Grover

Reach for this book when your child is processing a sudden loss and is struggling with the messy, unrefined anger that often accompanies grief. While many books on death focus on quiet sadness, Grover captures the visceral frustration of a ten year old boy who feels abandoned and misunderstood by the adults around him. It is a raw and honest look at the transition from childhood innocence to the hard realities of life. The story follows Grover as he navigates the aftermath of his mother's suicide, a heavy topic handled with the Cleavers' signature unsentimental realism. It explores the breakdown of communication within a family and the protagonist's fierce independence as a survival mechanism. This is a profound choice for mature 9 to 12 year olds who need to see that their 'ugly' feelings of resentment or confusion are a normal part of the healing process.