The Barn

Reach for this book when your child is facing the terminal illness or loss of a parent and needs a way to channel their feelings into meaningful action. It is a quiet, profound story set in the 1840s that follows nine-year-old Ben as he returns from school to care for his father, who has suffered a debilitating stroke. To honor their father's unfulfilled dream, Ben and his older siblings decide to build a massive barn by hand. This story is an excellent choice for children ages 8 to 12 because it acknowledges the weight of grief without being sentimental. It models how teamwork, hard work, and a shared goal can provide a scaffold for a family when their world feels like it is collapsing. It provides a realistic yet comforting look at the physical and emotional realities of long-term illness and the resilience found in sibling bonds.