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Adler, C. S. Ghost Brother. New York, N.Y.: Clarion Books, 1990.
Wally's older brother, Jon-o, died while he was rescuing a drowning child. Wally is finding life difficult without Jon-o and often imagines Jon-o as a ghost, who offers Wally advice. Wally wants to be more like Jon-o, a daredevil, but he isn't as athletic or foolhardy. Wally tries to take Jon-o's place, but his mother reassures him he doesn't have to, and that Jon-o loved Wally for who he is. As Wally comes to terms with life without Jon-o, Jon-o's ghost disappears.
SIBLING ACCIDENT
Arnold, Caroline, illustrated by Helen K. Davie. What We Do When Someone Dies. New York, N.Y.: Franklin Watts, 1987.
This book is also recommended for the 5-7 Age Group.
Chapters include: All Living Things Die; What Happens to the Body; Death Announcements; The Funeral Ceremony; After the Funeral; Remembering the Dead; Beliefs About Death. Information found in the text includes: death certificates; autopsy; embalming; epitaphs; life insurance policies; the eulogy; memorials (for example, the Taj Mahal). Beliefs About Death includes Christian and Hindu. It finishes with [e]ven though people we know do die, they continue to stay alive in our memories of them.
NON-FICTION
Bauer, Marion Dane. On My Honour. Bath, U.K.: Chivers, 1989.
[Also published as On My Honor].
Joel dares his best friend, Tony, to swim to the sandbar in the river. Tony, who is not a strong swimmer, disappears. In his guilt and confusion Joel hides and doesn't tell anybody what has happened. The truth comes out later that night in front of police, Joel's and Tony's parents. Joel's dad is there to help Joel through his guilt, but not to absolve him.
PEER ACCIDENT
Bo, Arno. I Must Tell You Something. London, U.K.: Bloomsbury Publishing, 1996.
[Also published as Something Very Sorry by Arno Bohlmeijer]
The story is told in diary form through the eyes of the author's 9-year-old daughter, Rosemyn. It tells of the family's car accident which left all four members injured, Rosemyn's mother fatally. The family's belief in the afterlife and the strong support they receive from other family and friends sustains them. Rosemyn's anger at her father's driving, at the time of the accident, is shown including a confrontation between the two. An insight into one family's passage through grief.
PARENT ACCIDENT
Cartwright, Pauline. What! No TV? Auckland, N.Z.: Ashton Scholastic, 1993.
New Zealand
Joseph spends ten days on holiday with his grandfather in New Zealand, a grandfather he has never seen. During this time Joseph begins to see a clearer picture of the man his late father was. Joseph's grandfather tells Joseph that death will be his next big adventure, something that becomes reality soon after Joseph returns home to Melbourne. Joseph realises that his grandfather was right, and that death is just part of life.GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
Cowley, Joy, illustrated by Robyn Belton. Bow Down Shadrach. Auckland, N.Z.: Hodder and Stoughton, 1991.
New Zealand
Sophie and Joe decide to send their old and failing horse, Shadrach, to a dog food factory but lie about to their children Hannah, Mikey and Sky. In their small town the secret is not kept for long and Hannah instigates a rescue mission. The children rescue Shadrach, creating chaos in their wake. Shadrach dies after the rescue but is surrounded by the children. The family and friends conduct a memorial service for Shadrach, thereby acknowledging the strength of the children's bond with him. Sophie tries to persuade the children to get a new horse, but as Mikey says "If one of us died and people said you should adopt a new child ...". The story ends on a happy note, with the promise of Shadrach's foal. Followed by two sequels Gladly, Here I Come and Shadrach Girl.
PET OLD AGE
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Dineen, Jacqueline, illustrated by Robert Ingpen. Rites of Passage (Peoples and Customs of the World). Surrey, U.K.: Dragon's World, 1995.
A book for people studying death across the cultures, this book has sections on: Birth; Initiation; Marriage; Death. In Death subjects discussed include: protection after death; burial in ancient Peru; the afterlife and different cultural views on it; grieving; mourning clothes; Buddhist and Hindu funerals; and remembering the death.
NON-FICTION
Donnelly, Elfie, translated by Anthea Bell. So Long, Grandpa. New York, N.Y.: Crown Publishers, 1981.
This is the story of ten-year-old Michael and his close relationship with his Grandpa, who is dying of liver cancer. The story is now rather dated in tone but it contains some timeless truths. Michael's mother tries to keep Michael and his older sister, Linda, out of the situation but Michael wants to be included and to spend time with his grandfather. The main truth, taught by Grandpa, is [Grandpa] isn't really dead, not as long as someone is still thinking of him.
GRANDPARENT CANCER
Ellis, Sarah. A Family Project. New York, N.Y.: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1986.
[Also published as The Baby Project]
Jessica's family are overjoyed with the addition of Lucie, their new baby sister. The book spends a lot of time on Jessica and her family's day-to-day life, including Jessica and her best friend, Margaret's, Baby Project for school. But one night, while Jessica is at a friend's place, baby Lucie dies of cot death. The book then follows the family's reactions as each member grieves differently. At the end of the novel Jessica is beginning to celebrate Lucie's short life.
SIBLING INFANT DEATH
Fletcher, Ralph. Fig Pudding. New York, N.Y.: Clarion Books, 1995.
