Books About Grief And Loss

The Best Grief And Loss Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about grief and loss? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Grief And Loss

Sale price

$1139

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Five Feet Apart

By Rachael Lippincott

Two teens fall in love but must stay apart to survive. Can love bridge the distance between them?

304 pages· 61,382 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 264,195 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Summary: Stella and Will, both battling cystic fibrosis, must keep a safe distance to protect their fragile health. Stella's life depends on a lung transplant, while Will dreams of freedom beyond hospital walls. As their connection deepens, the mandated six feet apart feels like a cruel barrier. Can they risk everything for a chance at love, or will the distance keep them safe but heartbroken? Discover if five feet apart is worth the risk in this poignant tale of love and survival.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

Just Right Jillian

By Nicole D. Collier

A shy girl must find her voice to win a school competition and honor a promise.

224 pages· 42,258 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 787 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Jillian, a quiet fifth grader, faces her biggest challenge yet: speaking up. After losing a classroom contest due to her silence, she vows to win the school's academic competition. With only a month to fulfill a promise to her grandmother, Jillian must overcome her fears and reveal her true self. Can she break free from her shell and prove her worth? This heartfelt journey explores family, friendship, and the courage to stand out.

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Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2012

Cardboard

By Doug TenNapel · Book #1 in the Cardboard series

A cardboard man comes to life, but a bully's creations threaten chaos.

288 pages· 8,674 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 14,718 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Summary: Cam receives a cardboard box for his birthday, a gift that seems disappointing until it transforms into a living man. But when Marcus, the neighborhood bully, gets hold of the magical cardboard, he creates sinister creatures that spiral out of control. As these creations multiply, Cam must confront the chaos and find a way to stop the impending disaster. Can he reclaim the magic and restore peace, or will Marcus's army of cardboard monsters overrun them all?

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 11–14

Cruzita and the Mariacheros

A young girl must choose between her pop star dreams and saving her family's bakery.

248 pages· 51,184 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 189 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Cruzita dreams of stardom, but her summer plans are derailed by family obligations at a struggling bakery. With her great-uncle gone, she juggles baking mishaps and mariachi lessons, despite not knowing Spanish or how to play her great-grandpa's violin. As she immerses herself in the music, Cruzita discovers unexpected paths to fame and legacy. Will she find a way to honor her family's past while chasing her dreams?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2001

Love, Ruby Lavender

A lonely summer turns adventurous as Ruby Lavender tackles new friendships and self-discovery.

188 pages· 69,183 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,966 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Nine-year-old Ruby Lavender dreads a lonely summer when her grandmother, Miss Eula, leaves for Hawaii. Left in Halleluia, Mississippi, Ruby's world turns upside down as she befriends a new ally, saves the school play, and writes letters to her beloved grandmother. Amidst these adventures, Ruby confronts her guilt over her grandfather's death. Can she find peace and joy in unexpected places? Discover the heartwarming journey of a young girl learning to embrace change and forgiveness.

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Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–14 · 2023

Wildfire

By Breena Bard

A wildfire uproots a girl's life, forcing her to confront past friendships and climate change activism.

282 pages· 11,126 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 760 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: After a wildfire destroys her home, Julianna relocates to Portland, hoping to escape her past. But when Carson, a friend linked to the fire, reappears, she faces unresolved anger. Joining a conservation club, Julianna discovers the power of turning grief into action. Can she find healing and make a difference in the fight against climate change?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1998

Second Chance

By Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim LaHaye · Book #2 in the Left Behind: The Kids series

Four kids navigate a world post-Rapture, grappling with faith and survival.

160 pages· 28,167 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,408 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan are left behind after the Rapture, facing a world in chaos. As they struggle with faith and loss, Lionel receives a desperate message from his Uncle Andre, prompting a race against time to Chicago. Will they find hope and redemption, or succumb to despair in a world turned upside down?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

The Boy Who Met a Whale

By Nizrana Farook

A fisherboy's encounter with a shipwreck survivor leads to a perilous quest for hidden treasure.

256 pages· 31,862 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 781 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Razi, a young fisherboy, discovers a shipwreck survivor, Zheng, who speaks of mutiny and hidden treasure. As villains close in, Razi and his sister, Shifa, are drawn into a thrilling adventure. With a massive sea creature lurking beneath, they must navigate danger and mystery on the open sea. Will they uncover the treasure or fall prey to the lurking threats? Dive into a vibrant, action-packed tale set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's enchanting landscape.

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Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

Curveball

By Pablo Cartaya

Elena must rediscover herself and her love for baseball in a summer of unexpected adventures.

192 pages· 6,112 words· Est. 1 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 511 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Summary: Elena Rueda, the star player and only girl on her baseball team, faces a crisis: the game she loves no longer excites her. As she steps away from the sport, a summer with her brother's eccentric friends in a deserted sandlot beckons. Can this unexpected journey help Elena uncover her true identity and reignite her passion for the game? With new friendships and endless possibilities, Elena must navigate the challenges of self-discovery and find joy in the unexpected. Will she learn to love baseball again, or find a new path entirely?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2013

Written in Stone

By Rosanne Parry

A young girl battles to preserve her tribe's heritage as modern whaling threatens their survival.

208 pages· 36,476 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 396 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: In the 1920s Pacific Northwest, Pearl dreams of following her father's footsteps in whale hunting. But with her father lost and steam-powered ships decimating whale populations, her tribe faces extinction. As the Makah struggle to survive, Pearl must find a way to save their stories and traditions. Can she preserve her people's legacy in a rapidly changing world?

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Grief And Loss Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about grief and loss for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1299

The Betrayed

Ages 13–+ · 2021

A broken heart, a tyrant king, and a choice that could change everything.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2499

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 (Graphic Novel)

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl faces a deadly grizzly in Glacier Park, confronting her deepest fears.

Sale price

$999

Daisy and the Deadly Flu

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A young girl navigates the challenges of growing up during a global pandemic and war, struggling to maintain her relationships and sense of self amidst the chaos and loss that surrounds her.

View all grief and loss chapter books

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Books about cystic fibrosis Books about death, grief, and bereavement Books about diseases, illnesses, injuries, and disabilities Books about new experiences

The Best Grief And Loss Books for Kids

Our 10 Favorite Books About Grief And Loss

Five Feet Apart

Just Right Jillian

Cardboard

Cruzita and the Mariacheros

Love, Ruby Lavender

Wildfire

Second Chance

The Boy Who Met a Whale

Curveball

Written in Stone

Great books, picked for their age.

Grief And Loss Chapter Books & Middle Grade

The Betrayed

I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 (Graphic Novel)

Daisy and the Deadly Flu

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