Staff Picks
Feeling the Blues: Middle Grade Books About Grief
Collection
“Grief is like the ocean. It comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” - Vicki Harrison
Looking for middle grade titles about grief? Check out these amazing books that explore the ebbing and flowing feelings of loss with grace, care, and compassion.
The Songbird and the Rambutan Tree
Published in 2024
"After sabotaging her only chance to evacuate before the Japanese army invades Batavia in 1942, twelve-year-old Emmy is confined in the Tjideng prisoner-of-war camp, where she must overcome a tragedy from her past to find her voice and truly be free"-- Provided by publisher.
The In-between
Published in 2021
Cooper is lost. Ever since his father left their family three years ago, he has become distant from his friends, constantly annoyed by his little sister, Jess, and completely fed up with the pale, creepy rich girl who moved in next door, who won't stop staring at him. So when Cooper learns of an unsolved mystery his sister has discovered online, he welcomes the distraction. It's the tale of a deadly train crash that occurred a hundred years ago in which one young boy among the dead was never identified. The only distinguishing mark on him was a strange insignia on his suit coat, a symbol no one had seen before or since. Jess is fascinated by the mystery of the unknown child -- because she's seen the insignia. And, she tells Cooper, he has too. It's the symbol on the jacket of the girl next door. As they uncover more information -- and mounting evidence of the girl's seemingly impossible connection to the tragedy -- Cooper and Jess begin to wonder if a similar disaster could be heading to their hometown.
Simon Sort of Says
Published in 2023
Two years after a tragedy saddles him with viral fame, twelve-year-old Simon O'Keeffe and his family move to Grin And Bear It, Nebraska, where the internet and cell phones are banned so astrophysicists can scan the sky for signs of alien life, and where, with the help of two new friends, a puppy, and a giant radio telescope, Simon plans to restart the narrative of his life.
The Daggers of Ire
Published in 2024
Esmerelda Santos is a rare bruja, born with Chaos magic in her veins. She and her family are direct descendants of one of the four original witches, a mysterious legend about the night magic was born in San Bosco. But since the death of her mother, Esme is more concerned about healing their father's spiraling grief. When Esme finds a heart spell in a forbidden grimorio, she thinks it could be the answer to making her dad whole again. But before she can try, she and her best friend, Tiago, discover that their families and all the town's witches have vanished, along with their magic, which keeps San Bosco alive. The only way to save them and the town is to find an original witch, impossible, since no one has actually ever seen one. With a witch hunter on their tail, Esme and Tiago journey to a banished realm where forbidden magic runs wild. Here the two must embrace their powers and confront the legend's terrible truths... or risk losing their families and their magic forever.
Miracle
Published in 2023
Amie struggles to find herself through friendship and music in the wake of her father's death.
One Big Open Sky
Published in 2024
"In the 1870s, a Black family undertakes a perilous wagon journey westward for a tenuous shot at freedom in Nebraska"-- Provided by publisher.
Morning Sun in Wuhan
Published in 2022
What was the pandemic of the century like at the start? This swift, gripping novel captures not only the uncertainty and panic when COVID first emerged in Wuhan, but also how a community banded together. Weaving in the tastes and sounds of the historic city, Wuhan's comforting and distinctive cuisine comes to life as the reader follows 13-year-old Mei who, through her love for cooking, makes a difference in her community. Written by an award-winning author originally from Wuhan.
Call Me Adnan
Published in 2023
Twelve-year-old Adnan dreams of making it to the Ultimate Table Tennis championship, but when tragedy strikes his family, Adnan loses his passion for table tennis and must learn to channel his grief and heal.
And Then, Boom!
Published in 2024
Poverty-stricken Joseph bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him.
A Study in Secrets
Published in 2025
"12-year-old Meg is pulled into a mysterious treasure hunt at her new boarding school and must learn to work with her new classmates, who all have secrets of their own."-- Provided by publisher.
Severe and Unusual Weather
Published in 2025
Nadine and Francis find a book on how to control weather and investigate the Great Tornado of the New Millennum, which killed Francis' mother.
Next Stop
Published in 2024
Still grieving her brother's death, Pia, a soft-spoken middle-schooler, embarks on a bus tour that changes her life.