Cliff is the oldest of six children and tells the story of a year in his family's life. The family has the normal ups and downs of family life, but this year is different as this year brings the death of Brad, the gullible second-youngest. One of the best descriptions of the grief process are shared with Cliff by his Uncle Billy, a war veteran:
"When someone you love dies, you get a big bowl of sadness put down in front of you, steaming hot. You can start eating now, or you can let it cool and eat it bit by bit later one. Either way, you end up eating the whole thing. There's really no way around it."
SIBLING ACCIDENT
Fox, Paula. Western Wind. New York, N.Y.: Orchard Books, 1993.
Elizabeth has been sent to stay with her grandmother after the birth of her brother. Elizabeth feels resentful and jealous of the baby. After her grandmother's young neighbour, Aaron, disappears Elizabeth learns that her grandmother is dying. The search for Aaron results in Elizabeth's grandmother's hospitalisation and eventual death.
GRANDPARENT ILLNESS
Fraser, Christine Marion. Beyond the Rainbow. London, U.K.: Lions, 1994.
Kirsty and Jean meet in hospital while they are both receiving treatment for cancer. Once they are in remission they spend a holiday together on Jean's home island of Sanda, however Jean's cancer reappears. Once home, Kirsty's regular check-up shows that she, too, is out of remission. Kirsty pulls through this new set-back, but Jean doesn't make it.PEER CANCER
Gerstein, Mordicai. The Mountains of Tibet: a Child's Journey Through Living and Dying. Bath, U.K.: Barefoot Books, 1993.
Although the text is at a level understandable for a younger age group, the concepts considered are more appropriate for this group. This is a retelling of the Tibetan Buddhist teachings about death and reincarnation for children. It is beautifully illustrated and is a good introduction to the philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism and reincarnation.
NON-FICTION
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Gleeson, Libby. Dodger. Victoria Park, W.A.: Turton and Chambers, 1990.
Australian
This book shows the damage that can be done to a young child by not acknowledging their grief and loss. Mick's mother died three years earlier and he now lives with his grandmother as his father is a long-distance truck driver. Mick has never properly grieved for his mother's death, and all of the emotion explodes during the school production. He and his father begin to connect, and Mick to grieve, with the help of a special teacher.
PARENT ILLNESS
Gleitzman, Morris. Two Weeks with the Queen. Sydney, N.S.W.: Pan, 1990.
Australian
Colin's little brother, Luke, is diagnosed with cancer. In their grief and shock the boy's parents send Colin to his aunt and uncle in England, while telling him little about the diagnosis. Colin convinces himself that the Queen's doctor will be able to cure Luke and sets about contacting the Queen in order to find the best doctor in the world. Numerous comic interludes occur while Colin pursues his quest. While doing so Colin befriends Ted whose partner, Griff, is dying of AIDS. Colin becomes part of Griff's last days, supporting both Griff and Ted. Through this experience Colin knows he has to be with Luke during his last days. Colin's magical thinking is all too real and he and Ted's grief, while downplayed, is powerful.
SIBLING CANCER
Hamilton, Virginia. Cousins. New York, N.Y.: Philomel Books, 1990.
Cammy doesn't get along with her cousin Patty Ann who seems to be taking her friend, L.O.D. away. During an outdoor activity L.O.D. falls into the river and Patty Ann dives in to save her. Patty Ann manages to save L.O.D. but drowns in the attempt. Cammy blames herself, as she wished Patty Ann to go away, and is visited by Patty Ann in her nightmares. Patty Ann's mother's grief is excessive to the point of upsetting the whole community. Cammy's family rallies around her to help her out of her depression, which is also manifested in physical sickness. A visit from Cammy's grandmother, who is dying from old age, helps Cammy as Gram explains the place of death within life. A story set within Southern Black American culture.
RELATIVE ACCIDENT
Hermes, Patricia. You Shouldn't Have to Say Good-bye. San Diego, Calif.: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
Sarah's mother is diagnosed with incurable melanoma. The only factor in the book which dates it, and sets it apart from the New Zealand experience, is Sarah's unfamiliarity with melanoma. Sarah goes through most of the stages of anticipatory grief, including denial. Sarah's mother dies late Christmas Eve, at home, with Sarah and her father present. Sarah's mother leaves Sarah a notebook with everything she felt Sarah needed to know.
PARENT CANCER
Hill, David. See Ya, Simon. Wellington, N.Z.: Mallinson Rendell, 1992.
New Zealand
Nathan tells of his friendship with Simon, who has muscular dystrophy. During the course of the novel Simon's condition deteriorates, with periodic hospital stays. Simon is very open that he will not survive to adulthood. Nathan's mother is supportive and encourages Nathan to talk about his true feelings about Simon and Simon's fate. In the course of this discussion the feelings of grief are raised. The book ends after Simon's friends visit his body the day after his death. A realistic book, enlivened by moments of humour, usually instigated by Simon, who doesn't let his impending death interfere with his life.
PEER ILLNESS
Hirsch, Karen. Ellen Anders on Her Own. New York, N.Y.: Macmillan, 1994.
Six months after her mother's death, in a car accident, Ellen finds her mother's diary written when she was 12 years old. Ellen and her father have a strong relationship, one in which Ellen's mother is discussed frequently and their relationships are maintained. The book details Ellen's friendship problems and those problems that come of being 11 years old. Ellen knows life would be easier with her mother there to talk to but she finds comfort in her memories and the diary.
PARENT ACCIDENT
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