Anyone who can easily recall the drama and intensity of tweenage friendships knows what an identity-defining moment it can be, for both boys and girls alike. The connections we forge with our peers as young people have the power to influence the adults we become and the choices that we make later on in life — thus why it is paramount that we learn to foster healthy relationships, and set reasonable boundaries with others from an early age.
These brilliant books will allow you and your child to have an open conversation about what it means to be a good friend, as well as address all the big, complicated emotions that often go along with it. Each recommendation featured here offers a unique, relatable insight into childhood friendships, and are sure to provoke thoughtful self-reflection in your middle-grade child long after reading.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Wonder by R. J. Palacio follows the story of August ‘Auggie’ Pullman, a young boy born with facial differences as he enters a mainstream school for the first time in his life. The novel deftly handles themes of acceptance, belonging, and the importance of being kind to those who might look or behave differently to other people. The book seeks to teach young readers an important lesson in looking beyond appearances to discover common values and interests with others.
The novel is told through multiple points of view, including Auggie’s, his sister Via’s, and his many new friends’, working to highlight how Auggie’s presence positively impacts those around him and how they soon learn to appreciate and understand him. This is the perfect friendship read for any child aged eight or above, but is an engaging story that can be enjoyed by adult readers alike! Wonder (2017) was adapted into a family drama movie by Starz Entertainment, making for the perfect family viewing for any fans of the book!
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
R. J. Palacio, Wonder
Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe
Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe centres around a young girl named Ella as she starts at a new school and is made to navigate friendships and secret-keeping. Upon first meeting her classmates, Ella is immediately drawn to the popular girl, Lydia, in spite of her manipulative, mean-girl ways. Ella, in a desperate search for acceptance, is eventually made to struggle with a tricky internal moral dilemma between right and wrong.
The book age-appropriately explores themes of peer pressure, loyalty, friendship, as well as parental responsibility, with a larger focus on the challenges of meeting new people and adapting to different social-dynamics. This is a must-read for any child who has experienced tricky friendships first-hand; offering them insight, reassurance, and advice along with a cast of relatable characters that will stick with them long after finishing.
“Don’t worry […] You got in a tangle. I’ve been in a tangle too […]”
Cath Howe, Ella on the Outside
Vicky Angel by Jacqueline Wilson
Content Warning: This book contains details about death and bereavement. Please exercise personal care and check TW’s before reading.
Vicky Angel by children’s-book-writing legend Jacqueline Wilson tells the story of Jade, a teenage girl trying to manage deep and complex emotions after her best friend, Vicky, tragically dies in a car accident. Vicky, even in death, continues to influence Jade’s life, appearing to her in angel-form as a controlling presence that seeks to hinder her attempts to move on and make new friends. The novel healthily explores themes of guilt, grief, and the struggle to let go of cherished friendships, ultimately leading young readers to a lasting message about self-love, acceptance, and hope.
This is a great recommendation for any child who is going through a similar dilemma or problem to the protagonist, or who may have experienced a loved one or close friend pass away very suddenly. Jacqueline Wilson here creates a safe space for the most profound friendship-related emotions to be thought through and fully felt, and this is therefore a book that is well-suited to be recommended here. I absolutely adored this book as a child, and I hold Vicky Angel responsible for my love of books about complicated female friendships as an adult.
“Vicky’s only been dead an hour and yet she’s already a memory.”
Jacqueline Wilson, Vicky Angel
My Friend Walter by Michael Morpurgo
My Friend Walter by Michael Morpurgo is a humorous historical fiction story for children about a girl named Bess who discovers that she is a descendant of Sir Walter Raleigh — an Elizabethan academician, poet, and explorer. Bess meets his ghost, who then moves into her house and causes all kinds of hilarious and slightly spooky mayhem. In spite of his challenging antics, Bess must keep Walter’s existence a secret from the rest of her family in order to keep her new friend safe.
This book explores themes of the supernatural, honestly, family struggles, revenge, and, of course, friendship. The story additionally touches on the loneliness of the elderly, and the importance of avoiding closed-mindedness. This is a great recommendation for any child who loves stories about history and key figures from the past, or books that are both amusing and mysterious more generally. It’s also the perfect read for any budding young scholar who is interested in learning about the Tudor period.
“Living with a ghost can have its difficulties, I discovered, even if he is your friend.”
Michael Morpurgo, My Friend Walter
Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers
Paper Chains by Elaine Vickers follows best friends Katie and Ana, a couple of young girls who used to be completely inseparable. That is until the link between them begins to break, and just at a time when they need each other most. Before their bond of friendship is lost for good, they must work together to untangle the hidden secrets and resentments that lie beneath the surface. The story leads young readers to learn a valuable lesson: friendship, just like family, is always worth fighting for.
This is a sweet middle-grade story about family, friendship, as well as the excitement (and struggle) of discovering where you belong in the world. The relationship between Katie and Ana offers young readers an opportunity for open conversation about the things we share with our friends, and the importance of not taking the people who care most for us for granted. This is an exceptionally well told story all about the power of friendship, and the source of comfort, love, and reassurance they can give us when even family might fall short.
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein
Content Warning: This book contains details about death and bereavement. Please exercise personal care and check TW’s before reading.
Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein tells the story of a young boy called Will, nicknamed ‘Turtle Boy’ because of a facial difference, who discovers an unexpected friendship and newfound life’s purpose whilst preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. Will’s community service project leads him to meet RJ, a hospitalized teenager with an extensive bucket list. With Will’s help, RJ gets to live out his final wishes, pushing Will out of his sheltered comfort zone and ultimately teaching him how to live a more free and confident life.
This book carefully handles themes of overcoming adversity, self-discovery, and finding strength in unexpected places. In addition, the story delves into loss, grief, and the importance of nurturing Jewish community and traditions. This is the perfect recommendation for young readers aged ten and up, as it is highly praised for its exploration into friendship, family life, and the challenges of growing up. It is also a good read for those who enjoy and appreciate stories about people who may look or be different to others, whilst also resonating greatly with children who may have also experienced anxiety or the death of a loved one themselves.
“Because feeling good about yourself doesn’t come from changing how you look […] It comes from changing how you see yourself. Learning to see yourself the way the people who love you see you.”
M. Evan Wolkenstein, Turtle Boy
So there we have it! Six incredible stories about the importance of friendship for your middle-grade reader to get immersed in. All of the amazing books featured here have something unique and important to say about navigating friendship as a young person, offering poignant insight into the colourful, rich, and vibrantly emotional world that only our friends can allow us access to.
Love this? Read our other article: 7 Genuine Coming-of-Age Books About Forgiveness and Friendship.
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