Our Book List for Building Friendships

Literature is a powerful way to teach life lessons! This month we have six book suggestions by grade level that focus on friendship. We hope you and your students enjoy these books. We’d love to hear any additional book recommendations you have, you can send us an email or add a comment below. ​

Elementary 

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. The Name Jar is a story about a Korean immigrant. Unhei’s first few days at a new American school. This book gives you an opportunity to talk about culture differences, being kind, embracing differences, and being proud of who you are. Grade Level k-3

Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig. Just Kidding is a story about knowing the difference between teasing and hurting. The story illustrates how teasing can be hurtful and what a person can do if they find themselves in this situation. Grade 3-5

Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig. Trouble Talk is a story about a young girl who gets caught up in gossip. Mayas’s friend Bailey can’t stop talking about everyone and everything. There are many discussions that can come out of this book, from how to deal with gossip to how a person can change their actions and ask for forgiveness. Grade Level 3-5

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Middle School 

School for Sidekicks by Kelly McCullough. School for Sidekicksis a story about how to navigate through life as a young boy. The undertones of the book are about loyalty, friendship, and hope for the future. This book was recently released in August! Grade Level 6-8

Just as Long as We’re Together. Just as Long as We’re Together is a story about what it is like to be a young girl at thirteen. The main character, Stephanie, is going through several life changes from going to middle school to the biological changes a girl goes through at thirteen. Stephanie is trying to navigate through this thing called life. Grades 6-8

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High School 

The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make by Sean Covey. The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make helps teens with making informed decisions about school, friendships, parents and other major issues that teens face every day. Grades 9-12

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: The Ultimate Teenage Success Guide. 
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: The Ultimate Teenage Success Guide is a book that helps teens develop habits and connect with the things that matter to them. Please note it does discuss the topic of sex and drugs. Grade Level 8-12+