July 30 is International Day of Friendship. On this day, the United Nations attempts to bring people together and battle against division through friendship. Friendship is a common theme used in many novels. It forms the basis of countless stories by shaping characters, driving conflicts, and teaching important lessons about trust, loyalty and compassion. Below is our curated summer reading list that focus on the theme of friendship.
Grades 3-4
Charlotte’s Web
Because of Winn-Dixie
Grades 5-6
Bud, Not Buddy
Shiloh
Bridge to Terabithia
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963
The Giver
Grades 9-12
Of Mice and Men
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Choose one or more of these novels to read this summer. Pair it with our FREE Friendship Traits graphic organizer to help dissect the friendships being portrayed in the story.