Friendship is one of the most important themes in children's literature. From the Peter Rabbit books to Winnie-the-Pooh, many of our favorite works for younger readers have retained their meaningfulness precisely because they taught us about how empathize, communicate, and play in our earliest relationships. The books we selected for our Best Books for Kids of 2017 list include a story about a child's love for an oak tree, the tale of a lost pet, and a book about growing up in 1960s Los Angeles. Have other friendship books you love? Let us know in the comment section below.
 

Armstrong & Charlie by Steven B. Frank
Brought together by desegregation in the 1970s, two middle-schoolers unexpectedly form a friendship in this heartfelt and comical coming of age story.

Bertolt by Jacques Goldstyn and illustrated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick
Inviting and immersive colored pencil drawings bring to life a small child's love for an old oak tree.

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk 
Curious and loving Crow is determined to discover the truth about her birth, but will her search lead the family and home she loves into danger? Higher-level readers will appreciate the engaging and atmospheric writing.

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner and translated by Joe Johnson
What's a fox to do when he can't catch a chicken for dinner? Hatch his own, of course! But this is a lot harder than he thought, especially when they think he is Mom.

Bolivar by Sean Rubin
In this ode to NYC, there really IS an antiquities-loving dinosaur living next door to Sybil!

Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas by Laura James and illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans
A silly, high-stakes adventure ensues when a water-fearing, jam-tart-loving pug follows his nose to the next picnic basket and gets separated from his girl.

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Emily Hughes
Two charming brothers use their wits in their daily escapades. They gather friends for an impromptu party, discover the rewards of hard work, and more.

Colette's Lost Pest by Isabelle Arsenault
Nervous about making friends, Colette invents a lost pet whose description gradually grows to be as fanciful as the brightly colored accents in these otherwise sepia-toned illustrations.

The End of the Wild by Nicole Helget
Will fracking destroy Fern’s beloved forest, or will it bring industry back to a tired town? In clear, heartfelt prose, this narrative raises difficult questions and offers no easy answers.

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
Malú isn't the señorita Mom wants her to be. But a new school and new friends push the boundaries of her creativity and redefine her world.

Fish Girl by David Wiesner & Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by David Wiesner
A budding friendship helps a young mermaid test the boundaries of her manmade prison.

Flashlight Night by Matt Forrest Esenwine
Three kids shine a light on their imaginations without ever leaving their backyard. Accompanied by contrasting drawings and a rhythmic text. 

Flowers for Sarajevo by John McCutcheon and illustrated by Kristy Caldwell
A bereaved young boy rediscovers strength and purpose through random acts of kindness in this honest look at war-torn Sarajevo.

The Goat by Anne Fleming
When Kid catches a glimpse of a goat on her NYC rooftop, she embarks on a quest that involves her entire quirky community, leading them to face their fears and take a leap of faith.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
A psychic, a bully, and a crush help a young Filipino boy find his inner bayani (hero).

It All Comes Down to This by Karen English
In the midst of the racial tension of 1960s Los Angeles, Sophie—a 12-year-old African American girl—grows closer to her college-bound sister as her family begins to fall apart.

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Laura Carlin
Soft watercolors complement this warmhearted story of the friendship between a young immigrant boy and an elderly pigeon-keeper.

Little Fox in the Forrest by Stephanie Graegin
In this wordless and endearing picture book, two friends venture out into an enchanted forest to rescue a beloved stuffed animal.

Me & Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King
As developers encroach upon his family farm, a nature-loving boy discovers a creature whose very existence threatens the environment.

The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius
Sally Jones—author, first engineer, loyal friend, and gorilla—finds herself in the middle of a page-turning mystery of daring, wit, and intrigue.

Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Simone Shin
No one but Niko understands his art, until a young girl recognizes the meaning of his abstract style.

One Trick Pony by Nathan Hale
In a future where all technology is under attack, a robot pony may be the key to saving humanity.

Pandora by Victoria Turnbull
An injured bird chases away the clouds of loneliness for a resourceful fox. Lush, scenic images echo Pandora's changing emotions.

Posted by John David Anderson
A sticky-note war at Branton Middle School leads students to confront the power of their words. Can Frost and his friends survive the war, or will it tear them apart?

The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel & Alexis Siegel and  illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller & Boya Sun
Five imperiled worlds will be rendered extinct unless five ancient and mysterious beacons can be lit in the wake of erupting wars during which three unlikely heroes make surprising discoveries about their homes and themselves.

Scar Island by Dan Geimenhart
After a freak accident frees them from adult supervision, boys at a reformatory school fend for themselves in this action-packed adventure about power struggles and redemption.

The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
In an alternate history of New York, three kids try to solve a modern-world puzzle and complete a treasure hunt laid into the streets and buildings of the city.

Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
Two sisters, a large bear, a pair of scissors, and a whole lot of courage save an enchanted forest in this retelling of a little-known fairy tale.

There's a Pest in the Garden by Jan Thomas
Duck and his friends defend their garden from a mysterious vegetable thief. A funny first reader.

Thornhill by Sam Smy
A wrenching, chilling ghost story told in two voices: one through diary entries, the other through black-and-white illustrations.

Tony by Ed Galing and illustrated by Eric E. Stead
Pencil drawings softly evoke a bygone era and a childhood friendship with the milkman’s horse.

Train I Ride by Paul Mosier
Transient but meaningful relationships turn strangers into family aboard a cross-country train.

When My Sister Started Kissing by Helen Frost
Claire must deal with a summer of changes in this sweet and appealing coming-of age-novel told in verse from three distinct perspectives.

A Whisper of Horses by Zillah Bethell
In a post-apocalyptic Great Britain, after her mother's death Serendipity, about twelve, leaves Lahn Dan and teams up with an orphan, Tab, hoping to find horses surviving somewhere.

The Wolf, the Duck & the Mouse by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Textured illustrations blend perfectly with this silly story of Duck and Mouse setting up house in Wolf's stomach.

Wolfie & Fly by Cary Fagan and illustrated by Zoe Si
An aloof girl, who prefers facts over friends, reluctantly teams up with a persistent neighbor for a cardboard submarine adventure.

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe by Megumi Iwasa and illustrated by Jun Takabatake
Bored and lonely, Giraffe exchanges letters with Penguin, and a long-distance friendship is born. Hilarity ensues when Giraffe tries to imagine what Penguin looks like.