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
Preschool through 3rd grade (ages 3 through 8)
- 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)
4th through 8th grade (ages 9 through 13)
- 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)
- Bridge to Terabithia by K. Paterson (Avon Books, 1977; also on DVD)
- Children Facing Grief by Janis Romond (Abbey Press, 1989)
9th through 12th grade (ages 14 through 18)
- 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)
- 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)
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
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
- Cowbells and Courage by Pat Paige
- Does Anyone Hurt This Bad and Live by Carlene Vester Eneroth
- Waterbugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney
- Toward Peace: Prayers for the Widowed by Beverley S. Gordon
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)