or is it time to expand Team Meena?

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Book SynopsisAphrodite and Persephone look for a missing emerald in this eleventh Little Goddess Girls story?part of the Aladdin QUIX line!Aphrodite and Persephone are on a quest to find another missing jewel from Sparkle City, this one an emerald. On their search, the friends find themselves in a new land where a friendly, flying purple dragon might hold the key to helping the girls find the missing treasure!

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Book SynopsisA dash of fairy magic brightens this heartfelt and bittersweet middle grade novel about three friends confronting their deepest wishes from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Kate.Phoebe is a wish-granting fairy who doesn?t believe in children. Birdie, Gem, and Van are sixth graders who don?t believe in fairies. But deep down, each of them has a wish. Birdie and Gem have been best friends forever, but now things are changing, and Birdie doesn?t know why. Birdie feels left behind, while Gem feels she?s growing up too fast and no one understands what it?s like. Van is lonely, far from their friends in Ireland who never thought that being nonbinary was such a big deal. When Phoebe crash-lands in the woods nearby, the three kids must race against the clock to restore the fairy?s powers and get her back home. They?ll have to summon a new kind of magic to save Phoebe and their friendships?the magic of their deepest, truest wishes.

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Book SynopsisIn the spirit of Mo Willems and Ben Clanton, this “extremely funny and spot-on sensitive” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book shows how a good friend can become even better by trying new things and putting others first.Cat and Duck are very good friends and play together all the time, so when the new slide gets built, they can’t wait to try it out! Only, the slide is very big and curvy—what if it’s too big for Cat? As Cat and Duck move closer to the front of the line, Cat imagines everything that could go wrong until his worries start to rub off on Duck. Now Duck doesn’t want to go down the slide either. Cat feels bad that Duck is missing out on the fun because of him. Can he find a way to make it right?Trade ReviewA 2024 Charlotte Zolotow Highly Commended title"Both extremely funny and spot-on sensitive." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW"A charming view of friendship and encouragement to try new things. Recommended for early readers and social-emotional learning teachers." -- School Library Journal"In a second match-up from collaborators Bernstein and Rosenthal, character-forward playground vignettes, rendered in sturdy pencil outlines and cheery digital color, are comically in sync with the interplay and mood of the deadpan, emotionally astute narration and dialogue." -- Publishers Weekly"Rosenthal’s pastel-hued, cartoon-style illustrations add warmth, humor, and nuance. Many books for young children explore conquering fear, but fewer contextualize how one’s fear can dampen someone else’s good time; this book adds something fresh to the shelf." -- Horn Book Magazine

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Book SynopsisThe Magic School Bus meets Over the Moon in this first book in a new chapter book series about a young Indian American girl who loves science and has a big imagination!Sejal Sinha is looking forward to celebrating Diwali with her family. But when a hurricane appears, Sejal and her cousin Mira learn that the house is in danger from the imminent storm. With the help of Sejal’s favorite stuffed animal, Professor Cheetah, the two girls use Cardboard Box Magic to build their own Hurricane Hunter and fly into the eye of the hurricane! They learn about a project from the 1960s called Project Stormfury, where a team actually tried to stop hurricanes. Can Sejal and Mira do what the previous Stormfury team couldn’t and battle the superstorm?

