25+ Middle-Grade Books About Friendship

When Rory moves to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her dad after her parents’ separation, she meets Abby, a tall fellow basketball lover, and the two become fast friends. Imagine their shock when they find out that their dads can’t stand each other — and not because they coach the city’s rival basketball teams but because of something that happened years ago when THEY were middle schoolers. Bishop takes us through the girls’ lives as they dig into what happened between their dads, telling the story from multiple perspectives: the girls’, their dads’, and a ball-playing nun in their lives. Ages 10+

A moving middle-grade novel about four homeless kids on the streets of Chennai, India. The Bridge Home is unique in its exploration of children’s relationship with religion–something lacking in middle-grade literature. There are also strong themes of domestic violence, (chosen) family, and the power of dreams. It took a while to get into this one (I listened to the audio), but once I did, I was hooked. I would recommend it if you’re looking to share more stories set outside the US with tough issues but also a spirit of adventure and plenty of heart. Ages 10+

Four girls form an unlikely friendship that leads to activism. Ofelia Castillo (budding journalist), Aster Douglas (bookish foodie), Cat Garcia (bird aficionado), and Lane DiSanti (artist) are as different as can be. But when the Floras — their local Scout troop — plans to crown its next queen with a hat of feathers, the girls band together to fight for birds. Their antics will push them out of their comfort zones and cause some of them to examine their privilege. This is an engaging middle-grade novel with memorable, endearing, and passionate protagonists. Ages 9+

In Falling Short, we meet Marco and Isaac. They’ve been besties for as long as they can remember, and now they share one pain in common: both their dads aren’t in their lives as they’d like. Isaac’s dad is attentive but currently struggling with alcoholism. Marco’s dad wishes Marco were more athletic instead of nerdy. At the start of middle school, both boys decide to help each other reach their goals. For Isaac, it’s getting better at more than just basketball — getting better grades and being more responsible. And for Marco, it’s learning a sport: basketball. Can they reach their goals? And will their friendship survive it? Ages 9+

Ro and Benji become lab partners and form a pact to help each other achieve their goals. For Ro, that’s building the rocket she and her dad always meant to build before he died a year ago. And for Benji, it’s not getting a failing grade in science by tacking on to Ro’s science project. But when Benji discovers that a popular comic artist is his estranged father, Ro insists on helping Benji reunite with his father. This is a heartfelt middle grade debut about a sweet, unlikely friendship, STEM, the grief of losing a parent, and the joy of finding one. Ages 9+

Etan develops selective mutism after his mom has to go to a treatment facility for a mental disorder in 1980’s San Francisco. Then he meets Malia, a Filipina-American girl with severe eczema. Etan and Malia become fast friends, and he gets a closer look at how debilitating her eczema is. He also realizes that Malia loves singing and has a beautiful singing voice. Etan wants to take Malia’s suffering away, and he thinks his grandfather’s Dead Sea clay can make a difference — perhaps even heal Malia’s eczema. He also suggests that she sing in the community’s talent show. But will the clay work? And will Malia and Etan’s friendship survive the challenges it faces? This is an incredibly moving verse novel about friendship, family, body image, and community. Ages 9+

Jojo is fresh into middle school and dealing with life changes, such as her mom moving her and her older brother Sam into her cat influencer boyfriend’s place. Her first day of middle school is a collection of small catastrophes until she meets three other awkward girls in a cordoned area of the school building that becomes their hideout. From bobcat hunting to secret sharing and plenty of laughs, the first two days of middle school are an awkward, hilarious adventure for all four girls. This was just a pleasure to read. I like that it’s short, will appeal to younger middle grade readers, is lighthearted, and is the first in a series in which each book will be told from a different girl’s perspective. Perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitters Club and the Gigi Shin series! Ages 9+

