Books About Grief · 494 titles considered

The Best Grief Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about grief? 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.

Echo Mountain
Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Grief

Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1961

Where the Red Fern Grows

By Wilson Rawls · Book #1 in the Where the Red Fern Grows series

A boy's dream of owning two dogs leads to triumph and tragedy in the Ozarks.

282 pages· 76,899 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
6.7/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 448,464 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Billy finally gets his dream dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann, and together they become the best hunting team in the Ozarks. But as their fame grows, so does the shadow of impending tragedy. Can Billy find hope amidst despair and learn the true meaning of friendship and loss? This timeless tale explores the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dogs, promising adventure, heartache, and the enduring power of love.
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Mr. Gedrick and Me

A mysterious nanny arrives to mend a grieving family's broken bonds with a touch of magic.

224 pages· 41,848 words· Est. 6 hour read
6.5/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 416 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Summary: Stanley Darrow's life is in disarray after his father's death, leaving his family struggling to cope. Enter Mr. Gedrick, a peculiar nanny with a knack for transforming chaos into order. As he tidies their home, Stanley wonders if Mr. Gedrick can also heal their hearts. But what secrets does this enigmatic figure hide behind his crooked grin? Can he truly help Stanley, his siblings, and their mother find their way back to each other? Discover the magic and mystery that could reunite a fractured family.
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2020

Echo Mountain

In the wilderness, Ellie seeks healing secrets to save her comatose father.

368 pages· 78,125 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 11,438 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Summary: During the Great Depression, Ellie’s family retreats to Echo Mountain after losing everything. When a tragic accident leaves her father in a coma, Ellie is unjustly blamed. Determined to save him, she ventures to find a mysterious healer known as 'the hag.' As Ellie climbs the mountain, she uncovers hidden stories and a chance for redemption. Will she find the cure her father needs, or will the mountain's secrets change her path forever? Discover resilience and self-discovery in this tale of healing and hope.
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1952

Charlotte's Web

A pig befriends a spider who devises a plan to save his life from slaughter.

Newbery Honor (1953)
184 pages· 32,307 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,091,994 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Summary: In a barn filled with secrets, a pig named Wilbur faces an uncertain fate. His only hope lies in Charlotte, a clever spider weaving words into her web to save him. With the help of a self-serving rat and a girl named Fern who understands their language, they embark on a heartwarming journey of friendship and survival. As the seasons change, will Charlotte's plan succeed in sparing Wilbur's life? Discover the magic of childhood and the power of unlikely alliances in this timeless tale of love and courage.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1999

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

A wallflower navigates the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood, facing love, loss, and self-discovery.

224 pages· 62,621 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,053,469 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Summary: Charlie, an introspective high schooler, grapples with the chaos of growing up. Amidst first loves, family secrets, and the allure of rebellion, he must find his place in a world that feels both thrilling and overwhelming. As he teeters on the edge of adolescence and adulthood, will Charlie embrace life or retreat into the shadows? This poignant tale captures the essence of youth's roller-coaster ride, inviting readers to laugh, cry, and reflect on their own journey.
Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2017

Far from the Tree

Three teens, connected by blood, navigate adoption, family secrets, and belonging.

374 pages· 88,170 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 50,287 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Grace, adopted at birth, discovers she's a middle child after giving up her own baby. She seeks her biological siblings: Maya, a spirited sister questioning her place, and Joaquin, a guarded brother wary of family ties after years in foster care. As they confront their pasts, they must redefine what family truly means. Can they find connection amidst secrets and fears?
Picture Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

A Wreath for Emmett Till

By Marilyn Nelson, Philippe Lardy (Illustrator)

A boy's tragic fate ignites a movement against injustice.

48 pages· 1,527 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,508 ratings
$17.00Save 5%
Summary: In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American, was brutally murdered, sparking national outrage. His story, told through poignant poetry, challenges us to confront and speak out against ongoing injustices. How can one boy's tragic end inspire a fight for change?
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

Mason's friend vanished. Can he uncover the truth before it's too late?

352 pages· 66,043 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 9,608 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Summary: Mason Buttle struggles with learning disabilities and grief after his best friend Benny's mysterious death. As the investigation stalls, Mason and his new friend Calvin face relentless bullying. They find solace in a secret hideout, but when Calvin disappears, Mason is thrust into a desperate search for answers. Can he unravel the mystery of both disappearances and prove his innocence, or will his story go unheard?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2020

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

A boy finds strength in his late father's journal, discovering poetry and hidden powers.

