Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham (ages 8 to 12)
A terrific graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends―and why it’s worth the journey. Real Friends tackles bullying, childhood anxiety, and growing pains in a heartfelt way but also shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display.
Friends: Making Them and Keeping Them by Patti Kelley Criswell (ages 9 to 12)
Part of the American Girl Smart Girl’s Guide series, this book is written by a social worker and does a great job at teaching self-respect, confidence, and respect for others. Perfect for boys too.
Drama, Rumors and Secrets by Nancy Holyoke (ages 9 to 12)
Part of the very well-done American Girl Smart Girl’s Guide Series, this book offers insight into drama, from jealousy to gossip to cyberbullying, and how to deal with it. Kids (yes, boys too!) can learn why drama exists, how it starts, what keeps it going, and how to cool it down.