In this charming middle grade mystery, we meet Benny, a boy with Mosaic Down Syndrome living in Newfoundland, Canada. Benny lives with his mom in the nursing home they run and is entering mainstream school for the first time. Fortunately, he meets and befriends a new girl called Salma on his first day. When a string of burglaries at the home start to threaten his mother’s livelihood, Benny and Salma come up with a plan to catch the thief and end up unraveling a shocking conspiracy. This was such a cozy read! There’s intergenerational friendship, underdogs winning the bullies, charming Newfoundland mannerisms, and a compelling mystery–all with two very lovable main characters at the helm. I had a blast reading this one, and I can see many kids loving it, too. Ages 8+

Swinarski brings summer camp to life in this sun-drenched story about friendship and the tiny jealousies that threaten it. Eowyn’s family is well-to-do and well-known in the musical theater industry, while Jules is from a poor family and literally goes to school in an overflow trailer. Eowyn’s mom died when she was eight, and her doctor dad has raised her and her Broadway-star older brother since then. Eowyn’s dad is not as present in her life due to his focus on her brother and on his job. In contrast, Jules’ dad is out of commission with a bad back, and her mom works at a hair salon but never misses a show (Eowyn’s dad hasn’t been to a show since the first summer). We go back in time with alternating past and present chapters, following the girls through the last five summers and the present one to see how their relationship fell apart and how their long-awaited roles as leads in Wicked may repair it. Ages 9+

So Done follows two friends, Metai and Jamila, living in a low-income Housing Project. Although inseparable from childhood, things change when Jamila returns from a summer in the suburbs. Both girls are dealing with secrets, and Mila appears to be different after her time in the suburbs, throwing herself into dance auditions for their new afterschool program. I LOVED this book! It explores the turbulence that can be common in tween friendships and highlights the importance of stepping up to pursue your goals and the need to speak up even when you’re afraid. Ages 10+

When Luchy’s BFF Cami returns from Colombia just in time for 6th grade, she’s like a new person who is now obsessed with boys and fashion. Luchy’s efforts to rekindle their closeness only bring disastrous results in this painfully funny story with strong Latino roots and soccer action. Ages 9+

After a memorable birthday sleepover with her two best friends, Elise wakes up to realize that time has jumped by six months and her best friends no longer speak to her. With the help of an old friend, she works to figure out what happened and how to undo it. A Split Second is a time travel fantasy with a slightly spooky feel, perfect for kids who like books about magic with a touch of mystery. Ages 9+

Alex is looking forward to spending the summer (as she’s always done) with her best friend, Will. Will’s mother runs the concession stand at their community pool, and both kids have spent several summers playing games at the pool. This summer, though, a schoolmate named Rebekah has eyes for Will — and him for her! As Rebekah and Will begin a tentative crush-friendship, Alex feels threatened. Can Alex get over her jealousy and other issues in her life to figure out this summer friendship drama? This is a terrific summery middle grade book about evolving friendships, growing up, and adjusting to changes. Ages 9+

Well, That Was Awkward is a Cyrano De Begerac-esque retelling which follows four middle-schoolers: Gracie, A.J, Sienna, and Emmet. Things get awkward when Gracie begins to notice A.J (as happens in that middle-school age). Unfortunately, though, A.J likes her friend Sienna — who Gracie thinks is more attractive than Gracie herself. But because Sienna is painfully, shuts-down-and-cant-speak shy, Gracie handles most of the text conversations between A.J and Sienna — unbeknownst to A.J. Of course, this set up doesn’t last long and things erupt into a messy situation. I’d highly recommend Well, That Was Awkward to anyone looking for relatable, humorous middle-grade books. Ages 10+

Sammie and David are best friends who first met at Little League. Things are great until a new boy, Luke moves into the neighborhood. Luke is taller than David and keeps trying to flirt with Sammie even though it obviously makes her uncomfortable. While Sammie looks to David for support, David — who has a crush on Sammie — is preoccupied with being jealous of Luke’s seemingly “smooth” skills. Eventually, an incident on the bus between David and Sammie jeopardizes their friendship and forces Sammie to re-examine the meaning of true friendship. I loved everything about this wonderful, wholesome story. It’s a realistic portrayal of the tumultuous years between childhood and adolescence. It examines closely the need for young people to recognize and respect boundaries, especially where sexual harassment is concerned. Ages 10+

