Books About Loss · 339 titles considered

The Best Loss Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about 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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Loss

Sale price

$1994

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

The One and Only Ivan

By Katherine Applegate, Patricia Castelao (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The One and Only series

A captive gorilla's world shifts when a baby elephant arrives, challenging his view of home and art.

Newbery Medal (2013)

304 pages· 25,905 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 216,215 ratings

$20.99Save 5%

Summary: Ivan, a gorilla living in a mall, finds comfort in art and his friends. But when Ruby, a young elephant, arrives, Ivan's perspective on captivity and creativity is transformed. As he grapples with new emotions, Ivan must decide if he can change their world for the better. Can unexpected friendships inspire hope and freedom? Discover a tale of courage and transformation through Ivan's eyes.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1967

The Outsiders

A boy's world shatters when a gang rivalry spirals out of control.

214 pages· 48,944 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,670,085 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Summary: Ponyboy navigates a harsh world where loyalty is everything. With his brothers and friends by his side, he faces constant threats from the Socs, a gang of wealthy bullies. But when a violent encounter escalates, Ponyboy's life takes an unexpected turn, challenging his beliefs and testing his bonds. Can he find his place in a divided society, or will the chaos consume him? Discover a gripping tale of friendship, identity, and survival in a world where the lines between right and wrong blur.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2000

Because of Winn-Dixie

By Kate DiCamillo

A young girl navigates a new town and a new life with the help of a stray dog she adopts.

Newbery Honor (2001)

192 pages· 22,105 words· Est. 3 hour read

5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 284,715 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Ten-year-old Opal's life changes when she adopts a stray dog named Winn-Dixie. This scruffy companion helps her forge new friendships and gives her the courage to confront her father's silence about her absent mother. As the summer unfolds, Opal discovers that everything seems to happen because of Winn-Dixie. Will this unexpected friendship help her uncover the truths she's been seeking? Dive into a heartwarming tale of discovery and connection.

Sale price

$1140

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1956

Night

By Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel (Translator) · Book #1 in the Night Trilogy series

A teenager's harrowing survival in Nazi death camps challenges humanity's darkest depths.

120 pages· 31,141 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,394,550 ratings

$12.00Save 5%

Summary: In the chilling memoir 'Night,' a young boy endures the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. As he navigates the brutality of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, he grapples with profound questions about humanity and survival. This powerful account not only recounts the daily terror but also delves into the philosophical implications of the Holocaust. Will his story ensure the world never forgets the depths of man's inhumanity?

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, a girl steals books to survive and share hope amidst war.

552 pages· 118,732 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 2,954,578 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Summary: In 1939 Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in stolen books. As bombs fall, she shares these treasures with neighbors and a hidden Jewish man. With Death narrating, Liesel's story unfolds, revealing the power of words to illuminate even the darkest times. Will her love for books be enough to sustain her through the horrors of war?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2018

Rebound

By Kwame Alexander · The Crossover series

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

416 pages· 27,564 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 14,361 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Young Charlie Bell, sent to his grandparents for the summer, discovers basketball and unravels family secrets. As he navigates this pivotal time, will he find his path to becoming the legend his sons admire? Experience the rhythm and impact of a life-changing summer in this novel in verse.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2018

The Eleventh Trade

By Alyssa Hollingsworth

A boy must trade up from a keychain to reclaim his grandfather's stolen instrument.

304 pages· 53,985 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 376 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Sami, a young refugee, faces a daunting challenge when his grandfather's cherished rebab is stolen. With only a keychain and a dream, he embarks on a daring quest to trade up to $700. Each trade brings him closer to reclaiming the instrument and finding his place in a new world. Can Sami navigate the complexities of friendship and fear to achieve the impossible? Discover the heartwarming journey of resilience and hope in 'The Eleventh Trade.'

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2019

Shouting at the Rain

By Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Delsie faces life's storms, seeking family and friendship.

