Middle Grade Grief Fiction

Experiencing grief can be confusing and difficult to put into words, especially for kids. Fiction books can be such a helpful tool and coping mechanism, especially when stories are relatable to your own experiences. Read on for some excellent middle grade books about grief.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Suzy is convinced that her best friend’s death has something to do with jellyfish, and she sets off to prove this. Along the way, she must learn to cope with what really happened. This novel is heartfelt, hopeful, and full of exploration. 

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
You’d think Jerome’s story would be over after being fatally shot by police who mistook his toy for a real gun, but his ghost lives on to tell his story. In the afterlife, he learns he is not alone when he meets Emmett Till, and though their lives were decades apart, they share some haunting similarities. This book explores police brutality and what it means to be Black in America in the present day. 

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow may be a genius, but that comes with the price of struggling to connect with those around her. When her parents both die in a car crash, her world is turned upside down, and her journey of grief and searching for connection is strikingly beautiful. 

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
Told in verse, this novel follows young Noah, a trans boy, as he writes letters to the cryptid Mothman to help him grieve the death of his best friend. This book is equally heavy and uplifting at the same time.

Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark
How does life go back to normal after a tragic event? That’s what Kitty explores in this book. After her mother dies and she suddenly finds herself moved to a new country, Kitty grapples with how to honor the memories of her late mother while also moving forward with her life.