The Empty Place: A Child’s Guide Through Grief by Roberta Temes

Illustrated by Kim Carlisle. 48 p., Small Horizons, 1992.

A third-grade boy sometimes feels empty, sad, lonely, guilty, or scared because his sister, Jennifer, died after an illness. He is supported by a babysitter, Betsy, whose brother died in an accident. Betsy encourages the boy to remember Jennifer in ways that are helpful to him, and to talk to people about his feelings. She helps him to resolve his guilty feelings. She reassures him that his acute feelings of grief are not permanent, and that his parents will joke with him again. She encourages him to write his thoughts and feelings about Jennifer in a special notebook. He will use the notebook to keep his experiences of Jennifer with him always. This story offers children acceptance, a sense that others have had similar experiences, and a specific way to cope with grief.

Ages: 7-10
Cultural Context: European American