5 YA Novels That Explore Friendship In Your Teens

Looking for your next beach read? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve compiled a list of five great young adult novels that are perfect for your summer TBR pile. All five of these picks span different genres, but they’ve got one thing in common: Each story explores teen friendship.

Reading about fictional friendships and all the forms they take — the good, the bad, and the occasionally ugly — can help us manage real-life relationships. And your teen years are the best time to start building friendship skills. Let’s dive into these five YA novels that explore teen friendships!

The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford

The Loudest Silence is a funny, poignant YA novel that reads like a friendship rom-com — a friend-com, if you will.

What It’s About

When Casey moves from Portland to Miami, she’s got one rule: No Friends. Four months ago, her friends dumped her when she suddenly became deaf/hard of hearing, and she’s determined not to let her heart get broken again.  

But her No Friends plan hits a snag when she meets Hayden, a sweet soccer captain who secretly plays Broadway songs in the school closet. Who can resist that?

Casey eventually tells Hayden about her hearing loss and fear that her beautiful singing voice — once her most precious gift — has become stagnant. Hayden confesses that, while his family expects him to carry on their fútbol dynasty, he dreams of performing on Broadway.

Together, they start making music. Beautiful music. Because with each other, they feel seen.

By the end, they find the courage to perform a duet at the Winter Talent Show — because this book is a literal ode to friendship.

Why You Should Read It

This book is so funny. I lived for the pop culture references and quippy dialogue. Langford wrote the novel at age 17, so Casey, Hayden, and their squad actually talk like teens. The authenticity doesn’t stop there: The characters are skillfully drawn, with a range of unique identities that reflect real life.

I also love how Langford portrays an intimate, platonic boy-girl friendship. That’s rare in many YA novels. As Hayden puts it, “Why is there such emphasis on romantic love anyway? Platonic love is just as valid and meaningful.”

Friendship Takeaway

Casey and Hayden bond when they choose to be vulnerable with each other. Vulnerability means being real with people you trust: Share your desires, feelings, and weaknesses. Here’s how to start:

• Practice being vulnerable with someone you know you can trust, like an existing close friend, a safe adult, or a counselor, suggests Marisa G. Franco in Platonic: How Understanding Your Attachment Style Can Help You Make and Keep Friends.
• With new friends, slowly test out being vulnerable — like dipping your toes into a pool. For example, if you’re like Hayden, and feel vulnerable about having an anxiety disorder, you could start by sharing something small: “Sometimes I feel anxious going to a big party. Do you ever feel like that?” If they react in a supportive way, you can wade a little deeper into the vulnerability pool.
• Vulnerability doesn’t mean oversharing. The difference is in being vulnerable with people you feel you can trust, rather than disclosing all your secrets to strangers.
• If people don’t react well to your vulnerability, move on. But studies show that most people will think more highly of you for revealing the “beautiful mess” that’s your life — because they can relate.

Heartstopper, Volume 1, by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper, a kind-hearted graphic novel series, follows two teens and their friend group at a British high school. (It’s also an amazing TV show on Netflix.)

What It’s About

Meet Nick: a smart, artistic introvert who’s endured his share of bullying at Truham Grammar (High) School. When he’s paired up with rugby player Charlie, he doesn’t expect they’ll hit it off. But Charlie turns out to be a lovable golden retriever. And sparks fly.  

As Nick and Charlie spend more time together — playing rugby and video games, roughhousing in the snow — their friendship deepens, as do complications. 

Still smarting from old wounds, Nick questions how Charlie really feels about him. Meanwhile, Charlie likes Nick way more than his other friends…which makes him question, well, everything.

How much are the two teens willing to risk to find answers? 

Why You Should Read It

Reading Heartstoppers is like being wrapped in a cozy blanket. Although Nick and Charlie face just enough problems to keep the plot interesting, the graphic novel radiates a sense of safety and belonging. I want to live in Oseman’s universe — so it’s a good thing there are plenty of sequels, a TV show, and an upcoming movie.