288 pages· 52,132 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 9,404 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Delsie, a weather enthusiast, feels the storms of life brewing as she longs for a 'regular family' while living with her Grammy. Her friend drifts away, but new ally Ronan, also grappling with loss, joins her on Cape Cod adventures. Together, they explore emotions and discover the true meaning of family and friendship, learning to weather any storm.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1923

Emily of New Moon

By Lucy Maud Montgomery · Book #1 in the Emily series

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

339 pages· 112,251 words· Est. 12.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 55,522 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Emily Starr, newly orphaned, is thrust into a world of stern relatives and spiteful classmates at New Moon Farm. With her quick wit and resilience, she navigates the challenges of her new life. Will Emily find happiness and belonging in this unfamiliar place, or will the shadows of her past keep her from embracing the future? Discover the poignant journey of a young girl growing up on early twentieth-century Prince Edward Island, where beauty and hardship intertwine.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2013

The 5th Wave

By Rick Yancey · Book #1 in the The 5th Wave series

Survive the alien invasion: trust no one, not even those who look human.

457 pages· 116,770 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 484,174 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: In a world ravaged by alien invasions, Cassie is on the run, haunted by beings who look human but kill without mercy. Alone, she believes survival means trusting no one. But when she meets the enigmatic Evan Walker, her beliefs are challenged. Can she trust him to help save her brother, or is he another threat? As the 5th wave looms, Cassie faces a choice between hope and despair, life and death. Will she stand alone or risk everything for a chance at salvation?

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Loss Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1699

Grandpa's Top Threes

Ages 3–6 · 2019

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

Sale price

$1799

The Lady with the Books

2020

In post-war Germany, two children find hope in a hall of books, changing their lives forever.

Sale price

$1999

Ida, Always

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A polar bear faces loss and finds comfort in memories.

Sale price

$1899

A Bowl Full of Peace

Ages 6–11 · 2020

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

Sale price

$1799

A Stopwatch from Grampa

Ages 4–8 · 2020

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

Sale price

$1699

Remembering Ethan

Ages 5–9 · 2020

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

Sale price

$1799

Rosa's Song

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A young immigrant finds friendship and community in a new world, guided by a song of hope.

Sale price

$1799

Winter's Gift

Ages 6–9 · 2004

A snowstorm unites two lonely souls, human and beast, in a quest for hope.

Sale price

$1799

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 Angel Tree

2014

A mysterious tree grants wishes every Christmas. Who's behind it?

Sale price

$1999

The Heaven of Animals

Ages 4–8 · 2014

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

Sale price

$1599

Goodbye

Ages 3–6 · 2023

Explore grief with children through simple language and vivid imagery.

View all loss picture books

Browse by age

Loss Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about loss for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$999

Love That Dog

Ages 8–12 · 2001

A boy discovers his voice through poetry, guided by a teacher and a dog.

Sale price

$899

Locomotion

Ages 11–16 · 2003

An orphaned boy uses poetry to cope and reunite with his sister.

Sale price

$1899

A Wolf Called Wander

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A lone wolf embarks on a perilous journey to find a new home.

Sale price

$999

Sounder

Ages 7–12 · 1969

A boy's world shatters when his father is arrested, leaving him to find hope through his loyal dog, Sounder.

Sale price

$1599

If I Stay

Ages 14–18 · 2009

A young cellist must choose between life and joining her lost family after a tragic accident.

Sale price

$2245

Elsewhere

Ages 12–18 · 2005

In a world where life runs backward, can Liz embrace a future she never wanted?

Sale price

$2080

How I Live Now

Ages 14–18 · 2004

A girl and her cousins navigate a war-torn world, forging bonds amidst chaos and isolation.

Sale price

$999

Samira Surfs

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A refugee girl finds hope and courage in a surf club.

Sale price

$1799

Love, Amalia

Ages 8–12 · 2012

A girl navigates loss and discovers her heritage's power to heal.

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street

Sale price

$1799

The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl must uncover the truth behind her father's disappearance and the vanishing of magical creatures.

Sale price

$599

Libby's Sweet Surprise

Ages 8–12 · 2014

A girl befriends a rival's son, hiding secrets that could unravel their friendship. Can a charm bracelet bring luck?

Sale price

$1699

Survivors Club

Ages 10–14 · 2017

A Jewish family in German-occupied Poland struggles to survive as the Holocaust closes in around them.

View all loss chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about survival stories Books about aliens and extraterrestrial beings Books about animal welfare Books about basketball Books about books and reading Books about coming of age Books about connecting with others Books about death, grief, and bereavement

Our 10 Favorite Books About Loss

Great books, picked for their age.

Loss Picture Books

Loss Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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