This list features middle grade books (ages 8-12) about children dealing with toxic friendships. Most of these stories are focused on the character's journey of letting go and moving on from dysfunctional friends.

All too often, kids are told to put on a brave face when dealing with toxic friends or they are gaslit because they were "just joking" but it is important to help kids identify moments when their friends are disrespecting them and when to let go and foster better friendships with new people.

I do not count books where good best friends have a breakup and makeup situation. This list is about letting go of bad friends.

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