13 Ways to Say Goodbye
Published in 2025
"Nina always followed her older sister, Lily. But just before her thirteenth birthday, Lily died, leaving Nina behind forever. In the three years since she lost her sister, Nina has completed Lily's secret Before Birthday lists to continue in her footsteps. But now Nina is catching up. When Nina flies to Paris, France, and completes tasks that Lily never finished, Nina finds herself magically transported inside of her own memories, face-to-face with the ghosts of her past. With her birthday looming and the last list running out, Nina is torn between visiting her sister in her memories and adventuring in the present, including crushing hard on her art classmate, Sylvie. Should she follow Lily's instructions or try something new? And what happens when she finishes the list?"--Amazon.
The Forgotten Summer of Seneca
Published in 2025
From acclaimed author Camryn Garrett comes a middle-grade mystery with a magical twist, about a girl who goes to live with her aunt in the summer after the loss of her father--and who finds a doorway in Central Park that leads to a magically preserved historical village. Everything is changing, and twelve-year-old Rowan Robinson hates it. She's dreading having to spend her summer in New York City with her Aunt Monica, even though she used to love it. But things are just different after her father passed away. Without him, nothing about her world feels the same.
Dear Mothman
Published in 2023
After the death of his best friend and the only other trans boy at school, Noah starts writing letters expressing his feelings to the humanoid creature Mothman and risks everything when he treks into the woods to prove Mothman's existence.
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
Published in 2025
"An undead fox serving as the Usher of souls has his life upended when a mysterious badger soul appears"-- Provided by publisher.
Lion of the Sky
Published in 2024
Twelve-year-old Raj is happiest flying kites with his best friend, Iqbal. As their kites soar, Raj feels free, like his beloved India soon will be, and he can't wait to celebrate their independence. But when a British lawyer draws a line across a map, splitting India in two, Raj is thrust into a fractured world. With Partition declared, Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim families are torn apart--and Raj's Hindu and Iqbal's Muslim families are among them. Forced to flee and become refugees, Raj's family is left to start over in a new country. After suffering devastating losses, Raj must summon the courage to survive the brutal upheaval of both his country and his heart.
The Reckoning
Published in 2024
Twelve-year-old Lamar dreams of becoming a filmmaker, but when his grandfather is killed in a racist act of violence, Lamar becomes determined to honor his legacy by documenting the fight for justice.
Kira-Kira
Published in 2004
Bringing Back Kay-Kay
Published in 2024
When Lena's beloved older brother goes missing at the end of summer camp, the bottom drops out of Lena's world. The police dismiss Kay-Kay's disappearance as that of just another teenage runaway, but Lena knows they are wrong. Tired of not being listened to, powerless to reach her parents through their grief and unable to imagine a future without her brother in it, Lena sets off to find him. As Lena journeys across India to retrace Kay-Kay's last known steps, she embarks on a parallel journey of discovery. Because it seems there is a side to Kay-Kay she has never known. The more she learns about her brother in the weeks leading up to his disappearance, the more determined Lena is to find him - and to finally be the sister he has so clearly needed. But will she be too late?
Wildful
Published in 2024
"Discover the magic of the wilderness in this breathtaking graphic novel reminiscent of a modern-day The Secret Garden. Poppy's mother hasn't been the same since Gran passed away. She stays inside and watches TV, unable to leave the couch. So maybe that's why Poppy has started spending more time outside, taking her dog Pepper for walks around the neighborhood. When Pepper leads Poppy through a hole in the fence, she finds a forgotten forest that's been there all along, as well as a new friend named Rob. Rob teaches Poppy that you can find magic in the wilderness - if you know where to look! Poppy looks, and then she looks closer ... and sees flowers opening before her eyes, watches animals slip into their hidden homes, and listens to the sound of water droplets falling gently on puddles, leaves and feathers. She can barely wait to tell Mum about everything she's seen, and asks her to come see, too - but her mother rarely has the energy to leave the couch. Will Poppy ever be able help her mother see the beauty in the woods - and in life? This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is an exploration of grief, love, and finding magic in the wilderness - and in ourselves."-- Provided by publisher.
Red, White, and Whole
Published in 2021
"Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she's the only Indian American student, and home, with her family's traditions and holidays. But Reha's parents don't understand why she's conflicted-they only notice when Reha doesn't meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma, although their names are linked-Reha means "star" and Punam means "moon"--But they are a universe apart. Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick. Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can't stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She'll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma's life"-- Provided by publisher
Gut Reaction
Published in 2024
Tess Medina is dealing with the loss of her beloved father, a new school, and the troubling fact that the thing she enjoys most in life, baking, seems to be making her increasingly ill--something she is trying to hide from everybody.