Before it was traditionally published by Hachette, Heartstoppers started out as a webcomic. It was so popular that when Oseman crowdfunded her print edition, she reached her funding goal in less than two hours.

Bonus: You can read this graphic novel in two hours at the beach or pool.

Friendship Takeaway

Let yourself grow with your friendships! Meeting new people teaches us new things about ourselves, as Nick and Charlie discover. Here’s how to embrace that self-exploration:  

• Try new things. Join campus clubs and activities that stretch your comfort zone.
• Keep a daily journal. Jot down your experiences and feelings.
• Practice self-compassion. What would you say to a good friend in your situation? How would you support them in their growth? Give yourself the same kindness.
• Grant yourself permission to discover what an authentic life looks like for you. Surround yourself with people who support you.

We Used to Be Friends by Amy Spalding  

Told from two teen girls’ POV, We Used to Be Friends is a poignant exploration of best-friend break-ups, self-discovery, and the messiness of growing up. 

What It’s About 

James and Kat have been best friends since kindergarten. But when the girls hit senior year, everything changes — including their once-unbreakable bond.

The two girls are an odd couple: Kat is bubbly and popular; James is quiet and competitive. Their different personalities have never been a problem before, but lately, they don’t know how to speak each other’s language.

After her parents split up, James is left reeling. She doesn’t know how to tell her best friend that her mom has moved out, or that she no longer believes in love. Besides, shouldn’t Kat notice her pain without James having to spell it out?

Kat, meanwhile, has fallen in love for the first time, and she wants to celebrate with her BFF. But James doesn’t seem to care. In fact, James’ texts are even terser than usual. Why is she pushing her away?

As senior year progresses, the teens face the unthinkable: life without their platonic soulmate.

Why You Should Read It

Friendship break-ups can be just as devastating as romantic ones, but pop culture doesn’t often acknowledge this — which is why Spalding’s novel is so powerful. It’s also a lot of fun to read, thanks to the witty prose and lovable characters. 

The premise might sound simple, but the story is told with intricate, emotional nuance. Spalding helps us understand where each girl is coming from. I was practically shouting at the page, “Just talk to each other and make up already!” But no spoilers here; you’ll have to read the ending to find out if they do.

Friendship Takeaway

A big reason friends break up is because they don’t know how to deal with conflict. “Studies suggest that people are more likely to avoid problems with friends than with romantic partners,” Franco noted in Platonic. Here’s how to have a healthy conversation about a friendship problem, according to Franco: 

• First, process your own feelings and clarify your goals. What do you hope to achieve by talking to your friend?
• When you start the conversation, emphasize how much you care about the friendship.
• Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements (e.g., “I felt hurt when you didn’t show up to my party,” rather than “you never show up for me”).
• Listen to your friends’ point of view. Be ready to accept your role in the problem.
• If you feel triggered during the conversation, pause and breathe.
• Ask for the behavior you need from your friend in the future: “Next time, can you tell me why you can’t come to the party, so I can understand better?”

Elatsoe By Darcy Little Badger

Elatsoe is a clever paranormal “whodunit” that seamlessly integrates vampires, ghosts, and other mythological creatures into our world.

What It’s About

Elatsoe can wake the dead. The skill has been passed down for generations: Her grandma’s companion was the ghost of a wooly mammoth, and Elatsoe’s is the ghost of her childhood dog. She can wake any ghost she wants, even prehistoric bugs.

But Elatsoe will never, ever wake the ghosts of humans — because unlike animals, human ghosts are vengeful.  

So, when her cousin is murdered, waking his ghost isn’t an option, even though his spirit speaks to her in dreams. She does the only thing she can: sets out to solve his murder, along with her best friend Jay.

Despite being descended from fairy royalty, Jay doesn’t have any special powers, except the ability to create a small orb of light. But his loyalty and optimism make him the perfect companion as Elatsoe pries into the sinister small town that killed her cousin.  

