The sparkling lights and warmth of the holiday season can cast harsh shadows for those dealing with the absence of a loved one, making the holidays a painful rather than joyous time.
Why it matters: Stories that tackle the dim chill of grief with honesty and yet point to connection and hope, can help educators and readers alike navigate the holiday season no matter what they are facing.
Go deeper: In today’s blog we will explore five middle grade titles that embrace what remains after loss, reminding us that there is much to be grateful for even when things are hard.
Read Time: 4 minutes
“The Probability of Everything” by Sarah Everett (2023)
Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter understands the world through probabilities, but nothing could prepare her for Amplus-68, an asteroid with an 84.7% chance of colliding with Earth in four days. As Kemi struggles to make sense of her unraveling world and an unwelcoming new town, she decides to create a time capsule to preserve her family’s truth. Through this journey, Kemi must confront the hardest part of life: learning to say goodbye.
Perfect for: readers who feel like their world is ending (either literally or figuratively) and want help navigating uncertainty and finding meaning during deeply challenging times.
“Aniana del Mar Jumps In” by Jasminne Mendez (2023)
Aniana del Mar feels at home in the water, but when a chronic illness forces her to reveal her love of swimming to her overprotective mother, she’s forbidden from returning to the sea. Believing swimming is key to managing her disease, Ani must find her voice and fight for her passion. In the process, she learns to let go of who she once was and embrace the person she’s becoming.
Perfect for: readers experiencing a loss of personal identity or ability and want help feeling resilient and empowered in the face of physical and emotional challenges.
“The Shape of Thunder” by Jasmine Warga (2021)
Twelve-year-old Cora and her former best friend Quinn, separated by grief and guilt, reconnect on a mission to undo the tragedy that tore their lives apart. As they attempt to open a wormhole to rewrite the past, they discover that healing may come from mending their friendship instead. Together, they learn that moving forward is sometimes the most powerful way to honor the past.
Perfect for: readers rebuilding a life after loss or community tragedy and want help moving forward and restoring a sense of connection and safety.
“Hope in the Holler” by Lisa Lewis Tyre (2018)
After her mother’s death, Wavie returns to Conley Hollow, a place her mother wanted to leave behind, and ends up living with a cruel aunt. Despite her challenging circumstances, Wavie finds solace in the Appalachian mountains, her mother’s memory, and new friendships with kindhearted kids her aunt dismisses. With their help and her mother’s words of encouragement, Wavie discovers the courage to uncover a family secret and fight for the good life she deserves.
Perfect for: readers who feel displaced after losing a core family member or home and want help recovering a sense of belonging.
“Dear Mothman” by Robin Gow (2023)
After the loss of his best friend Lewis, Noah, a lonely trans boy, begins writing letters to Mothman, Lewis’s favorite cryptid, seeking understanding. As he delves into the mystery for his science fair project, Noah makes unexpected friends and starts to find his place, even while facing skepticism and prejudice. Determined to honor Lewis’s memory and prove Mothman’s existence, Noah takes a brave journey into the woods, risking everything for a connection that might finally help him heal.
Perfect for: readers who have lost that person who really “gets them” and need help finding the courage to build a new support system and find acceptance.
As we go into the holidays, let’s lead with empathy and remember that not everyone is in a place to feel the “holiday spirit” but with these books, they might just find a spark of hope in the darkness after all.