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Doll Bones and Hocus Pocus, this “beautifully creepy” (Kirkus Reviews), highly illustrated middle grade novel follows a girl who hopes to fix her outcast status through a game in the haunted woods, only to discover that some legends shouldn’t be played with.Everyone knows Fall Hollow is haunted. It has been ever since Abigail Snook went into the woods many years ago, never to be seen again. Since then, it’s tradition for the sixth graders at Beckett Elementary to play the Bellwoods Game on Halloween night. Three kids are chosen to go into the woods. Whoever rings the bell there wins the game and saves the town for another year, but if Abigail’s ghost captures the players first, the spirit is let loose to wreak havoc on Fall Hollow—or so the story goes. Now that it’s Bailee’s year to play, she can finally find out what really happens. And legend has it the game’s winner gets a wish. Maybe, just maybe, if Bailee wins, she can go back to the way things used to be before her grandma got sick and everyone at school started hating her. But when the night begins, everything the kids thought they knew about the game—and each other—is challenged. One thing’s for sure: something sinister is at play…waiting for them all in the woods.Trade Review*An Indigo Kids September Staff Pick**A July/August 2023 Indie Next Pick**A Junior Library Guild Selection*"Krampien intersperses atmospherically eerie b&w art throughout a tense friendship novel steeped in local lore." -- Publishers Weekly"This gorgeously illustrated, atmospheric, and evocative debut captures the fun of being scared and the hard truths of middle school. . . Beautifully creepy." -- Kirkus Reviews"Krampien’s eerie story cleverly focuses on themes such as bullying . . . This supernatural tale will chill readers while reminding them that real friendship can brave any situation." -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the Canterwood Crest series comes the first book in a middle grade series about an equestrian boarding school following a girl who struggles to keep her eyes on the prize while receiving anonymous threats.Abby St. Clair can’t wait to start another season with her elite riding team at her boarding school. She has something to prove after literally falling on her face during the biggest competition of the year the previous season. And she could really use a win after her mom left her family, her dad remarried, and Abby’s new stepsister, Emery, proved to be a strong rider and stiff competition. Abby wants to return to some semblance of normal but is hiding a secret: she accidentally cost her biggest rival, Selly, a chance at team captain. Then Abby begins to receive anonymous messages, threatening to expose her unwitting sabotage and a video that makes it look like she’s trash-talking Emery. With an important competition on the horizon and the knowledge that someone in her circle knows way too much about her, the pressure is on. Abby tries to put on blinders and have the perfect meet with her horse, Beau, but she’s about to find out the hard way that secrets don’t make friends at Saddlehill Academy.

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Book SynopsisIn this snowy day picture book, a kindhearted but overeager duckling tries to be helpful by sharing Wuddles the sheep’s wool to make sure all their animal friends stay warm—but will there be enough for Wuddles?Snow is coming, and the barnyard animals are preparing for the cold. Duckling has an excellent idea! Fleecy Wuddles the sheep has plenty of wool to keep everyone nice and toasty. Surely Wuddles doesn’t mind sharing? Soon there’s a goat in legwarmers, piglets in onesies, and more! But will this outpouring of generosity leave Wuddles himself out in the cold? Not to worry—Duckling has one final, absolutely heartwarming idea!Trade Review"Readers will quickly catch on and enjoy guessing what the duckling decides to make for each successive animal . . . Judge's mastery of the expressive animal face is on full display. No worries here." -- Horn Book Magazine"Duckling’s energy is comically propulsive, and watercolor and pencil illustrations by Judge (Forty Winks) are downright luscious, rendered in creamy whites, warm browns, butter yellows, and blush pinks." -- Publishers Weekly"Mellow watercolors ooze old-fashioned charm, with monotone barn backgrounds contrasting with bright pops of color from the lively, charismatic barnyard animals. With raucous stream-of-consciousness narration, the duckling is both hero and villain, and the story’s a kick to read aloud. . . Adorable. Readers will flock to this barnyard charmer. -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA persimmon branch takes its time creating a wonderful gift for the community around it in this charming picture book celebrating the beauty that can be found in slowing down.When you slow down... you see more. You see the day waking up, the turtle taking steps, the wind having fun. You see wonder all around. In this this simple yet stunning picture book, a persimmon tree stretches across every page, changing with the seasons. In the world beyond its branches, a boy and his puppy delight in the wonders they see around them. All the while, the tree is slowly growing, blooming, and creating fruit to be enjoyed.Trade Review“This tranquil picture book begins with a direct reminder to viewers: “When you slow down . . . / you see more.” . . . Simple lines and shapes and a muted color palette encourage viewers to slow down and take in the many small stories that unfold from one page to the next in Yuly’s soft chalk pastel and cut paper collage artwork. . . The use of perspective over the two-page spreads is highly effective . . . This gentle story invites readers to a quiet lapsit where adult and kiddo can trace each vignette through the book together." -- ?The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books“This tranquil picture book begins with a direct reminder to viewers: “When you slow down . . . / you see more.” Few words accompany the many small stories that play out in the following pages, with seasons changing with each page turn. From a fixed view high in the branches of a persimmon tree, viewers observe the antics of a rosy-cheeked boy and the puppy at his heels, the changes of the natural world around them, and the construction of a house not far from their own. Once the house is complete, the boy climbs the tree to pick the persimmons and share them with the little girl whose family moved into the new house. Simple lines and shapes and a muted color palette encourage viewers to slow down and take in the many small stories that unfold from one page to the next in Yuly’s soft chalk pastel and cut paper collage artwork. A spider weaves its web, spring flowers bloom, leaves emerge on the branches, and a house is framed over the foundation as a bird builds its nest high above. The use of perspective over the two-page spreads is highly effective, showing an expansive, serene overlook that flips in the final scene, with the persimmon tree appearing in full as the two children look out at it from a backyard tent. This gentle story invites readers to a quiet lapsit where adult and kiddo can trace each vignette through the book together. Read it aloud to a class or library group as a lead-in to a nature walk or solo observation, or pair it with The Snowy Day for a seasonal storytime. SS -- The Bulletin * October 2023 *"With a few carefully chosen words and images, Yuly fashions a delicate paean to nature and mindfulness. “When you slow down…/ you see more,” whisper the inviting first lines. . . The minimalist style and composition of the hazy, soft-textured art winningly reflect the book’s philosophy of stripped-down simplicity. . . An appealing purchase for all collections, with plenty of details to inspire conversation and reward multiple read-throughs." -- School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW* "The simplicity of this story results in its perfection. Repeated scenes of a branch of the persimmon tree, shown in different weather and at various times of day, will hold children’s interest during multiple rereads and help them learn about the seasons and other aspects of the natural world. . . The precise, limited narrative and its message that good things can take time to develop will lull readers into a sense of calm appreciation, making this an ideal story for bedtime. Delightful and soothing encouragement to slow down and enjoy life." -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