208 pages· 41,637 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,498 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: Isaiah Dunn faces the challenge of stepping into his late father's shoes, managing a silent mother and a curious sister. With his friend Sneaky's schemes and classmate Angel's ideas, Isaiah navigates life's hurdles. His father's journal, filled with tales of a superhero fueled by beans and rice, becomes his guide. Can Isaiah find the strength within these stories to become the hero his family needs? Discover the journey of a ten-year-old boy learning to harness his inner power and resilience in a world that demands he grow up too soon.
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2020

Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business

By Lyla Lee, Dung Ho (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Mindy Kim series

A young girl starts a snack business to fit in and faces unexpected challenges.

96 pages· 9,421 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 904 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Summary: Mindy Kim, a young Asian American girl, dreams of fitting in at her new school, getting a puppy, and making her dad happy. Her dried seaweed snack isn't a hit, but with her friend Sally, they launch the Yummy Seaweed Business. When a classmate sabotages their efforts, Mindy must navigate the challenges of friendship and self-acceptance. Can she find the courage to be herself and achieve her dreams?
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Browse by age

Grief Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about grief for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Grandpa's Top Threes

Ages 3–6 · 2019

A boy's game helps his grandpa reconnect with life.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

Ages 6–9 · 1995

A woodcarver is commissioned to create a set of Christmas figures for a widow and her son, leading to a transformation in his life.

Ida, Always

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A polar bear faces loss and finds comfort in memories.

Wherever You Are

Ages 4–8 · 2010

A parent's love follows their child, no matter the distance.

A Bowl Full of Peace

Ages 6–11 · 2020

Survive the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and find hope in a miraculous discovery.

Big Cat, Little Cat

Ages 3–7 · 2017

Two cats form a bond until one must move on.

A Stopwatch from Grampa

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A child navigates grief with a stopwatch, a symbol of lost time and cherished memories.

A Little SPOT of Sadness

2019

A child learns to manage their sadness through creative visualization and empathy.

Remembering Ethan

Ages 5–9 · 2020

A girl struggles to keep her brother's memory alive as her family avoids mentioning him.

Our Lake
Sale price
$1999

Our Lake

Ages 4–8 · 2025

Two brothers face the lake without their father. Can they dive into memories?

Missing Violet

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A child navigates the loss of a best friend and finds a way to heal by remembering her and helping others.

The Heaven of Animals
Sale price
$1999

The Heaven of Animals

Ages 4–8 · 2014

Discover a magical place where the love for lost pets lives on forever.

View all grief picture books
Browse by age

Grief Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about grief for developing and independent readers.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A girl schemes to return home, uncovering secrets and friendships on a cross-country journey.

The Canyon's Edge

Ages 10–13 · 2020

A girl battles nature and inner demons to survive a desert disaster.

Rebound

Ages 10–12 · 2018

A summer with grandparents changes young Charlie's life through basketball and family secrets.

Long Way Down
Sale price
$1999

Long Way Down

Ages 14–18 · 2017

A boy faces a life-altering choice in an elevator ride haunted by ghosts of the past.

The Fault in Our Stars

Ages 14–18 · 2012

A terminal girl meets a boy who changes her story forever.

Counting by 7s
Sale price
$999

Counting by 7s

Ages 10–14 · 2013

A young genius seeks connection and family after a tragic loss.

All the Bright Places

Ages 14–18 · 2015

Two teens meet on a ledge, changing each other's lives forever.

The Truth About Forever

Ages 12–18 · 2004

Macy's summer plans unravel with a new job and an unexpected connection, challenging her to embrace the unexpected.

Love & Gelato

Ages 12–18 · 2016

A journal leads Lina on a Tuscan adventure to uncover family secrets.

The Thing About Jellyfish

Ages 10–13 · 2015

A girl seeks the truth behind her friend's death, suspecting a jellyfish sting.

Tuesdays at the Castle
Sale price
$999

Tuesdays at the Castle

Ages 8–12 · 2011

A castle changes, a kingdom in peril, a princess must save it.

Emily of New Moon

Ages 10–13 · 1923

Orphaned Emily faces a new life with stern relatives and hostile classmates.

Keep exploring
Books about coping with deathBooks about family lifeBooks about family problemsBooks about accidentsBooks about adoptionBooks about belongingBooks about bullyingBooks about feelings and emotions

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