Lou has recently gone through a spat with her best friend Francie, and the two are no longer speaking because of something Lou did that makes her feel like the worst friend in the world. Lou has also been ostracized by Francie and her new friend Madison. But when a new girl, Cece, comes to town, she immediately gravitates toward Lou and asks for her help because she believes she’s been kidnapped by her dad. As Lou works with Cece to get to the bottom of things, she finds some loopholes in Cece’s story that will once again move her to go against a friend’s wishes. This is a hugely relatable book about friendship angst, how much words can hurt, and (self-)forgiveness after a mistake. Ages 9+

Three girls end up at a summer camp together for different reasons. Bea’s parents want her to talk less to her stuffed animals and more to real people. Roxy’s parents are fighting, and she just wants to get away. Virginia didn’t make the soccer team but is stuck at the camp with the girls who watched her flop during tryouts. When Virginia reads Bea’s diary out to their campmates, the two girls get locked into a war. Can they find their way back from enemies to friends? I enjoyed the easy-to-read formatting with lots of negative space in this graphic novel, the friendship theme feels really resonant for elementary schoolers, especially, and kids navigating family and life changes will relate to these girls. This book also has a plot, with a gentle climax that will feel mildly suspenseful, and a satisfying, heartwarming ending. Ages 8+

Beatrix and Meg have always been a package deal — best friends since kindergarten! Things start to shift when Meg meets a quirky girl named Hazel. Hazel is new to the neighborhood and ends up being in Meg’s science class. However, because Beatrix thinks Hazel is “weird,” Meg is afraid to befriend Hazel, despite Hazel being kind and passionate about science. Matters come to a head when Hazel and her mother mention that they keep bees for fun and Hazel suggests the girls study bees for a class project. Beatrix and her mother start a petition to get the bees out of the neighborhood and Meg must decide whether Beatrix will be her “Queen Bee” forever or whether she’ll stand up for her new friend. If you’re looking for an immersive, complex book about middle-school (and adult) female friendships with a side of science and teaching kindness and empathy, this is for you. Ages 9+

Keiko is thrilled that her two BFFs, Jenna and Audrey, are reuniting with her after their first ever summer apart. But when Jenna returns from Texas, she’s doesn’t seem to fit back in seamlessly anymore. It doesn’t help that Audrey seems boy-crazy and has never really gotten on too well with Jenna anyway. As Jenna and Audrey’s friendship deteriorates over the fall, Keiko feels torn between both girls. As a result, confrontation-averse, peace-making Keiko is forced to decide whether or not she will stand up for herself in her friendship with Audrey. Parents and teachers who want to encourage their middle schoolers to stand up for themselves in the midst of a toxic friendship would do well to hand this book to them. Ages 10+

Sixth graders Iris and her best friend Leeza love singer Lola Bay. But after some mean girls take over their plan to start an official Lola Bay fan club, the girls befriend eighth-grader Dana, who says she’s starting an “unofficial” fan club.  Leeza quickly gets bored and finds other interests, while Iris is delighted to be friends with an older girl. But soon, Dana’s actions start to worry Iris. She keeps hacking into websites, then she uses Iris’s parents’ credit card to buy tour tickets! Can Iris find help before it’s too late? The Unofficial Lola Bay Fan Club is a chilling look at the power of celebrity fandom and toxic friendships. Ages 10+

Samira’s summer has taken a disappointing turn as her best friend Kiera seems to have dumped her, and someone has toilet-papered the tree outside her house. When a new girl moves in next door, she begins to pull Samira out of her self-imposed shell, helping her investigate the TP-ing. What Samira hoped would be a quiet summer licking her wounds becomes a full summer of figuring out family and friendships and finding the strength to be herself. I was VERY surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is so accessible, and even though it’s over 300 pages long, I loved the short chapters and the relatable subject matter. Ages 9+