Ruby Lost and Found
Published in 2023
"It's the summer after seventh grade, and Ruby Chu is feeling more lost than ever. Her best friends aren't speaking to her. She ended the year in detention. Her sister's about to leave for college. Ruby's still grieving her grandfather Ye-Ye when it seems like no one else is. And without Ye-Ye and his annual scavenger hunts across San Francisco, their hometown doesn't really feel like home anymore. Things get worse when Ruby's forced to spend the summer with her distant grandmother Nai-Nai in Chinatown. Then the looming shutdown of a beloved former scavenger hunt stop, May's Bakery, and a secret about Nai-Nai threaten to change everything. Even though Ruby feels out of place, maybe this summer of forming unexpected friendships and fighting to save the bakery will help Ruby reconnect with the world -- and discover what it means to find home again." -- Jacket flap.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Published in 2019
Seventh-grader Tristan Strong tumbles into the MidPass and, with allies John Henry and Brer Rabbit, must entice the god Anansi to come out of hiding and seal the hole Tristan accidentally ripped in the sky.
Crumble
Published in 2025
"Emily, her mom, and her aunt Gina have a very special magical power: They can bake emotions into the desserts they sell at their family bakery. Need a dash of confidence? Try their millionaire shortbread! Want relief after a stressful day? The cheesecake will lighten your spirits! There is only one rule: Never bake a bad feeling. Every day after school, Emily and her best friend, Dae, make tried-and-true recipes, while she and Aunt Gina brainstorm new ones. But when Aunt Gina dies in an accident, Emily's life is turned upside down. Not knowing what to do, Emily breaks the rule and bakes her bad feelings into… a crumble. It looks gross. Dae says it tastes gross. But they can't stop eating it. Neither can Emily's classmates. And with her grief and pain baked into the crumble, Emily gets the comfort of being at least a little numb. So even though she's not supposed to, she makes it again, and again, and again. But baking (and eating) bad feelings doesn't really make them go away…" -- Provided by publisher.
The Trouble with Sunshine
Published in 2025
"Doran's mom, Isa, taught her to be bold and challenge the rules if they don't seem fair. People are more important than rules. But she never taught Dorani how to do it all without her. So, when Isa dies on the way to speak with the principal about Dori's latest revolution, Dori loses her voice. Her grief and guilt become the loudest parts of her. Moving from vibrant Miami to quiet, middle-of-nowhere Wyoming with her aunt feels like the punishment she deserves."-- Publisher description.
Once for Yes
Published in 2025
Told in alternating voices, the Odenburgh, a semi-sentient apartment building, helps grieving eleven-year-old Prue and her neighbor Lewis unite the other tenants to save itself from demolition.
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness
Published in 2024
"Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. Ever since her obaachan died, though, Obon has lost its magic. She doesn't feel much like celebrating anymore. While avoiding holiday festivities, Anzu spots a stray dog down the street. A dog that seems to be staring right at her. But when she chases after it, she slips and falls down a ridge, losing consciousness. When she awakes, she's in the Shinto underworld known as Yomi, a place she's only heard about in Obaachan's stories. The stray dog, she finds out, is actually the Gatekeeper of Yomi, and he warns her to return to the human realm before it's too late. Only, getting home is not as simple as she'd thought. Faced with the nefarious Queen Izanami of Yomi and a world full of creatures she'd once thought weren't real, the race against the clock is on. She must break a curse, free the spirits of other lost children, and reach the gate home before sunrise...or be stuck in Yomi forever"--Publisher's website.
The Dog Who Made It Better
Published in 2025
"Dr. Blob, the family dog, must find a way to protect his family once tragedy strikes"-- Provided by publisher.
The Wonderful Wishes of B
Published in 2024
Ten-year-old Beatrice makes some incredible wishes in an attempt to deal with grief and loss.
Hope in the Valley
Published in 2023
Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul deals with change, grief, friendship, and growing up in a community facing a housing crisis.
