Despite differences in abilities, two little girls appreciate each other and are “best friends.”
Friendship
The Whipping Boy
He is known throughout the land as prince Brat–a name he justly deserves. But in his kingdom, it is forbidden to spank the heir to the throne. So an orphan named Jemmy is plucked from the streets to serve as his whipping boy.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.
Bridge To Terabithia (Summer Reading Edition)
A secret world of their own. Jess Aarons’ greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He’s been practicing all summer and can’t wait to see his classmates’ faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys’ side of the playground and outruns everyone. That’s not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Leslie has imagination. Together, she and Jess create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.
Three by the Sea
Three friends, Dog, Cat, and Mouse, live happily—or so they think—in their beach hut by the sea until one night a mysterious Stranger, bearing gifts from the Winds of Change Trading Company, blows into their little world and turns it upside down. Soon Dog, Cat, and Mouse are fighting with each other. Is the foxy Stranger a troublemaker or does he mean well? And will Dog, Cat, and Mouse ever be happy again? Children will find this thought-provoking picture book of true friendship from award-winning Mini Grey, author of Traction Man Is Here! and Traction Man Meets Turbodog, deeply satifying, a story they’ll want to hear—and discuss—again and again.
The Wishcatchers
Antonia is sick of being bullied by Rosie, a mean girl at school. So when new girl Clarissa joins the school, Ant wishes Rosie would pick on her instead. in Ant’s seaside village, however, they have a special way of making wishes…children write down their wish, put it in a lobster creel, and row it out to Wishcatchers Point. Any wishes that disappear really do come true. Is it just coincidence? Or do the Wishcatchers really exist?
When Rosie starts to bully Clarissa, Ant realizes her mistake and tries to help. If they can discover why Rosie is such a bully and then make her wishes come true, maybe they can all become friends. Will the strange shell necklace that Ant has found help them finally to uncover the mystery of the Wishcatchers?
Hooey Higgins and the Shark
Hooey Higgins is in love–with the massive chocolate egg in Mr. Danson’s shop window. But he and his best friend, Twig, have nowhere near the money they need to buy it. Then a shark is spotted off the coast of Shrimpton-on-Sea, and Hooey and Twig come up with the perfect idea to capture the shark and change people to view it. With Will, Hooey’s older brother, in charge of their foolproof plan to lure the shark to shore, the three set off, equipped with ketchup, a cricket, bat, and some rope. What they find, however, is something so amazing that it will blow the shark plan right out of the water!
Steve Voake introduces Hooey Higgins and his hilarious adventures with his friends and family. With Emma Dodson’s illustrations, readers will discover that there’s never a dull moment in this English seaside town!
Scarlet
Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.
Soldier’s Game
Ross is fed up with being on the losing side, as Bruntsfield Primary football team suffer another humiliating defeat. But after football practice each week he goes to visit his grandmother, and this week she has a special present for him. Pat digs out a pair of old football boots and strip which belonged to her father, who once played for Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Ross is amazed that his great-grandfather, Jack, had played for the famous Hearts. As he finds out more about Jack, an incredible story unfolds — a tale of Edinburgh’s young heroes and a battalion of footballers and fans who fought in the First World War at the Battle of the Somme. Based on the true story of the 16th Royal Scots, otherwise known as the ‘Heart of Midlothian Battalion’, this moving book brings a fascinating moment of Scottish history to life. Jim Killgore interweaves the present day life of an ordinary football-mad boy with a story of young men who were sent to war. He focuses on the friendships that develop as the lads play football and learn to become soldiers together, making this remarkable story enjoyable and accessible for young people.
The Island Horse
It’s the early half of the 19th century in coastal Nova Scotia, and almost-ten-year-old Ellie is adjusting to the recent death of her mother. But just when she finally begins to feel happy again, Ellie and her father move to remote Sable Island, a tiny, windblown crescent of grass and sand in the Atlantic. While her father works, Ellie explores the island, feeling alone and furious with her pa for making them leave their beloved home. Even meeting a spirited island girl named Sarah does little to dispel her anger and grief. Then one afternoon, Ellie encounters a wild stallion grazing on the dunes, and slowly forges a secret connection with the beautiful horse she names Orchid. But Ellie soon learns that Orchid and his family are threatened, and it may be up to her to save them. Based on historical fact, this early chapter book is a touching exploration of loss and loneliness and the redemptive power of love and friendship.