Books

A message from the Director:

We suggest starting with the books listed here, and we welcome your suggestions for other books to add to the list. Feel free to email your comments and recommendations to us.

Victoria Stephan

Young Children (ages 2 through 7)

  • Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope by Donna O’Toole (Celo Press, 1998)
  • The Accident by C. Carrick (Seabury Press, 1976)
  • About Gramma by Vaunda M. Nelson (So China Printing, 1988)
  • A Father Like That by C. Zolotov (Harper& Row, 1971)
  • Friends by Helme Hein (Aladdin Books, 1986)
  • Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola (Putnam, 2000)
  • What Does Grief Feel Like? By Korie Leigh
  • When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown

Español

  • El Conejo Escucho by Cori Doerrfel
  • El Hilo Invisible by Patrice Karst|
  • El Libro del Adios by Todd Parr

Children (ages 8 through 12)

  • A Kids Book About Grief by Brennan Wood
  • A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth
  • A terrible thing happened by Margaret M. Holmes
  • All the Pieces: When a loved one dies from substance use by Hallie Riggs
  • Am I Like My Daddy? by Marcy Blesy
  • Am I Still a Sister? by Alicia M. Sims (Sims Publications, 1986)
  • An Elephant in the Living Room by Jill Hastings and Marion Tuppo (CompCare Press, 1977)
  • Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (Harper & Row, 1952; also on DVD)
  • The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter (University of New Mexico Press, 1976)
  • Beyond the Ridge by Paul Goble
  • Bridge to Terabithia by K. Paterson (Avon Books, 1977; also on DVD)
  • Children Facing Grief by Janis Romond (Abbey Press, 1989)
  • I Have a Question About Death: Clear Answers for All Kids, Including Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Special Needs by Arlen Gaines

Español

  • El Pajaro Muerto by Margaret Wise Brown
  • En busca del Sancocho by Mario Serrano

Teens (ages 13 through 17)

  • A Shelter for Sadness by Anne Booth
  • After Suicide by John Hewitt (Westminster Press, 1980)
  • Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (Doubleday, 1952; also on DVD)
  • Brian Piccolo: A Short Season by Jeannie Morris (Dell, 1972; also on DVD)
  • Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
  • Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved
  • Eric by Doris Lund (Lippencott, 1974)
  • I Heard the Owl Call My Name by M. Craven (Doubleday, 1973)
  • Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom (Random House, 2002)
  • The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (Hyperion Press, 2007)
  • The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (Random House, 2004)
  • Weird Is Normal When Teenagers Grieve by Jenny Lee Wheeler
  • When a friend dies by Marilyn E. Gootman
  • You Are Not Alone: Teens talk about life after the loss of a parent by Lynne B. Hughes

Adults

  • After the Funeral by Jane Loretta Winsch (Paulist Press, 1995)
  • Healing and Growing Through Grief by Donna O’Toole (Compassion Books, 1993)
  • Praying Through Grief by Maureeyn O’Brien
    (resources for prayer services for those grieving a loss)
  • What Can I Say? by Kelly Osmour
  • In Times of Illness by Robert Hamma
  • Through Good Times and Bad by Robert Hamma and Kahtyn Schneider
  • Simply Surrender by John Kirvan
  • Peace of Heart by John Kirvan
  • You Shall Not Want by Richard Chilson
  • Befriend the Darkness, Welcome the Light by Joyce Rupp
  • Life Interrupted by Paulina Rael Jaramillo M.A.
  • Life Resumed, by Paulina Rael Jaramillo M.A.

Adult Children (Older Parent’s Death)

  • Recovering from the Loss of a Parent by Katharine Fair Donnelly

Caregivers

  • In Times of Caregiving by Robert Hamma
  • The Circle of Life byJoyce Rupp
  • Take Five by Joseph Champlin
  • Riding the Dragon by Robert Wicks
  • Walking With Those Who Hurt by Joyce Rupp
  • May I Walk You Home by Joyce Rupp
  • Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp

Holiday Coping

  • Not Just Another Day by Missy Lowery

Widows/Widowers

For further reading click on these offsite resources :

Ave Maria Press
Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana
(1-800-282-1865)

Centering Corporation
Omaha, Nebraska
(1-866-218-0101)

Franciscan Media
(1-800-488-0488)