To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Buy used:
$6.23
FREE delivery February 10 - 13. Details
Or fastest delivery February 7 - 11. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing Paperback – April 15, 2005

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

The death of a friend is a wrenching event for anyone at any age. Teenagers especially need help coping with this painful loss. This sensitive book answers questions grieving teens often have, like “How should I be acting?” “Is it wrong to go to parties and have fun?” and “What if I can’t handle my grief on my own?” The advice is gentle, non-preachy, and compassionate; the author has seen her own children suffer from the death of a friend, and she knows what teens go through. The revised edition includes new quotes from teens, new resources, and new insights into losing a friend through violence. Also recommended for parents and teachers of teens who have experienced a painful loss. Foreword by R.E.M. singer/songwriter Michael Stipe.
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

From the brand

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–In this update of a 1994 publication, 16 short chapters deliver helpful information on subjects including: How can I stand the pain? How should I be acting? What is ‘normal'? What if I can't handle my grief on my own? and How can I find a counselor or a therapist? Interspersed throughout the book, and placed over muted black-and-white photos of young adults from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, are quotes by teenagers who have experienced grief. The new illustrations make this edition more accessible than the earlier one. Quotes from well-known writers and philosophers give insight into the grieving process and healing. These statements allow readers to understand that they're not alone. Other topics covered include guilt, anger, confusion, fear, and numbness; the information offered reassures readers that these are all valid emotions. This edition also addresses loss through violence. Scattered throughout are pages with backgrounds that look like cork bulletin boards, which have suggestions or questions pinned to them. This compassionate, user-friendly book lists pages of resources and suggested reading, and should be made available to teens.–Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Death is difficult for people of all ages, but it often hits teens especially hard because of their emotional volatility. This book gives voice to their feelings, explains why they have them and offers tips on how to work through the pain.” —Youth Today

“Makes learning how to grieve as painless and soothing as possible. . . . Gootman’s non-preachy and compassionate book gently handles this sensitive topic.” —NEA Today

“A tool with compassion and genuine understanding with advice that a grieving teen needs. . . .This book should be on the shelf of any parent, teacher, counselor, or youth worker.”—Youthworker

“A great starting place for young people who are hurting.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

 “The new illustrations make this edition more accessible than the earlier one . . . This compassionate, user-friendly book . . . should be made available to teens.” —School Library Journal



“This compassionate, user-friendly book lists pages of resources and suggested reading, and should be made available to teens.”—School Library Journal



Recommended Books for the Reluctant YA Reader--American Library Association



Books for the Teen Age--New York Public Library

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Free Spirit Publishing; Revised edition (April 15, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1575421704
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1575421704
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 6 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.26 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 80 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Marilyn E. Gootman
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Dr. Marilyn E. Gootman is the founder of Gootman Education Associates, an educational consulting company that provides workshops about successful strategies for teaching and parenting. She's known for her advocacy on behalf of children, teachers, and parents and has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Public Radio as well as local radio and television shows throughout the U.S. and Canada.

She was born in Boston, Massachusetts and holds undergraduate degrees from Simmons College and Hebrew College, an M.A. from Brandeis University and an Ed.D. from the University of Georgia. In her 35-year career, she has taught and mentored in schools ranging from the elementary to the university level.

She lives with her university-professor husband, Elliot, in Athens, Georgia, where they raised their two daughters and son. They enjoy frequent visits with their three delightful grandsons.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
80 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book helpful and informative for grieving teens. It's written in an accessible language suitable for teenagers, with straightforward descriptions and illustrations. They find it easy to read and a good resource for students of middle school age and up who have experienced loss.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
8 customers mention "Help"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful and informative for grieving teens. They say it's a good resource for students in middle school and up who have experienced loss.

"...when the accident occurred and this little book was very welcome bit of emotional flotation upon which to hold on." Read more

"This is an excellent resource for students, middle school age and up, who have experienced loss in any form...." Read more

"a good book to give to teens. explains what they may be going through/what to expect in easy to understand, realistic terms" Read more

"Helpful book for grief. Easy read." Read more

7 customers mention "Language"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and comfortable for teenagers. It has straightforward language with typical statements and discussions. The book is realistic and straightforward, providing a space for teens to grieve.

"...The book is realistic and straightforward. It is written in language accessible to and comfortable for teenagers and has illustrations that are..." Read more

"...It truly speaks in the language of teens, and provides a space for them to grieve the loss of a friend." Read more

"...It was a very easy read. I would also recommend "The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends" by Helen Fitzgerald." Read more

"...The book has typical statements and short descriptions and discussions of the statements...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read. They mention it's a great book with concise text.

"...gave the book to her daughter, she took it into her bedroom and read the entire book...." Read more

"...they have to read from start to finish - and the text is short and to the point...." Read more

"Great book..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020
    I highly recommend this book. I gave it to a colleague whose 12 year old daughter was having difficulty dealing with the shooting of a school friend. The boy was shot in a random drive by shooting, was in a coma and then died. While the school provided counseling to the boy's classmates, many of the children were still struggling with their fears and feelings of loss.
    As soon as my colleague gave the book to her daughter, she took it into her bedroom and read the entire book. It helped her to begin to process her grief right then and she re-read sections of the book over and over again during the next month. She also shared the book with friends.
    The book is realistic and straightforward. It is written in language accessible to and comfortable for teenagers and has illustrations that are helpful. While the book was written 15 years ago, it is more than timely now as unfortunately, many children witness even more violence now than they did in the past.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
    My grandson’s close friend was accidentally killed, and reading this book was very helpful in his grieving process.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021
    A recent tragedy in our community, where 2 teens were killed in a horrific car accident, prompted me to purchase this book. As an author of a book about death and grief for younger children, many people asked me what I would recommend for this older age group. A friend told me about this book, and I felt compelled to check it out to see if it would be something I could recommend. In fact, this book is perfect for tweens/teens. It's not a book they have to read from start to finish - and the text is short and to the point. Even the book itself is almost like a "pocket edition" - not overwhelming at all. It truly speaks in the language of teens, and provides a space for them to grieve the loss of a friend.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
    I read this before giving it to my daughter who lost a very close friend 4 years ago when she was 12 years old. She is still struggling with he grieving process and this book was recommended to me by someone at the Highmark Caring Place. There is little available to kids/teens who have lost a friend. This booklets them know that what they are feeling and going through is "normal". It was a very easy read. I would also recommend "The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends" by Helen Fitzgerald.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2009
    I purchased two copies of this book when my daughters' best friend passed away in an auto accident after leaving our home. I left the books out but did not try to force the books on the girls. Both copies disappeared the night I put them out and I later learned that the books were passed onto other teens close to the beautiful child lost in the tragic accident. We were all lost in very rough emotional seas when the accident occurred and this little book was very welcome bit of emotional flotation upon which to hold on.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2019
    A good read
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2013
    With short, almost "Deep Thought"ish statements, the book is directed to teens to pass along the message that whatever works for you is OK. A struggling reader or non-reader would be able to manage the text. The book has typical statements and short descriptions and discussions of the statements. The book is written from the perspective of helping teens to direct their thoughts in the process of grief and loss.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2014
    This is an excellent resource for students, middle school age and up, who have experienced loss in any form. We use it as a biblio-therapy resource in my school and end up giving out our entire stock year after year.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter questions for teens reluctant to talk about the ...
    Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2016
    Meaningful and insightful dialogue to help teens with grieving a loss. Great starter questions for teens reluctant to talk about the death of a friend or loved one.