Books About Making Friends · 301 titles considered

The Best Making Friends Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about making friends? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Making Friends

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1997

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

By J.K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Harry Potter series

A boy discovers his magical destiny at a mysterious school, facing friends and foes alike.

Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (1997)FCBG Children’s Book Award (1997)Birmingham Cable Children’s Book Award (1998)Young Telegraph Paperback of the Year (1998)Carnegie Medal (1998)British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year (1997)Sheffield Children’s Book Award (1998)Whitaker’s Platinum Book Award (2001)BookTrust's 100 Best Books for Children (2013)ALA Notable Children's Books (1999)Publishers Weekly Best Books (1998)Parenting magazine Book of the Year Award (1998)ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (1999)School Library Journal Best Books of the Year (1998)

320 pages· 78,436 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 11,707,778 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Sale price

$1699

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12

The Secret Garden

A lonely girl discovers a hidden garden with a mysterious key.

352 pages· 80,729 words· Est. 11 hour read

6.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,194,235 ratings

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2003

The Tale of Despereaux

By Kate DiCamillo, Timothy Basil Ering (Illustrator)

A mouse, a rat, and a girl embark on a journey of light and destiny.

Newbery Medal (2004)

272 pages· 32,226 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

5.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 217,928 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1977

Bridge to Terabithia

By Katherine Paterson, Donna Diamond (Illustrator)

A friendship forged in imagination faces a tragic test, altering two worlds forever.

Newbery Medal (1978)

128 pages· 32,911 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 600,665 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

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Sale price

$2279

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

New Kid

By Jerry Craft · Book #1 in the New Kid series

A young artist navigates two worlds, struggling to fit in at a new school.

Newbery Medal (2020)Coretta Scott King Award (2020)

249 pages· 14,169 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 62,474 ratings

$23.99Save 5%

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Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!

By Ben Clanton · Book #1 in the Narwhal and Jelly series

A narwhal befriends a jellyfish and they go on adventures together.

64 pages· 825 words· Est. 13 min read

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 14,077 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

The Terrible Two

By Mac Barnett, Jory John, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · The Terrible Two series

Two pranksters clash in a sleepy town, igniting a hilarious prank war. Who will outwit whom?

240 pages· 28,544 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 12,560 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Caleb and Kit

By Beth Vrabel

A boy with cystic fibrosis befriends a mysterious girl, challenging his sheltered life.

Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year (2018)VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers (2017)Cybil Award (2017)Diverse Books Club (2018)

272 pages· 57,771 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 553 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2014

Quinny & Hopper

By Adriana Brad Schanen, Greg Swearingen (Illustrator) · Quinny & Hopper series

Can two opposites defy school rules and stay friends amidst bullies and chaos?

240 pages· 29,882 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 765 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2020

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

By Lyla Lee, Dung Ho (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Mindy Kim series

A young girl starts a snack business to fit in and faces unexpected challenges.

96 pages· 9,421 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 904 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

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Making Friends Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about making friends for the youngest readers and listeners.

Sale price

$599

The Snowman Shuffle

Ages 1–4 · 2015

Dance through winter with playful rhymes and fun moves.

Sale price

$799

Bear's Scare

Ages 0–3 · 2018

A tidy bear discovers an unexpected friend in a messy web.

Sale price

$899

Everybody Needs a Buddy

Ages 2–4 · 2019

Discover how animals show friendship in this delightful tale of buddies helping each other.

Sale price

$799

My First Day

Ages 3–6 · 2015

A boy's first school day unfolds with new stories and friendships.

Sale price

$999

A Unicorn Named Sparkle

Ages 2–6 · 2016

A girl orders a unicorn, but what arrives isn't what she expected.

Sale price

$599

Ladybug Girl Makes Friends

Ages 0–3 · 2012

A girl in a ladybug costume discovers the joy of friendship.

Sale price

$799

Boo Who?

Ages 2–5 · 2017

A shy ghost struggles to fit in until a hidden talent emerges.

Sale price

$799

Train!

Ages 0–6 · 2014

Can Little Elephant and friends find a way to play together despite their different toy preferences?

Sale price

$799

I'm Not Hatching

Ages 2–6 · 2016

Egg refuses to hatch, fearing the world outside.