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Book SynopsisA baby capybara learns the best way to make true friends is by being yourself in this whimsically wonderful picture book from the author of The Problem with Pajamas.Baby Capybara is a great friend. After all, no one else can create obstacle courses, follow treasure maps, or make perfect mud pies. So why is he the only capybara without a beautiful bevy of birds perched on his back? He tries to be more like the other capybaras: he floats calmly, he naps quietly, and he even chews slowly—still no flock! But when an unexpected critter splashes onto the scene, Baby Capybara realizes that, instead of changing himself to fit in, maybe there’s someone out there who loves the same things he does!Trade Review"Well-timed speech bubbles and kinetic images capture the way that boisterous and tender-hearted Baby Capybara makes an impression, playing out an endearing, very relatable journey about finding a true friend to click with." -- Publishers Weekly * 2/20/2023 *"There’s something irresistible about Baby Capybara. . . . The highs, lows, and in betweens of seeking connection are laid out humorously yet truthfully. This could easily be read just for entertainment or as a conversation starter around a variety of social-emotional skills. It is nimble, just like Baby Capybara. A sweet combination of silly and tender." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisIn this “poignant” (Publishers Weekly), riveting middle grade novel that’s “a ‘Hatchet and Gretel story’” (Booklist), two unlikely friends fly off on an adventure they hope will set them free—only to learn the value of what they left behind. Gerty has a secret: She’s building an airplane. She wants to join the Civil Air Patrol, where pilots as young as twelve help with disaster relief—but she knows her parents would be outraged. They’re survivalists who raised her to be independent and only enrolled her in middle school to show her why they’ve decided to opt out of society. Still, Gerty is determined to protect her beloved Pando, a nearby ancient aspen forest. Hayes has some problems of his own, but they aren’t the kind that can be hidden under a tarp. His mom is back from prison, but he’s not sure he’ll ever stop missing the mom she used to be. One thing is certain: He’s never going to be like her. He follows the rules. But Gerty is the only person at school Hayes doesn’t hate, so after she tells him about her hidden plane, he helps her finish it. When wildfires break out nearby, Gerty wants to fly to Pando and make sure it’s safe—and Hayes is tempted by the chance to escape everything on the ground. But the duo will soon realize that they can’t escape their roots—and that holding onto those connections might be the real key to survival.Trade Review"Vrabel spins a poignant love letter to friendship and a harrowing survival tale in this gripping read." * Publishers Weekly *"A heartwarming read with a powerful message: The lonely and jaded can heal with the love of an empathetic friend." * Kirkus Reviews *"Readers will be swept along by the intense plot." * Booklist *

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