Books About Grief And Loss

The Best Grief And Loss Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Books About Loss, featuring 15 favorites and recommendations by age.

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.

#2 in Series

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

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 Goodreads · 266,127 ratings

$11.99Save 5%

Paperback

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.

Legendborn

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$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2020

Legendborn

By Tracy Deonn · The Legendborn Cycle series

A teen discovers a secret society and her own magic, unraveling her mother's mysterious death.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award (2021)

501 pages· 156,015 words· Est. 14.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 203,635 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Bree Matthews, reeling from her mother's death, escapes to a college program only to witness a magical attack. Uncovering her own powers, she infiltrates a secret society linked to King Arthur's knights. With a reluctant ally, Nick, Bree delves into the society's mysteries, seeking the truth about her mother's death. As a magical war looms, Bree must decide whether to fight alongside the Legendborn or bring them down. Will she uncover the truth, or will the secrets consume her?

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$1473

Chapter Book · Ages 11–15 · 2005

Once

By Morris Gleitzman · Book #1 in the Once Series series

A boy's storytelling may be his only hope in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Sydney Taylor Book Honor (2011)

160 pages· 30,815 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 28,939 ratings

$15.50Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1942 Poland, young Felix escapes an orphanage, determined to find his parents. As a Jewish boy, danger lurks at every turn. Armed only with his storytelling gift, can Felix outwit the Nazis and reunite with his family? His journey is fraught with peril, but hope and imagination might just be his salvation. Discover Felix's gripping tale of survival and courage in a world where every moment counts.

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$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2019

Ojiichan's Gift

By Chieri Uegaki, Genevieve Simms (Illustrator)

A girl must preserve her grandfather's stone garden as he moves away.

32 pages· 868 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.2 Goodreads · 506 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Mayumi cherishes summers in Japan, tending a unique stone garden with her grandfather. But when he can no longer care for it, she faces the challenge of keeping their cherished memories alive. Can Mayumi find a way to honor their bond and the garden's legacy? This touching tale explores family ties, change, and the enduring power of love.

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$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 Goodreads · 791 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

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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$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Secret of Nightingale Wood

By Lucy Strange

A girl uncovers eerie secrets in her new home, leading to a life-altering discovery in the woods.

304 pages· 59,328 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 5,035 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In the shadows of Hope House, young Henrietta feels invisible as her family is preoccupied. Her mother is ill, her father is away, and Nanny Jane is busy with her sister. Alone with her imagination, Henry stumbles upon hidden secrets: a forgotten attic, ghostly figures, and mysterious lights in the garden. Driven by curiosity, she ventures into Nightingale Wood one night, uncovering a truth that will forever change her world. What lies in the darkness, and how will it reshape her life? Dive into a tale of mystery and discovery, where every shadow holds a story.

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$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

The Many Meanings of Meilan

By Andrea Wang

A girl navigates identity and injustice after moving from Chinatown to rural Ohio.

CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) Honor (2022)

364 pages· 70,336 words· Est. 8 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 645 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Meilan Hua's life is uprooted from Boston's Chinatown to rural Ohio after a family feud. Struggling with identity, she adopts different personas inspired by Chinese characters. As she faces school injustices, Meilan learns the power of uniting her many selves. Can she find her true home within herself amidst the chaos?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2020

Mindy Kim and the Lunar New Year Parade

By Lyla Lee, Dung Ho (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Mindy Kim series

A young girl navigates her first Lunar New Year without her mother, finding comfort and new traditions with her father and friends.

96 pages· 9,628 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 469 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Mindy Kim faces her first Lunar New Year without her mom. Determined to keep traditions alive, she attempts to make her favorite rice cake soup. But when things go awry, Mindy must rely on her family and friends to rediscover the joy of the holiday. Can she blend old traditions with new ones and find happiness in the celebration?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2006

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

By Kate DiCamillo, Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

A lost china rabbit embarks on a journey of love and loss.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2006)

240 pages· 17,113 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.4 Goodreads · 126,980 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Edward Tulane, a china rabbit, is adored by Abilene until he is lost. His journey takes him from ocean depths to city streets, teaching him about love, loss, and the power of an open heart. Will Edward find his way back to love, or remain lost forever?

Graphic Nov.

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 Goodreads · 14,737 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Library Binding

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?

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