By Beck Ferrari , David Trickey & Olivia Clark-Tate (author)
"Sensible and sensitive, this is an invaluable handbook for bereaved teenagers and those wishing to support them"
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Truthfully, this is a book nobody wants to have to read, borrow or buy, but in the hardest of times it will be a valuable guide for young people who have experienced the death of a loved one.
It is co-authored by Olivia, who is described as an expert by experience, and full of examples from fictional young people, who are the culmination of experiences from real young people who have been supported by UK Trauma Council. These voices give the book a sense of authenticity, talking directly to the young reader on their level.
As we would expect from a handbook, there are plenty of activities and tasks that will help examine, consider and process individuals' grief. A number of these pages have downloadable links, which will enable the reader to complete and return to the activities, as and when they want to.
The book starts by talking frankly about different types and levels of grief. All types of grief are shown to be valid, with none treated as more important than others. We are then introduced to several academic studies and theories about grief - including dual process theory, tasks of mourning, growing around your grief, and the upward spiral of grief.
These are all explained at a perfect level to be interesting, without bogging the reader down in unnecessary theory. What I particularly appreciated is that the theories and studies are not placed in competition against each other, instead each is briefly and simply introduced. This approach offers the reader numerous perspectives and tools that may be helpful or resonate with them.
Importantly, the authors never promise to eradicate the heavy emotions of grief, but they do provide methods to learn to deal with and manage them. Likewise, they are realistic in their approach to human relationships, including a chapter on grieving for someone you had a difficult or distant relationship with, and how that grief is still very real. Similarly, traumatic deaths and deaths by suicide are both considered with sensitivity and honesty.
Whilst no book could ever provide an precise roadmap to tell you exactly how to handle the death of a loved one or specifically what to do and when, this book is an incredibly useful tool to help navigate and negotiate the journey. This includes practical tips on how to deal with family differences in grieving, and the possible changes that death might bring.
It also considers the subject of anniversaries, and how there is no expiration date on grief. The final chapter provides signposting to specialist help and support, for those who feel they might need it.
This is a book I wish I'd had as a teen, and one I will definitely be giving to others in the future.
My Grief Handbook is available to buy through Jessica Kingsley at £12.99
Grief can be complicated and painful. Our memories, relationships, good times and worries are unique, and these all affect how we experience a loss. No two people will experience grief in the same way because all of our relationships are specific to us.
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But there are frameworks for understanding our reactions when someone dies. Lots of people have found it helpful to understand these frameworks, as knowing what's going on with grief can help us find ways to cope with the loss, let go of some of the pain, and find ways to still have a good future. Based on years of research, this book includes some first-hand experiences from people who have been through grief, to show how the ideas could work in real life.
However, this is not another person's story. It is a guide to understanding your own. By getting to know how we are processing grief, we can start getting on with it - working alongside it and moving forward.
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Grief can be complicated and painful. Our memories, relationships, good times and worries are unique, and these all affect how we experience a loss.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed My Grief Handbook : Why Grief Hurts and How to Cope and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-18 years old
My Grief Handbook : Why Grief Hurts and How to Cope features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for Young Adults, Parenting Books, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, Reference Works, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. £13.49, down from the £14.99 cover price. Not Available.
My Grief Handbook : Why Grief Hurts and How to Cope was written by Beck Ferrari , David Trickey & Olivia Clark-Tate and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers
My Grief Handbook : Why Grief Hurts and How to Cope has 175 pages
£13.49, reduced from £14.99. Not Available.
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