Recommended
Books About Grief
Books can help children and teens find words for difficult feelings, recognize that they are not alone and begin meaningful conversations with trusted adults.
Grief Books for Children, Teens and Families
Common Ground has assembled recommended books for children, teens, caregivers and families navigating grief after a death.
The reading list is organized by age to help adults identify books that may align with a child’s developmental stage. Age ranges should be used as general guidance. Consider the child’s reading level, emotional readiness, relationship with the person who died and the circumstances of the death.
Life On Pause:
Grief through the eyes of children and teens
Understanding children’s grief can be challenging, but through the power of visual expression, it becomes more accessible and meaningful. In this insightful and compassionate book, Lynn M. Snyder-an experienced art therapist and founder of Common Ground Grief Center-offers a unique perspective on childhood bereavement. Drawing from years of experience, she combines her passion for visual learning with heartfelt stories and artwork created by grieving children and teens. These powerful images provide an intimate glimpse into their emotions, offering valuable insights for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone seeking to support a grieving child.
Common Ground's Reading List
The Dougy Center has a vastly informative selection of books on grieving children and teens. You may view this material as well as purchase books directly through their website, www.dougy.org.
Recommended Books for Children Ages 3-6
Brown, L.K., & M. (1996). When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide To Understanding Death. Little Brown & Co.
Buscaglia, L. (1983). The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. Holt, Rinehart.
Cazet, D. (1984). Christmas Moon. Macmillan Publishing Company.
Dodge, N. (1984). Thumpy’s Story: A Story of Love and Grief Shared by Thumpy, the Bunny. Prairie Lark.
Gryte, M. (1988). No New Baby: For Boys and Girls Whose Expected Sibling Dies. Centering Corporation.
Hanson, W. (1997). The Next Place. Waldman House Press.
Haas, S. (1991). Daddy’s Chair. Kar-Ben Copies, Inc.
Mellonie, B., & Ingpen, R. (1983). Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children. Bantam Books.
Miles, R. (1971). Annie and the Old One. Little, Brown, & Co.
Mills, J. (2003). Gentle Willow. Magination Press.
Mundy, M. (1998). Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss. Abbey Press.
Rogers, F. (1998). When a Pet Dies. GP Putman’s Sons.
Rothman, J. (1992). A Birthday Present for Daniel: A Child’s Story of Loss. Prometheus Books.
Temes, R. (1992). The Empty Place: A Child’s Guide Through Grief. Small Horizons.
Viorst, J. (1971). The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. Athenaeum.
Vigna, J. (1991). Saying Goodbye to Daddy. Albert Whitman & Co.
Wilhelm, H. (1985) I’ll Always Love You. Crown Publishers.
Recommended Books for Children Ages 7-10
Buscaglia, L. (1983). The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. Holt, Rinehart.
Carrick, C. (1976). The Accident. Seaburg Press.
Clifton, L. (1988). Everett Anderson’s Goodbye. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
Coburn, J. B. (1980). Annie and the Sand Dobbies. Harper Collins.
Douglas, E. (1990). Rachael and the Upside Down Heart. Price, Stern, & Sloan.
Johnson J., & Johnson, M. (1978). Tell Me Papa: Answers to Questions Children ask about Death and Dying. Centering Corporation.
Karst, P. (2000). The Invisible String. DeVorss Publications.
Krementz, J. (1983). How it Feels When a Parent Dies. Alfred A. Knopf.
Kubler-Ross, E. (1998). Remember the Secret. Celestial Press.
Madenski, M. (1991). Some of the Pieces. Little, Brown, & Co.
Paulus, T. (1973). Hope for the Flowers. Paulist Press.
Romain, T. (1999). What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies?. Free Spirit Publishing.
Walker, A. (1988). To Hell with Dying. Harcourt, Brace, & Jovanovich Publishing.
Winsch, J. L. (1995). After the Funeral. Paulist Press.
Varley, S. (1984). Badger’s Parting Gifts. New York: Mulberry Books.
Recommended Books for Children Ages 10-13
Cohen, J. (1994). Why Did it Happen? Helping Children Cope in a Violent World. Morrow Junior Books.
Cosby, B. (2000). The Day I Saw my Father Cry. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Goldring, T.M. (1999) Kat’s Surrender. Boyds Mill Press.
Graeber, C. (1982). Mustard. Macmillan Publishing Company.
Jampolsky, G. (1982). Straight from the Siblings: Another Look at the Rainbow. Celestial Arts.
Jukes, M. (1985). Blackberries in the Dark. Yearling Publishers.
Leshan, E. (1976). Learning to Say Goodbye: When a Parent Dies. Simon & Schuster.
Mandino, O., & Kaye, B. (1989). The Gift of Acabar. Bantam Books.
Mills, L. (1991). The Rag Coat. Little, Brown, & Company.
Paterson, K. (1977). The Bridge to Tarabithia. Harper Collins.
Schwiebert, P., & Dekylen, C. (2001). Tear Soup. Grief Watch.
Spies, K. (1990). Everything You Need to Know About Grieving. Rosen Publishers.
White, E. B. (1952). Charlotte’s Web. Harper & Row.
Recommended Books for Children Ages 13 and Over
Canfield, J., Hansen, M.V., & Kirberger, K. (1997). Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications.
Dower, L. (2001). I Will Remember You: What to do When Someone You Love Dies, A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Fitzgerald, H. (2000). The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Fry, V. (1995). A Part of Me Died, Too. Dutton Children’s Books.
Gootman, M. E. (2005). When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving and Healing. Free Spirit Publishing.
Mahon, K.I. (1992). Just One Tear. Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books.
McDaniel, L. (1999). The Girl Death Left Behind. Skylark.
O’Toole, D. (1995). Facing Change: Falling Apart and Coming Together in the Teen Years. Mountain Rainbow Press.
Schuurman, D. (2003). Never the Same: Coming to Terms with the Death of a Parent. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Wolfelt, A.D. (2001). Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas. Companion Press.