Middle Grade and Grief
I think that a lot of times when people think of Middle Grade novels, they think of light-hearted, happy ending sort of books that children would naturally be drawn to. However, I'm gonna tell you write now--some of the most heart-felt, touching, sad books that deal with hard topics like grief and loss are all Middle Grade books.
Kids in the middle grade age-range need these books. They are not immune from losing friends, loved ones, from being aware of things that are happening around them that cause them great pain. They deal with things like divorce and abuse. I think that reading fiction like this can be especially helpful to them in learning to cope with these difficult things in their own lives and it builds empathy in those that haven't had to deal with them.
Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu is the story of twins Elodie and Naomi. Things haven't been the same for them in their town of Juniper for a while. So when their mom gets offered a job in the amazing place of Eventown, they are all excited for a fresh start. However, the Eventown that they remember from their family vacation is completely different from the one that they find when they move there. Everything is just a little too perfect--a little too good to be true. Elodie finds that she stands out from everyone else while all Naomi wants to do is fit in. Being like everyone else may mean letting go of some of their most painful memories, something Elodie isn't ready to do. Facing loss and dealing with change is what the twins must learn to do.
Despite the book being about a set of twins, Elodie is really the main character. She is the bolder, more unique of the two. Naomi is more timid and wants to do things the way everyone else does them. But as sisters, they are meant to stick together. I think that kids would be able to relate to either of the two and feel like they have a place in the story. There are also several side characters that act as friends, helping them through their situation. Family is especially important as well in this story as they face their grief and memories together.
Children and adults alike face grief and change that makes them uncomfortable so I think that anyone can learn from the story that this book has to tell. I was expecting a light-easy read about two sisters coping with a move to a new town but was pleasantly surprised to find a book with deep emotions and important lessons running through it about memory and grief and loss. Anyone who knows what it's like to lose someone can relate to this book.
You can purchase a copy here.
Kids in the middle grade age-range need these books. They are not immune from losing friends, loved ones, from being aware of things that are happening around them that cause them great pain. They deal with things like divorce and abuse. I think that reading fiction like this can be especially helpful to them in learning to cope with these difficult things in their own lives and it builds empathy in those that haven't had to deal with them.
Despite the book being about a set of twins, Elodie is really the main character. She is the bolder, more unique of the two. Naomi is more timid and wants to do things the way everyone else does them. But as sisters, they are meant to stick together. I think that kids would be able to relate to either of the two and feel like they have a place in the story. There are also several side characters that act as friends, helping them through their situation. Family is especially important as well in this story as they face their grief and memories together.
Children and adults alike face grief and change that makes them uncomfortable so I think that anyone can learn from the story that this book has to tell. I was expecting a light-easy read about two sisters coping with a move to a new town but was pleasantly surprised to find a book with deep emotions and important lessons running through it about memory and grief and loss. Anyone who knows what it's like to lose someone can relate to this book.
You can purchase a copy here.
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