Best Middle Grade Books about Friendship (2026): 5 Compared

The best middle grade books about friendship know that friendship at this age is complicated: best friends clash, fads strain loyalties, and sometimes the bravest thing is speaking up. We compared five friendship books by listed reading age, grade level, page count and series, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Hello, Universe by Kelly	9.8/10	Buy
2	TBH #5 by Greenwald	9.7/10	Buy
3	The Friendship War	9.7/10	Buy
4	Just Right Jillian	9.7/10	Buy
5	Friendship Troubles Guide	9.5/10	Buy

1

Hello, Universe by Kelly

Erin Entrada Kelly·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Four young lives weave together in a funny and poignant story about unexpected friendships, told from four points of view.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Newbery Medal
• Told from four intertwining points of view, per the description
• 352 pages, the longest pick here

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The description involves bullying, so preview the themes
• 352 pages may be long for a reluctant reader

2

TBH #5 by Greenwald

Lisa Greenwald·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Three BFFs navigate new friends and peer pressure in a story told entirely in text messages, emojis and notes.

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Pros

• Told entirely in text messages, emojis and notes, per the description
• Book 5 of 8 with 256 pages
• Reading age of 8 to 12 years covers the full middle grade range

Cons

• Book 5 of 8 sits mid-series, so new readers may want earlier books
• The description centers on peer pressure and ranking, so preview the themes
• 256 pages sit in the middle of the range

3

The Friendship War

Andrew Clements·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Two best friends' bond is strained when a button fad sweeps the school in this 208-page school story.

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Pros

• A school story about fads and the friendships that outlast them, per the description
• Customer-listed reading age of 8 to 10 years and grade level 3 to 7
• 208 pages suit readers who want a quicker read

Cons

• The reading age is marked as from customers rather than stated by the publisher
• The listing states no series, so it ends with one book
• 208 pages is the second shortest pick

4

Just Right Jillian

Nicole D. Collier·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fifth grader learns to speak up and be herself in a heartfelt story about family, friendship and confidence.

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Pros

• The listing states it was named a CCBC Best of the Year
• Reading age of 8 to 12 years and grade level 3 to 7
• 224 pages from Versify, published 2023

Cons

• The listing states no series, so it ends with one book
• Newest pick here from a debut author
• 224 pages sit in the middle of the range

5

Friendship Troubles Guide

Patti Kelley Criswell·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An advice guide with quizzes, tips and real-girl stories about fights, jealousy and being left out.

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Pros

• Quizzes, tips and stories from real girls, per the description
• The only advice guide here, not a novel
• Revised edition from American Girl Publishing, published 2013

Cons

• The spec table lists grade level Preschool to 2, contradicting the reading age of 8 to 11
• 88 pages, the shortest pick here
• Advice format will not suit a reader wanting a story

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Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 18 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five listings state a reading age and a grade level. The Smart Girl’s Guide is the odd one: its spec table lists grade level Preschool to 2 alongside a customer-listed reading age of 8 to 11 years. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best middle grade books about friendship

Match the reading age to the reader

The listed reading ages run 8 to 10 on The Friendship War, 8 to 11 on the Smart Girl’s Guide, 8 to 12 on TBH #5 and Just Right Jillian, and 9 to 11 on Hello, Universe. All cover the middle grades, with grade level 3 to 7 on four of the five. For readers who struggle to pick up books, see middle grade books for reluctant readers.

Novel or advice guide

Four are novels: Hello, Universe, TBH #5, The Friendship War and Just Right Jillian. The Smart Girl’s Guide is an advice book with quizzes, tips and stories from real girls about fights, jealousy and being left out. A reader living the drama may prefer the guide; a reader wanting escape picks a novel. For younger readers, see children’s books about friendship.

Series or standalone

TBH #5 is Book 5 of 8, so a new reader should know it sits mid-series; the other four list no series. A series keeps a friendship-obsessed reader going; a standalone fits a one-and-done read.

Before you buy

• Check the series number: TBH #5 is Book 5 of 8, so consider starting earlier in the series.
• Compare the reading age: all five list a band covering the middle grades; check the grade level on the Smart Girl’s Guide.
• Read the description for format: TBH #5 is told in texts and emojis; the Smart Girl’s Guide is advice, not a novel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book won the Newbery Medal?

Hello, Universe. The listing states it won the Newbery Medal.

Which is told in text messages?

TBH #5. The description states the story is told entirely in text messages, emojis and notes.

Which is not a novel?

The Smart Girl’s Guide. It is an advice book with quizzes, tips and stories about friendship troubles, per the description.

Still deciding? Our top pickHello, Universe by Kelly

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Related lists

See every middle grade books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse middle grade books about dogs, fantasy books for middle grade and children’s books about friendship.