How to Talk to Your Succulent
Published in 2025
"Eleven-year-old Adara and her dad are moving from California to the cold and flat lands of Michigan . . . and it sucks. After Mom's recent passing, it seems way too soon. Talking to Dad has always been harder than with Mom, but now it's like walking around eggshells. And why did Dad bring so many of Mom's houseplants across the country? Her mother might have been called the Plant Whisperer back home, but Adara is beginning to wonder if there is something more to it. And when she meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mother had: talking to plants! But taking care of Perle isn't as easy as it seems -- the environment isn't suited for her, and Adara doesn't know how to meet her needs. Kind of like the situation Adara herself is in. If only Perle could ask Adara for help . . . and Adara could ask her dad. With a touch of magic, this debut middle-grade graphic novel explores loneliness, mental health and empathy, and shows how communication, openness and a willingness to listen can help young people -- and older people -- and plants! -- navigate their mental well-being and heal from loss, individually and together."-- Provided by publisher.
World Made of Glass
Published in 2023
"Iris opens her eyes to hard truths and the power of her voice when her father dies of AIDS in 1987"-- Provided by publisher.
Find Her
Published in 2024
"Twelve-year-old Wren fights to find her missing Cherokee mother, while also navigating a chilling town mystery, a new friendship, and a family in need of healing"-- Provided by publisher.
The Pecan Sheller
Published in 2025
In 1930s San Antonio, after her father's death, thirteen-year-old Petra must quit school to work at a pecan shelling factory where dangerous conditions and low wages push her to take a vital stand for change.
El Niño
Published in 2025
Over the course of a California summer, Kai, a competitive swimmer in training, learns about a legendary Amazonian queen, about El Nino and about letting go of grief.
Maybe It's a Sign
Published in 2024
Seventh-grader Freya June Sun is obsessed with Chinese superstition and signs she believes are from her late father, but an unexpected partnership with a classmate leads her on a path of self-discovery as she learns to rely on herself for luck.
Finding Lost
Published in 2025
"A stray dog helps a girl cope with the loss of her father and leads her to meet something new and special"-- Provided by publisher.
A Comb of Wishes
Published in 2022
Twelve-year-old Kela is still mourning her mother when she finds a mermaid's comb while she and her friend are looking for sea glass on her Caribbean island; such combs have magic in them, and touching it opens a connection to the mermaid Ophidia who can grant her wish, to bring her mother back to life--but all wishes have consequences, and magic demands a price which may prove to be more painful than the loss of her mother.
Eden's Everdark
Published in 2022
Twelve-year-old Eden, on a visit to her late mother's birthplace of Safina Island, Georgia, discovers a creepy sketchbook that leads her to Everdark--a spirit world ruled by an evil witch who Eden must defeat in order to make it back home.
Schooled
Published in 2025
Eleven-year-old Lenny navigates grief while grudgingly attending an experimental middle school located on the college campus where his father teaches.
Lion Dancers
Published in 2024
"A boy feels his passion for lion dancing re-igniting after the death of his father, and so he decides to join the local junior team, where his ex-best friend becomes his new rival"-- Provided by publisher.
The Shape of Thunder
Published in 2021
Estranged from the best friend whose brother killed her sister in a school shooting, a grieving Cora receives a message on her twelfth birthday from her friend, asking for her help with creating a time portal to prevent the tragedy.
All the Blues in the Sky
Published in 2025
When thirteen-year-old Sage's best friend dies, Sage struggles with grief and feels that she is at fault, but when she joins a grief group, she slowly learns to heal.
Mid-Air
Published in 2024
Thirteen-year-old Isaiah grapples with the loss of his best friend as he strives to fit into a world that expects him to toughen up, which leads him on a exploration of identity and vulnerability.
Candle Island
Published in 2025
"Lucretia Sanderson has a secret. Lucretia and her mother have come to tiny Candle Island, Maine (Population: Summer, 986; Winter, 315) to escape--escape memories of the car accident that killed her father and escape the journalists that hound her mother, a famous and reclusive artist. The rocky coast and ocean breeze are a welcome respite for Lucretia, who dedicates her summer days to painting, exploring the island, and caring for an orphaned osprey chick. But Candle Island has secrets of its own--a hidden room in her new house, a mysterious boy with a beautiful voice--and just like the strong tides that surround the shores, they will catch Lucretia in their wake. With an unforgettable New England setting and a complex web of relationships old and new, Candle Island is a powerful story about art, loss, and the power of being true to your own voice"-- Provided by publisher.
A Sky of Paper Stars
Published in 2023
After making an ill-fated wish that results in the death of her grandmother, Halmoni, in Korea, guilt-ridden Yuna finds her body turning into paper and must bring Halmoni back or turn into paper forever.