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Amelia wants to spend just one summer week in Florida. But her always-working father won’t agree. How Amelia finds consolation and friendship in the art studio to which she escapes her too quiet house is wholly plausible and quite touching. Characters develop fully as does the plot in spare, evocative, and effective language.

A young soldier narrates the story of how he met a podgy pudgy dog soon named Stubby. Stubby and Corporal Conroy soon became inseparable friends and more; Stubby was adopted into Conroy’s regiment to become a heroic soldier in his own right. This true story of World War I is illustrated in light hues with gentle lines, accompanied by a straightforward text. An afterward includes a photo of Stubby and provides a bit of additional information.

Two friends, Fox and Chick, are quite different. But they find common ground to enjoy a boat ride, chocolate cake, and even the sunrise, in three short, generously, gently illustrated chapters. As with their first adventure, The Party: and Other Stories (opens in a new window), Fox and Chick star in short tales presented in easy graphic novel style just right for readers just starting longer chapter books.

Paul plants and waters his crops but despairs when the rain doesn’t come. “But Paul is not alone.” A cow, donkey, and mole who have also watched Paul’s hard work bring buckets and barrels just before the rain begins resulting in lush crops and a jubilant Paul. Dramatic illustrations are naïve and extremely effective in conveying a range of emotions.

Cyril is the only squirrel in Lake Park; that is until he meets Pat. Pat has a different kind of tail and looks a bit scruffy but the duo enjoy each other’s company until one of the  park’s other inhabitants informs Cyril that Pat is a rat and no squirrel can befriend one. The rhyming saga is illustrated in Gravett’s signature style to complement and extend the droll telling.

The adventures of a big black dog and a small white canine demonstrate a range of opposites — feelings and activities. The nearly wordless tale of adventure and friendship is expressively, even dramatically, illustrated and certain to encourage original storytelling.

Henry has been on the lookout for a friend. A friend who shares. A friend who listens. Maybe even a friend who likes things to stay the same and all in order, as Henry does. But on a day full of too close and too loud, when nothing seems to go right, will Henry ever find a friend — or will a friend find him? With insight and warmth, this heartfelt story from the perspective of a boy on the autism spectrum celebrates the everyday magic of friendship.

Future rock star or friendless misfit? That’s no choice at all. Twelve-year-old Apple grapples with being different, with friends and backstabbers, and with following her dreams. A story about family, friendship, popularity, and going your own way.

Charlotte and Ben — friends connected only by an online Scrabble game — will intersect in unexpected ways as they struggle to navigate the turmoil of middle school. A sensitive look at friendship, bullying and coming of age.

When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visible outside their classroom window, Dèja can’t help but feel confused. She sets off on a journey of discovery, with new friends Ben and Sabeen by her side. A story about young people who weren’t alive to witness 9/11, but begin to realize how much it colors their every day.

Beaver is good at many things, just not at making friends. That changes when Raccoon and Beaver make a snowman (actually, a snow animal!) together. Their collaboration helps them realize that they have lots in common — including friendship. Lighthearted illustrations and text present a snowy adventure that grows a friendship.

When Bear invites Izzy, a small chipmunk, to his home, she knows that it must be very important; Bear never asks for much. Izzy and other animal friends brave a blizzard to get to Bear’s to share a very special occasion. Illustrations from varied perspectives add humor and heart to the tale of warm friendship on a cold night.

Duck wants Bear to play in the snow with him, but Bear prefers the indoors. Then Bear gets the sniffles but Duck takes care of Bear; that is, until Bear has had enough. Will Bear return the favor when his neighbor comes down with a cold? Understated humor in text and comic illustrations are hallmarks of the latest Bear and Duck tale.

When Louie’s father brings home a sickly, premature baby miniature donkey, he’s not sure he can do anything for it. But Louie falls for the small animal and Winslow not only survives but thrives as does a friendship with a new and quirky girl. How Winslow helps both Louie and Nora is told with heart.

Merci Suarez lives with her parents and older brother and her grandparents, Abuela and Lolo. She’s a hardworking, good kid who cares about her family and her community. How she navigates the changes that she and her family confront is both touching and plausible. Winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal.

Louisiana Elefante lives with her peripatetic grandmother, moving frequently. But at long last, Louisiana finds family, friends, and home in this touching, eccentric novel. Readers may remember Louisiana from Raymie Nightingale (opens in a new window), but this is Louisiana’s own story told in her unique and memorable voice.

Alberto lives in a remote town called Allora. After his family is gone, Alberto is lonely until he rescues a desperate boy. They share a folktale and see it come true in this evocative store with elements of magic realism.

Only Livy sees the greenish creature when she and her family visit Gran in Australia. They see her talking to a chicken. But Bob is not only not a chicken, he’s quite special. Told from both Livy and Bob’s point of view, this handsomely illustrated and well told tale is fresh and intriguing.

Like other kids, Vera just wants to fit in. But going to a Russian camp is not what Vera thought it would be at all. Readers will recognize feeling like an outsider (and get a taste of Russian culture) in this fresh and engaging graphic novel.

Vernon, the frog, shares small everyday adventures with his friends Skunk, and Porcupine (first introduced in A Home for Bird (opens in a new window)). Quietly told and delicately illustrated these charming tales are reminiscent of Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad stories.

Do classroom pets hear, see, and do what the children do in Ms. Maxwell’s class? You bet they do! And they even can help students out with a science project. Recognizable school activities and easy text make this just right for recently independent readers.

Short, episodic chapters are narrated by Barkus’ friend. She and her family take good of care of Barkus and his feline friend, Baby. Humorous illustrations and uncomplicated narration continue the familiar adventures of a girl and her animal friends first introduced in Barkus (opens in a new window).

Which animal is brave enough to give poor, prickly Hedgehog a hug? Rabbit and Raccoon make excuses; Fox wants to munch Hedgehog. But Skunk who also needs a hug gently shares one with Hedgehog and they both feel much better. Sweet, dramatic illustrations combine with sensitive text in this tale of friendship and feelings.

Edward, a giraffe, is ashamed of his long neck until he meets Cyrus, a tortoise who laments he has no neck. This hilarious tale of animals unhappy with their features (and very relatable!) is cleverly told through formal language coupled with well-placed, textured illustrations.