It’ll take all her ghost-raising skills and backup from her friends (including young vampire Al) to survive.

Why You Should Read It

I love how this book takes us to an unforgettable universe (at one point, Elatsoe visits a prehistoric underworld where whale spirits glide overhead). But Elatsoe is also grounded in everyday teen experiences, like eating a fast-melting ice cream cone with your BFF.

Unlike some of our other recommendations, friendship isn’t necessarily the theme of the story — but the relationship between Elatsoe and Jay is so heartwarming, it earned a spot on our list. Plus, it’s a great summer read. Just wait for the spine-tingling climax.

Friendship Takeaway 

Be there for each other! You and your bestie may not be solving paranormal crimes (or maybe you are! I don’t know your life!), but you can find plenty of ways to have each other’s backs.

• Offer support: a ride to the airport, a study session, a listening ear, a bowl of soup on a sick day, or even a text to check in.
• The level of support you offer should match the depth of your friendship (e.g., Ellie and Jay are childhood friends). Don’t burn yourself out by being overly generous to everyone you meet.
• Tell friends when you need help. Sometimes people don’t know what we need until we ask them for it.
• There should be a balanced give and take in your friendship. Step back and set boundaries if someone is asking too much from you.

Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds

Early Departures is a bittersweet, surprisingly funny story about loss, life, and the eternal power of friendship.

What It’s About

After his parents’ deaths, Jamal’s relationship with his best friend, Q, fractures under the weight of his grief. Two years pass. Then, just as he and Q have their worst fight yet…Q dies. Jamal has forever lost his chance to reconcile with Q.

Or so he thinks.

A mysterious Center temporarily reanimates Q, restoring him to life for a few precious weeks before he returns to the dead. Jamal has one last chance to make things right.

Except Q’s mother is determined to protect her son from the truth of his death, and she makes Jamal vow to keep the secret. He pretends everything’s fine as he and Q go to amusement parks and swap jokes.

But time is ticking down. How can Jamal fix their friendship without telling Q everything? And worse, can Jamal handle losing yet another person he loves?

Why You Should Read It

It surprised me that a book about grief is this funny, but Early Departures will rip your heart out and make you burst out laughing, all in the same scene. “I think it’s so important to balance what’s happening in the world with heart and humor and hope,” Reynolds said on his Instagram.

It’s a fast-paced read. Some chapters are only one sentence long, while others are transcripts of Jamal and Quincy’s comedy videos on social media. Whether you listen to the audiobook (it’s also excellent) or read the print edition, Jamal’s first-person narration is warm, intimate, and unforgettable.

If you’re like me, you’ll tear through Early Departures and fall in love with its cast of characters. (Just keep tissues handy.)

Friendship Takeaway

Jamal is so afraid of losing more people, he pushes away those he loves most. He realizes he has to love, and live, fully — even at the risk of pain.

If you feel like your mental health is making it hard for you to make or keep friends, there are lots of people ready to help you:

• Talk to your guidance counselor if you’re in high school.
• Take advantage of your college’s mental health resources — most universities offer free counseling.
• If you’re not in school, find a counselor through the American Psychological Association. You can find counselor reviews on sites such as Vitals, Healthgrades, and ZocDoc.
• Join an online, peer support platform like Togetherall.
• Contact a hotline. The national 988 hotline is free and confidential, and The Trevor Project offers confidential crisis counseling for teens: call 1-866-488-7386 or text ‘START’ to 678-678. USF students can also call 813-974-2831 and reach a licensed mental health care professional 24/7.

Make Your Own Friendship Story

Looking for more book recs? Check out our 2024 list of YA books perfect for the beach, or review our guide on summer reading for the college-bound student.

Want to build your social skills? Read our posts on interpersonal skills and how to make friends with social anxiety.

Ready to write your own friendship story? If you’re a student at USF, you’ll find plenty of ways to meet your people. Visit our Center for Student Involvement to get started!