The first time I heard Katherine Paterson mention her book friends, I knew she was referring to those dear to us who exist on the pages between the covers of our favorite books.
Book friends are always there when you need them. You can join them on an adventure any time. You can take them along on adventures of your own. You know who they are and what they stand for. Perhaps most importantly, you can count on them to be who you know them to be when you most need a friend.
For kids with a lively younger sibling, Beezus and Peter Warren Hatcher totally get what it’s like. If you’re confused about who you are, Harry Potter knows how you feel. If you’ve been bounced around more than you can fathom, Anne Shirley has also been there.
And it’s not all about classics. For kids experiencing loss, Jess Aarons and Daisy Rubens – and don’t forget the little boy who loved Barney – have experienced it, too. From trying to fit in – Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III – to friendship – Ivy + Bean – there are book friends who are also figuring things out.
So, here’s to the book friends who laugh with you, walk with you, cry with you, and commiserate with you. Whether the kids in our lives find their book friends through e-books, audiobooks, books in their hands, or adults who read aloud, book friends fill a unique and important place in their lives.