First published 2001
Young readers facing the death of a family member often find themselves surrounded by silence when they most need understanding. Wilson creates a compassionate resource that speaks directly to preteens wrestling with their first encounter with mortality. The book acknowledges the complex emotions that arise when a loved one dies or faces terminal illness, particularly when family members struggle to discuss what is happening. Wilson addresses the guilt, sadness, anger, and confusion that young people experience during these difficult times. The book serves as a bridge between the unspoken realities of family grief and the urgent questions that preteens carry but may not know how to voice. Written with careful attention to the emotional needs of its young audience, the book provides both guidance and validation for readers dealing with recent loss or anticipating the death of someone close to them.
Genres: psychology, family-life, grief, contemporary, non-fiction
Vibes: compassionate, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, grief
52 pages · Paperback · Rosen Publishing Group
Content warnings: death, terminal-illness