If you loved

Books like Real Friends

A deeply validating, emotionally honest exploration of the roller coaster of childhood friendships and the quest to find where you truly belong. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Real Friends.

nostalgic
schoolyard-tense
emotionally turbulent
hopeful

01
Best Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply relatable, visually expressive journey through the emotional rollercoaster of middle school social politics.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- hopeful
- earnest
- vulnerable
02
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
- self-acceptance
03
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- relatable
04
Nat Enough
Maria Scrivan
An earnest and encouraging graphic novel about surviving a friendship breakup and discovering that you are already exactly who you need to be.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- relatable
- self-acceptance
05
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
06
Becoming Brianna
Terri Libenson
An earnest, briskly paced graphic novel that captures the anxiety of a looming milestone and the messy, rewarding process of finding your true friends.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
- anxious
07
Friends with boys
Faith Erin Hicks
A tender, slightly spooky slice-of-life graphic novel about the terrifying leap from the safety of family into the chaotic world of high school.
Shares:
- earnest
08
Courage
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, deeply validating hug of a graphic memoir that makes the terrifying, isolating feelings of childhood anxiety feel manageable and shared.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- vulnerable
- relatable
09
Crush
Svetlana Chmakova
A sweet, funny, and deeply relatable exploration of the butterflies and blunders that come with a first middle-school crush.
Shares:
- earnest
10
Best friends
Jamie Suzanne · 1998
A breezy, drama-filled dive into middle school social politics and the bittersweet growing pains of sisterhood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
11
Princess Academy
Shannon Hale
A crisp, empowering coming-of-age tale where the true magic lies in education, empathy, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- finding one's voice
12
Tomboy
Liz Prince
A funny, heartfelt exploration of the messy middle ground between boyhood and girlhood, fueled by punk rock and adolescent angst.
Shares:
- nostalgic

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