When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing
Grade 6 Up–In this update of a 1994 publication, 16 short chapters deliver helpful information on subjects including: How can I stand the pain? How should I be acting? What is â€˜normal'? What if I can't handle my grief on my own? and How can I find a counselor or a therapist? Interspersed throughout the book, and placed over muted black-and-white photos of young adults from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, are quotes by teenagers who have experienced grief. The new illustrations make this edition more accessible than the earlier one. Quotes from well-known writers and philosophers give insight into the grieving process and healing. These statements allow readers to understand that they're not alone. Other topics covered include guilt, anger, confusion, fear, and numbness; the information offered reassures readers that these are all valid emotions. This edition also addresses loss through violence. Scattered throughout are pages with backgrounds that look like cork bulletin boards, which have suggestions or questions pinned to them. This compassionate, user-friendly book lists pages of resources and suggested reading, and should be made available to teens.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.