5 books about coping with sadness

The characters in these stories are all facing heartache and loss in their own ways.

The Mystery of the Colour Thief by Ewa Jozefkowicz (Head of Zeus)

Izzy’s mum is in a coma, her family is in pieces and her best friend at school doesn’t want to be friends any more. Now, her nightmares are haunted by a shadowy man who steals all the colour from the world. Can new neighbour Toby, and a nest of cygnets (baby swans), help Izzy solve the mystery of the colour thief?

Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot by Horatio Clare. Illustrated by Jane Matthews

(Firefly Press)

Aubrey’s life is turned upside down when his father falls under the spell of the Terrible Yoot. Now his once-cheerful dad has been plunged into misery. Can Aubrey find a way to break the terrible spell and free his father? This prize-winning book is clever, exciting and will leave you with lots to think about.

When Marnie Was There by Joan G. Robinson (HarperCollins Children’s Books)

In this haunting story, Anna is sent away from her foster home for the summer to a village by the sea. Lonely and unhappy, she spends her days alone on the sand dunes – until she meets a girl named Marnie. Soon Anna realises that the mysterious girl isn’t quite what she seems…

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin (Macmillan Children’s Books)

Suzyis12whenherbestfriend Franny drowns in the sea. Suzy can’t accept what’s happened and she soon becomes convinced that Franny didn’t simply drown – she must have been stung by a poisonous jellyfish. A beautifully written, funny and moving story about friendship and loss.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, from an original idea by Siobhan Dowd. Illustrated by Jim Kay

(Walker Books)

Conor’s mother has cancer, and ever since she started her treatment, he’s been having nightmares about monsters. Now a new beast has appeared in his back garden, something ancient and wild – and it wants something from Conor.