Sale price

$1599

The Steves

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Two puffins named Steve clash over who is the 'Stevest.'

Sale price

$1699

A New Friend for Sparkle

Ages 4–7 · 2017

A unicorn fears losing his best friend to a new companion.

Sale price

$799

My Preschool

Ages 2–5 · 2008

A preschool day full of fun, friends, and farewells.

View all making friends board books

Browse by age

Making Friends Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about making friends for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1699

Just a Teacher's Pet

Ages 4–7 · 2015

A new student challenges Little Critter's patience, but friendship awaits.

Sale price

$499

Katy Duck Makes a Friend

Ages 4–6 · 2011

Can a dancing duck and a rough boy find common ground to play together?

Sale price

$599

The Shy Little Kitten

Ages 4–6 · 2015

A group of kittens go on an adventure with various animals they meet along the way.

Sale price

$1999

The Grizzly Bear Who Lost His GRRRRR!

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A champion bear loses his growl before a big contest. Can he find it in time?

Sale price

$1699

To the Sea

Ages 3–6 · 2015

A boy befriends a lost blue whale and embarks on a journey to return him home.

Sale price

$1699

Blue Chameleon

Ages 2–6 · 2010

A chameleon seeks friendship but struggles to fit in. Will he find his match?

Sale price

$1699

Sadie and the Silver Shoes

Ages 3–7 · 2019

Sadie's prized shoe is lost. How will she cope with just one?

Sale price

$1695

Albie Newton

Ages 5–9 · 2018

A child genius's plan to make friends turns into chaos. Can he fix it?

Sale price

$1699

Enemy Pie

Ages 5–8 · 2000

A boy's summer changes when he uses Enemy Pie to turn a foe into a friend.

Sale price

$1899

Do You Want to Be My Friend?

Ages 0–6 · 1971

A mouse seeks friendship, following tails to find the perfect pal.

The Truth About My Unbelievable School...

Sale price

$1299

The Truth About My Unbelievable School...

Ages 6–9 · 2018

A school tour reveals bizarre secrets. Is it all true or a wild tale?

Sale price

$1999

Spike, the Mixed-up Monster

Ages 4–8 · 2012

A scary salamander learns fear isn't the key to friendship.

View all making friends picture books

Browse by age

Making Friends Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about making friends for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$799

Katie and the Cupcake Cure

Ages 8–12 · 2011

Left out, Katie forms a new club with unexpected friends. Sweet beginnings await.

Sale price

$499

The Secret Promise

Ages 7–10 · 2012

Four princesses work together to rescue animals in need and uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious events in the kingdom of Mistberg Forest

Sale price

$1799

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Ages 12–18 · 2018

A trip to Iran transforms Darius, challenging his identity and friendships.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Sale price

$2499

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Ages 13–17 · 2012

Two teens form a life-changing friendship, uncovering truths about themselves.

Sale price

$1099

Radio Silence

Ages 13–18 · 2016

A podcast shatters their world, forcing them to confront identity and secrets.

Sale price

$799

Forget Me Not

Ages 9–12 · 2017

A girl with Tourette syndrome navigates a new school, friendship, and self-acceptance amid constant change.

Sale price

$1699

Generation Misfits

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A girl finds friendship and faces hidden struggles through J-Pop.

Sale price

$899

Save Me a Seat

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Two boys unite against a school bully, discovering unexpected friendship.

Sale price

$799

The Startup Squad

Ages 8–11 · 2019

Four girls must unite to win a lemonade stand competition, facing friendship and business challenges.

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Sale price

$2299

The Way Home

Ages 7–10 · 2004

A lonely owl named Owly befriends a worm and together they have many adventures.

Sale price

$799

The Season of Styx Malone

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Two brothers' adventure spirals as secrets threaten their wildest dreams.

Sale price

$999

See You in the Cosmos

Ages 10–14 · 2017

A boy's quest to launch his iPod into space uncovers family secrets.

View all making friends chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about imagination and play Books about coming of age Books about cystic fibrosis Books about death, grief, and bereavement Books about diseases Books about drawing Books about jellyfish Books about journeys and voyages

Our 10 Favorite Books About Making Friends

Great books, picked for their age.

Making Friends Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Making Friends Picture Books

Making Friends Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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