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“If Evan‘s Garden couldn't be a happy place, then he was going to make it the saddest place around. “

I would read this book in my classroom to show my students that grief is normal, but it can get better. Or if there was a loss of a loved one or a pet of one of my students, I would read this to the other students to help them understand.

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies. 2018. This book is an intense book about how it feels to lose a loved one. The realistic artwork and placement of words shows how important this dog was to Evan. When the dog passes the colors changed from bright to dull and the words from white to black. The lines of truck show movement and excitement as Evan tries to feel better.

“City dog and country frog sat together on a rock. They remember their spring…They remember their summer.”

This book could be an excellent book for a lesson to talk about friendship and the process of making new friends.

This is about 12 year old Willow Chance: genius, adoptee, orphan. A weird and wonderful kid dealing with grief.

"I touch the names, and I feel their lives."

You can use this book in the classroom to discuss the Vietnam War and its impact on families. Students can create their own memorials or write letters to veterans.

This poignant story follows a boy and his father as they visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Through simple yet powerful illustrations, Bunting conveys themes of loss, memory, and healing. The narrative emphasizes the importance of remembering those who served. It‘s a touching exploration of grief and honor.

The story follows Carol who is struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event that has left her grappling with grief and the profound emptiness it brings. When Carol‘s ex-husband shows up at her office with yet another trauma to add to her plate, they escape on a journey of the past and healing of old traumas. The level of love and forgiveness throughout these pages is heart wrenching. The storyline is unique and the character growth is strong