A GIRL AND HER UNICORN

What would you do with one magical wish?
When Phoebe unexpectedly frees a vain unicorn entrapped by the beauty of her own reflection, the bright-eyed four grader is granted a single wish. After addressing the irony of having her initial requests for “infinity more wishes”, “infinity dollars,” or “superpowers” rejected as being “unrealistic” by a magical unicorn, Phoebe ultimately makes an impetuous wish that secures the magical unicorn as her best friend
Despite her narcissistic tendencies, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils is clearly fond of her new obligatory human best friend. And Phoebe, though young, is nobody’s fool. Together the two share all the sort of adventures expected of a young girl and her imaginary friend (including sleepovers and magical hair braiding), with the added benefit of having other people acknowledge the magical friend’s existence.
Told through a series of witty comic strips, Phoebe and Her Unicorn is sure to appeal to fans of classic comic strips such as Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, and Garfield, as well as contemporary comic stories like Babymouse. With casual references to video blogging, popular cat video trends, texting, and smartphone use, Dana Simpson has created a charming modern day heroine for a new generation.
Grades 3+

THE TITLE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS

Seldom does a mystery start by letting the reader know who committed the crime but Jennifer Wolf Kam in her book Devin Rhodes Is Dead does just that. The story is told by Cass who had been Devin’s best friend and who now feels responsible for her friend’s death. Actually her long-time best friend and fellow wearer of the best friend heart charm, Devin had dumped her in favor of a more popular girlfriend and the usual, boys. The story is told in alternating chapters that alternate between “before’ and “after” and include along with the story of a friendship gone wrong, a bit of romance and the supernatural. Not always the most unbiased of narrators, Cass does tell an intriguing story. 

Best for readers in grades 6-8.

STORY OF A GIRL

Here is a story of a twelve-year-old girl named Mysti Murphy who lives with her loving parents and sister. Never mind that her mother hasn't left the house for years, and her best friend Anibal Gomez is doing a social experiment where he pretends to be a hipster and not to know her so he can go out with popular girl Sandy. Mysti is determined to stay positive despite everything and think about her plans to live in Paris when she grows up. But things get worse before they get better. When Mysti's father - the only one who can leave the house and buy groceries - ends up in the hospital, Mysti has to change the story of her life. Here is a story of a girl who can muster the courage to go grocery shopping, stand up to her bullies, and make a new friend.

Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington is a book about a girl who will teach you all about courage, while telling you a joke or two. She shows us that even if things don't always end up perfect, there is always a solution.

For grades 6 and up.

BETTER OFF FRIENDS

Noah and Macallan have been friends since junior high, after Macallan takes pity on the new boy and invites him to sit with her during lunch. The two discover that they share a favorite TV show, and a new friendship is formed. But when they start high school, things get more complicated. First, things get tricky when Levi starts dating Macallan's other best friend. Then, Levi starts spending more time with the guys and having less and less time for Macallan. And through it all, they have to deal with everyone's automatic (and awkward) assumption that they are dating. Will the two manage to stay friends through the ups and downs of high school, and will they be able to prove that boys and girls can be just friends?

Elizabeth Eulberg's novel perfectly captures the transition from middle school to high school and the friendships that inevitably are made stronger or perish in the aftermath. It is a story of friendship and romance, told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Noah and Macallan that is at times heartbreaking and heartwarming, and definitely a page-turner.

For grades 7 and up.

I REPEAT, DON’T CHEAT!!!

Jessica and Lizzie are good friends. They share the playground at school and do activities together, but Jessica starts to worry when she realizes that Lizzie is a cheater. Lizzie tries to cheat by copying from Jessica’s spelling test and she gets very confused and don’t know what to do…. Jessica cares about the consequences she may receive from accusing her friend. If she talks, her friend would be angry with her, and if she says nothing she will feel dishonest . Lizzie returns to cheat one more time and that is when Jessica loses her temper. The teacher intervenes and Jessica tells the whole truth. The message that this book presents is excellent for a class discussion. Ages 4-8. Written by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Arthur Howard.