Chapter Books
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
-Michelle Byram James
“Great for talking about friendship and bullying. I always start out the year with it with my 4th graders.”
-Susan Neel
-Sarah Miller
“Wonder… New book!! I so love it!!!”
Rules by Cynthia Lord
“I love that one of the main characters in this book is an EC child and the relationship that builds.”
-Lisa Travis
“We find friends everywhere and in the least likely people and places.”
-Danielle Dillon
“For my fourth graders, I use Because of Winn-Dixie to show that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes/ages.”
-Cindy Corp
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
“I don’t know how ‘old’ you want to go, but my 7th graders read The Outsiders every year and it is always well-received.”
-Laurel Stone
“Charlotte’s Web to show what friends are willing to do for each other.”
-Cindy Corp
“Friends come in all packages. In the end it is true friendship that endures!”
“Greatest book about friendship ever! We used it in 4th grade as a whole novel study, including vocabulary, comprehension tests, and lots of crafts.”
-Linda Jones Doherty
Farfallina & Marcel by Holly Keller
“It is about how friendship changes as we grow and develop (but told cleverly). It points out that even though we may be different, bigger, etc., we can still be friends because the friendship is greater than the change.”-Karina Darling
Lions of Little Rock by Krisin Levin“The Lions of Little Rock…story of two girls of different races in the 60s and their friendship. Very powerful book.”-Amanda Rayburn
There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar“There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar is one of my favorite read alouds with my 4th graders. The students can relate to the characters, and they learn valuable lessons about true friendship and acceptance from Bradley Chalkers and Jeff Fishkin.”-Melany McCauslin Rios
Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume
“One of my childhood favorite chapter books is Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume. It always reminds me of the song ‘Make New Friends,’ the words of which go, “‘Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold. A circle is round. It has no end. That’s how long I want to be your be your friend.'”
-Josette Soard Nase
The Sorta Sisters by Adrian Fogelin
“I just finished reading The Sorta Sisters by Adrian Fogelin, which is about two girls who have never met but become friends through writing letters back and forth to each other. It would be neat to somehow incorporate reading this book with a pen pal activity.”
-Josette Soard Nase
Surprises According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
“I like any Humphrey the Hamster books. They seem too young for my 4th graders but they love Humphrey. He is a classroom hamster who helps his human classmates with problems ranging from bullying to hurt feelings. He helps out some of the adults, as well. I also like the way the students in Humphrey’s class have personalities and lives that are found in my class.”
-Rachel Geyer
“Tells a story of an unlikely friendship between two boys who rely on each other’s strengths to overcome their own weaknesses.”
-Krista Moser
“Two unlikely misfits find friendship. I have never met a middle school kid that didn’t relate to that book.”
-Charlee Nall Allen
Fly Guy Series by Tedd Arnold
“Great for the friendship between a boy and his pet fly! 1st-2nd grade reading level, but my 4th graders LOVE Fly Guy!”
-April Dawn Davidson
Picture Books
Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka
“Children’s book about friendship…Yo! Yes? It’s great! Not a lot of words, but kids get it. Great for inference!”
-Melanie Stubbs-Kight
Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
“It is about the decision making to BE a friend.”
-Lisa Weber Mattes
Hugs from Pearl by Paul Schmid
“The social worker and I (SLP) co-taught Hugs from Pearl. I got the idea from Pinterest. Super cute for the K-1 age group.”
“I use it with my fourth graders (although it would be appropriate for younger kids, too) because it tells about one boy deciding not to like another boy until he actually spends time with him and gets to know him. They become fast friends.”
-Kim Arnold
“Great book teaching kids about to like themselves and to not be someone they’re not.”-Allison Perani Hogan
Elmer the Elephant by David McKee
“Themes of friendship, differences, acceptance. Easy to do extension art project: tissue paper pieces on a white elephant–cut out, spritz with water, watch the beautiful colors run, shake off tissue when dry – voila! Your very own Elmer!”
-Lynn M. Chiafullo
More Teacher Suggestions
Cork & Fuzz: Best Friends by Dori Chaconas
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Holes by Louis Sachar
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan
The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane Derolf
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli
Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Lee Gauch
The Frog and Toad Collection by Arnold Lobel
Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles
A Taste of Blackberries by Doris Buchanan Smith
If you are working on friendship in your class, then you might also want to download these free friendship cards.
Got more to add? Please tell us your favorite with a comment.
[…] Wonder, The Hundred Dresses, There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom, Fish in a Tree, and so many more in which values such as kindness and friendship, and acceptance are prominent. Include […]