Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Death and grief

Book SynopsisA stunning novel about the transformative power of love, perfect for fans of 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher.Sixteen-year-old physics nerd Aysel is obsessed with plotting her own death. With a mother who can barely look at her without wincing, classmates who whisper behind her back, and a father whose violent crime rocked her small town, Aysel is ready to turn her potential energy into nothingness.There''s only one problem: she''s not sure she has the courage to do it alone. But once she discovers a website with a section called Suicide Partners, Aysel''s convinced she''s found her solution''Roman, a teenage boy who''s haunted by a family tragedy, is looking for a partner.Even though Aysel and Roman have nothing in common, they slowly start to fill in each other''s broken lives. But as their suicide pact becomes more concrete, Aysel begins to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Ultimately, she must choose between wanting to die or trying to convince Roman to live so they can discover the potential of their energy together.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Rival cross-country high school athletes Corinne and Maggie are lovers but have kept their relationship a secret; when Maggie dies, Corinne is left to grieve alone. The story is told in alternating before/after timelines, so readers experience Corinne’s romance with Maggie as well as the aftermath of her death. Suspense is ramped up well as the plot develops to reveal who else knew about but kept their relationship a secret, why, and at what cost. The focus on bisexuality is welcome." — Kirkus Reviews "A beautiful, poised, and thought-provoking debut about love, loss, coming out, and discovering living life on your own terms." — New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Glasgow

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Book SynopsisAfter the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience.   When Zack’s younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from the pain. Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks, including the great domed stone Tower with its cryptic message hidden in the ceiling. Zack blames himself for his sister’s death, and he struggles to find comfort in his new surroundings. Until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there’s something that seems a bit strange about Ann—and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him. This masterful novel thoughtfully explores how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.'Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story….An adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers.' —Booklist 'Guterson sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure.' —Publishers Weekly 'The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story....An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel.' —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisAfter the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience.   When Zack’s younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from the pain. Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks, including the great domed stone Tower with its cryptic message hidden in the ceiling. Zack blames himself for his sister’s death, and he struggles to find comfort in his new surroundings. Until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there’s something that seems a bit strange about Ann—and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him. This masterful novel thoughtfully explores how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.'Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story….An adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers.' —Booklist 'Guterson sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure.' —Publishers Weekly 'The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story....An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel.' —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA BCCB Blue Ribbon Best Book of the Year • A Children's Book Council 6th to 8th Grade Favorites Award List PickAn award-winning children’s book creator grapples with the challenges of his childhood in this poignant and honest illustrated memoir, for fans of Good Different and Mexikid.   Benny Brooks has a lot on his mind: his older brother won’t stop picking on him, his crush has no idea he exists, and he’s struggling in every class except art. If that weren’t enough, his parents got divorced over the summer. Benny just wants to survive the fifth grade—and maybe learn how to ride his best friend Theo’s hot rod bike.  ​Featuring Benny’s comic illustrations on every page, this bighearted story sheds light on the transformative nature of growing up—especially when there’s family, friendship, and art to guide you.  *Tw

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Book SynopsisA glittering story about life and loss that follows Amie as she learns to heal and move forward over the course of a life-changing year, for fans of When You Trap a Tiger and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.  Amie has spent her life perfectly in tune with Ba-ba, her father—she plays the violin, his favorite instrument; she loves all his favorite foods, even if he can’t eat them during his cancer treatments; and they talk about books, including Amie’s favorite series, Harry Potter. But after Ba-ba dies, Amie feels distanced from everyone close to her, like her mother and her best friends, Rio and Bella. More devastating still, she loses her ability to play the violin—the notes that used to flow freely are now stilted and sharp. Will Amie ever find her way back to the music she once loved?  With hope and harmony lighting the way—and with help from the people who care about her most—Amie must fin

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Book SynopsisAtticus and his goldfish Chip share memories in this tender and beautifully illustrated picture book about losing a pet.  Atticus wakes at his usual time, ready to feed Chip. But when he reaches the fishbowl, Chip is gone. When Atticus asks his loved ones where Chip is, he gets a range of answers in the form of gentle but evasive ways of explaining the concept of death: Chip is in a better place; Chip has moved on. These ideas are confusing for Atticus.  Told from a child’s point of view, this honest depiction highlights the importance of memory as a coping strategy when grieving the loss of a loved one. Memories live in our hearts and keep our loved ones with us. This gentle story is an imaginative meditation on healing from grief.  ★ 'Whimsical, appealing, and gently humorous…. Gastaldi is like a magician; both the text and illustrations retain a light touch as the child deals with his loss.... Perfectl

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