Posts Tagged loss

Season of Shift: 5 MG Books About Coping With Winter Upheaval

By on December 26, 2025   /   Book Lists, Fiction  
The book cover of "The 12 Dares of Christa" features colorful, small gift boxes with bows scattered on a white background. The tone is playful and festive.

Growing up, my parents always made this time of year special with festive lights, delicious food, and beloved family rituals. As an adult, I always enjoyed recreating that joy with my own family during the winter.  Unfortunately, life isn’t always predictable and this year I find myself navigating divorce with a 10-year old in the mix. While researching potential books to offer my child some literary comfort, I noticed how few middle-grade novels address kids coping with major life changes during this season (*hint* *hint* fellow writers). I did, however, uncover five incredible stories that feature a diverse cast of children (and parents) learning to cope, adapt, and find joy through uncertainty during the winter months.

Why it Matters: Children experiencing big life changes need stories that validate their emotions, offer strategies for resilience, and normalize the messy mix of grief and growth that often accompanies these changes, especially during the winter holidays. Reading these novels can help kids feel seen and provide gentle guidance for navigating change this time of year.

Go Deeper: For readers and those supporting them who want middle grade novels that tackle the tough-stuff during the winter/holiday months, these five books are sure to fit the bill. 

Read Time: 4 minutes

Cover of "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day. A girl in a red coat and pink hat stands facing a wintery, snow-covered landscape with trees. Calm, introspective mood.

“The Sea in Winter” by Christine Day (2021)

Maisie, a talented Native girl and former dancer, faces a life-changing injury that forces her to give up her dream. Over the course of winter, she grapples with grief, identity, and belonging while reconnecting with her heritage and community.

Perfect for: Readers navigating setbacks or major life changes.

Colorful illustrated book cover of "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" shows lively brownstone buildings amidst a vibrant city skyline.

“The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street” by Karina Yan Glaser (2017)

The multiracial Vanderbeeker kids face the possible loss of their beloved brownstone just before the holidays. Together, they hatch creative plans to save their home and keep their family intact.

Perfect for: Readers who crave chaotic family adventures and lessons about teamwork and perseverance.

Book cover for "Dreidels on the Brain" by Joel ben Izzy. A person in a tuxedo and top hat with dreidels orbiting their hat, an orange obscures their face, against a cloud-dotted blue sky. The tone is whimsical and playful.

“Dreidels on the Brain” by Joel ben Izzy (2016)

Joel, the only Jewish kid at school, struggles with family pressures and isolation. During Hanukkah, he navigates challenges at home and school, learning hope, resilience, and the power of connection.

Perfect for: Readers feeling “different” during holiday celebrations.

Two smiling children stand hand in hand outside snow-covered houses. A cat sits in a window, and a menorah is visible in another. Text reads "Let it Glow."

“Let It Glow” by Marissa Meyer & Joanne Levy (2024)

Twins Aviva and Holly, separated at birth, discover each other just before the holidays. They swap households to experience each family’s celebrations, uncovering identity, belonging, and the meaning of family.

Perfect for: Readers exploring identity, belonging, and blended family dynamics.

The book cover of "The 12 Dares of Christa" features colorful, small gift boxes with bows scattered on a white background. The tone is playful and festive.

“The 12 Dares of Christa” by Marissa Burt (2017)

Christa’s parents are separating just before Christmas, threatening her “perfect” holiday. Her father sends twelve holiday dares for her to complete during her trip to Europe, helping her find joy, connection, and resilience despite the upheaval.

Perfect for: Readers coping with family change, divorce, or disrupted holiday traditions.

In Closing: 

If you know a reader who is facing a tough winter, these books may offer the comfort and clarity they need to navigate their season of change. Because sometimes the right story is all the coziness we need.

Until next time, remember: 💔+ 📚 = ❤️‍🩹

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Light After Loss: 5 MG Books Appreciating What Remains

By on November 21, 2024   /   Book Lists, Fiction  

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 book cover

“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 book cover

“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 book cover

“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 book cover

“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 book cover
“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.

Until next time, remember: 💔+ 📚 = ❤️‍🩹

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