This page contains books for all ages that are recommended for grief, end of life topics, and helping professionals working in this field.
BOOKS
by Glenn Ringtved, Charlotte Pardi, et al.
Focus: Death comes to visit grandmother
by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Focus: Continuing bond or connection
by Britta Teckentrup
Focus: death of a friend and mourning
My Big, Dumb, Invisible Dragon
by Angie Lucas and Birgitta Sif
Focus: Death of mother and the grief after
Luna's Red Hat: An Illustrated Storybook to Help Children Cope with Loss and Suicide
By Emmi Smid
Focus: Death and Suicide
I Miss You: A First Look at Death
by Pat Thomas and Leslie Harker
Focus: pet loss
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death
by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings
by Jo Witek and Christine Roussey
Focus: Emotions
by Oliver Jeffers
Focus: Grief
The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story About the Loss of a Pet
by Patrice Karst and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Focus: Pet Loss
Fiction
by John David Anderson
Focus: End of life and illness.
Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won’t be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan.
by Kacen Callender
“Twelve-year-old Kingston James is sure his brother Khalid has turned into a dragonfly. When Khalid unexpectedly passed away, he shed what was his first skin for another to live down by the bayou in their small Louisiana town. Khalid still visits in dreams, and King must keep these secrets to himself as he watches grief transform his family.”
by Tae Keller
“When Lily and her family move in with her sick grandmother, a magical tiger straight out of her halmoni's Korean folktales arrives, prompting Lily to unravel a secret family history. Long, long ago, Halmoni stole something from the tigers. Now, the tigers want it back.”
Non-fiction
Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love
By Earl A. Grollman
Teen Grief: Caring for the Grieving Teenage Heart
Gary Roe
Fiction
by Jason Reynolds
“Matt wears a black suit every day. No, not because his mom died—although she did, and it sucks. But he wears the suit for his gig at the local funeral home, which pays way better than the Cluck Bucket, and he needs the income since his dad can’t handle the bills (or anything, really) on his own.”
by Justin A. Reynolds
The Astonishing Color of After
by Emily X.R. Pan
“Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.”
by Tyler Feder
“Part poignant cancer memoir and part humorous reflection on a motherless life, this debut graphic novel is extraordinarily comforting and engaging.”
Non-fiction
Topic: Grief
Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief
by David Kessler
It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
by Megan Devine and Mark Nepo
Topic: Parents helping Children
When a Parent is Sick: Helping Parents Explain Serious Illness to Children
By Joan Hamilton
A Parents Guide to Raising Grieving Children
By Phyilis Silverman