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Grief and Mourning

Whether it is the death of a friend or relative, or a stranger in another land, or the death of a beloved pet, death affects gifted children with a depth and power that often takes us by surprise.  This list includes books and other resources that gifted parents and professionals have found useful when dealing with death and the gifted child or young adult, as well as for themselves. 

If you find yourself on this page in need, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss.

People...       (click for resources about Pets)

About Dying by Sara Bonnett Stein

A recommended Internet resource...
 

After You Lose Someone You Love: Advice And Insight From The Diaries Of Three Kids Who've Been There by Amy Dennison, Allie Dennison, and David Dennison

The real-life journal of three children whose father died suddenly...
 

Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles

When Annie's Navajo grandmother says that when Annie's mother's rug is completely woven that the grandmother will die, Annie tries to hold back time by unweaving the rug in secret... (picture book for all ages)
 

Badger's Parting Gifts by Susan Varley 

All the woodland creatures love old Badger, and when he dies, they are overwhelmed by their loss. Then, they begin to remember, and through their memories, the animals find the strength to face the future with hope
 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

A novel (upper elementary or middle school) about two childhood friends separated suddenly by death.  Paterson handles the situation quite beautifully and affords a real opportunity for parents to discuss the matter of death with their kids
 

Bruderhof Grief Companion 

Everyone grieves differently. But no one needs to carry grief alone. Whatever loss you are grieving, here you can share your loss with others, and find material that other grieving people have found helpful and comforting. Grieving takes time. Take time to grieve
 

Dealing with Death 

PBS On Line high school unit, This guide suggests several writing and group activities that address perceptions and emotions related to death...
 

Eight myths about children, adolescents and loss by Kenneth J. Doka, Living with Grief: Children, Adolescents and Loss

Common myths and practical suggestions, about children and adolescents and how they deal with loss and grief.  Also by Doka A Guide to Children's Grief
 

GrievingChild.org by a service of the Dougy Center

With sections for young kids, older kids, and adults who know a grieving child, this site offers kids help and support through the sharing of other kids...
 

A Guide for Those Helping Others with Grief  or  Una guía para ésos que ayudan a otros con pena

Excerpted from I Wasn't Ready to Say Good-bye: a guide for surviving, coping and healing after the sudden death of a loved one by Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair
 

Helping Children Cope with Death by The Dougy Center

Comprehensive, easy-to-read overview of issues facing grieving children and how to help. Contains information on a child's understanding of death, developmental issues, how to explain death to children, what helps and what doesn't, how to know when to get professional help, and much more
 

Helping Teens Cope with Death by The Dougy Center

Adolescence is a period of profound changes. When a teen also deals with a major loss, those developmental changes and the turmoil they create, can be compounded. This book helps adults to better understand how a death of a family member or friend can impact a teen and how to help
 

Helping Children Cope With the Loss of a Loved One: A Guide for Grownups by William C. Kroen and Pamela Espeland 

Practical advice to help children of all ages through the process of grieving, from our friends at Free Spirit Press...
 

I Will Remember You by Laura Dower

When someone close dies, life as a teen can seem almost unbearable.  An inspirational and accessible guide to coping with loss...
 

Living When a Loved One Has Died by Earl Grollman

...explains what emotions to expect when mourning, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to work through feelings of loss. Suitable for pocket or bedside, this gentle book guides the lonely and suffering as they move through the many facets of grief, begin to heal, and slowly build new lives (teen to adult)
 

Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie

A pet . . . a friend . . . or a relative dies, and it must be explained to a child. This sensitive book is a useful tool in explaining to young children that death is a part of life and that, eventually, all living things reach the end of their own special lifetimes.  It even deals briefly with sickness cutting the lifetime short.  An excellent resource...
 

Listen! by Stephanie Tolan

Award-winning story about a girl who loses her mom, and finds herself, with the help of a wild dog... Christopher Award, for media that “salutes the highest values of the human spiritˮ (all readers)
 

On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

Devastating but beautifully written story of a boy's all-consuming guilt over the role he plays in the death of his best friend...
 

The Saddest Time by Norma Simon

Illness, accident, and old age provide three different scenarios in which children experience powerful emotions when someone close has died.  For children of many ages
 

Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers: How to Cope With Losing Someone You Love by Earl Grollman

With brief entries such as "Accidental Death," "Self-Inflicted Death," "Talking," "Crying," and "Going Nuts," Grollman offers advice and answers the kinds of questions that teens are likely to ask themselves when grieving the death of someone close...
 

Talking about Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child by Earl Grollman

Why do people die? How do you explain the loss of a loved one to a child? This book is a compassionate guide for adults and children to read together, featuring a readalong story, answers to questions children ask about death, and a comprehensive list of resources and organizations that can help
 

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

Novel about a teen girl losing her father to a violent crime, and dealing with her grief, her loss and the aftermath in their family... (Young adult)
 

What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies? by Trevor Romain

Someone you love dies, and your whole world changes.  Straight-forward, honest answers to common questions, with permission to feel what you're feeling... and to go on with your life.  Also available on DVD What on Earth Do You Do When Someone Dies?
 

What's Heaven? by Maria Shriver

Borne from actual questions asked by her own daughters, journalist Maria Shriver's book is a gentle narrative following the conversations that pass between a mother and a young daughter in the days immediately following the death of the child's special great-grandmother...
 

What Is Death? by Etan Boritzer

The book asks questions as a child might - what is death, what happens to the body, why does everyone want to know about death, what happens to the inside of a person (their funny stories, feelings, thoughts, ideas, love) when they die? Boritzer talks about what different cultures do with the body, different beliefs of the soul and afterlife (including people who belief nothing happens), and how making life meaningful now can help a person's memory live on...
 

When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing by Marilyn E. Gootman

A simple but powerful book that seems to cover all the little details and big concerns of the gifted child or teen who is dealing with the death of a friend...
 

Pets...       (click for resources about People)

Companion Animal Related Emotions (CARE) Pet Loss Helpline University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

People who are either grieving the loss of a companion animal or are anticipating a loss are encouraged to call (877) 394-CARE (2273).  Visit the site for additional information on the grief process, family grief, reading resources, and more
 

Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Sweet, gentle book describes an imaginary cat's life in heaven, the things they would do, and who would care for them...
 

Coping With Sorrow On The Loss Of Your Pet by Cynthia Rylant

A more "grown-up" treatment of the situation...
 

Desser the Best Ever Cat by Maggie Smith

When dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that
dogs love running best. He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields...
 

Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

When dogs go to Heaven, they don't need wings because God knows that
dogs love running best. He gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields...
 

For Every Cat An Angel by Christine Davis

Sweet, gentle book describes an imaginary cat's life in heaven, the things they would do, and who would care for them...
 

For Every Dog An Angel by Christine Davis

Sweet, gentle book describes an imaginary cat's life in heaven, the things they would do, and who would care for them...
 

Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie

A pet . . . a friend . . . or a relative dies, and it must be explained to a child. This sensitive book is a useful tool in explaining to young children that death is a part of life and that, eventually, all living things reach the end of their own special lifetimes...
 

Pet's Death Is a Family Affair CEPS/Veterinary Extension Pet Column

Losing a pet is sometimes just as hard as losing a close friend or family member...
 

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst

Barney was a cat. He died last Friday. And everyone was sad. They did what most people do when a cat they like dies. They had a funeral. And then they tried to think of good things about him. They wanted to remember him as he was; and they thought about some other things, too
 

When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers

Mister Rogers helps children share feelings of the loss of a pet while offering reassurance that grieving is a natural, healing thing to do

Last updated April 09, 2008