A Guide To Grief by Cole Imperi Illustrated by Bianca Jagoe

Billed  as “the wise friend you need when you experience loss,” this non-fiction book may be needed in your self-help section.  Organized into nine chapters with plenty of white space and black and white illustrations, the introductory first chapter is  “for everyone” and then the book goes on to distinguish between “deathloss” (loss of a person or pet) and “shadowloss” (loss of a thing), the feelings present within grief, and how to support others through grief.  

Imperi and Jagoe make a noteworthy effort to be inclusive by presenting five fictitious young people experiencing grief in illustrations and sidebars. Backmatter includes prompts for journaling, a note for adults supporting young people in grief, bountiful and international resources, an index, a bibliography, and extensive acknowledgements.  Accessible to those reading at middle grade levels and up.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Imperi, Cole.  A Guide to Grief.  Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2024.

Untwine: a Novel by Edwidge Danticat

Living in Miami, identical, Haitian-American twins Giselle and Isabelle Boyer have distinct interests and personalities. But underlying their individualities are two souls entwined.  When the family suffers a devastating car accident, Isabelle is killed and Giselle struggles as she feels herself untwine from Isabelle.  Giselle recognizes that she is a living physical reminder of the girl Isabelle was and will continue to grow into the woman Isabelle would have looked like.  Old relationships transform into something different in this new reality, as does Giselle’s own perception of herself.  A good read for older teen readers seeking a bit of introspection. --Anne Lotito-Schuh

Danticat, Edwidge. Untwine: a Novel. New York: Scholastic Press, 2015. Print.