Fiction Resources on: Separation and/or Divorce
Dear Mr. Henshaw. Cleary, Beverly. Avon/Camelot, c1983. ISBN
0-380-70958-9 pbk
Leigh starts writing the author Mr. Henshaw and ends up telling all about his
life after a divorce. 10+
The Divorce Express. Danziger, Paula. Laurel-Leaf, c1982. ISBN
0-440-92062-0 pbk
Katie lives with her father in Woodstock and takes a bus called The Divorce
Express into New York to visit her mother. Lots of other visiting kids take the
same bus. She has to adjust to a new school, new town, new friends and a busy
schedule. She meets Rosie who travels in the same bus to see her dad. The
announcement that mother is going to marry someone she dislikes really upsets
Katie. Her life in Woodstock is changing too. 12+
Ginger Brown: Too Many Houses. Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Random House,
c1996. ISBN 0-679-85437-1
Ginger's mom and dad get divorced. She has to leave her old house, her kitten
and move into her grandparents' house. Mom starts looking for a new house. 8-9
Ice. Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Aladdin Paperbacks, c1995. ISBN
0-689-81872-6 pbk
Chrissa's father just left and three years later she is still very angry, too
angry to talk to her mother. Mother sends her to live with her paternal
grandmother. (This part does not seem realistic). It is an unsettling
experience. In her search for the truth, she finds more secrets. A relationship
with a little girl she baby-sits, opens up new truths about her own life.
Eventually the big secret in her life is revealed. The book's message that it
is best to tell the children the truth about what happens in a family. 12+
It's Not The End Of The World Blume, Judy. Laurel-Leaf, c1972.
ISBN 0-440-94140-7 pbk.
Karen's parents always fight and then dad moves out. She is sure things will
work out and she can hold it together. 11+
My Mother Got Married And Other Disasters. Park, Barbara. Bullseye
Books, c1989. ISBN 0-394-85059-9 pbk (sequel to Don't Make Me Smile).
Charlie's parents are divorced. "I live with my mother but I'm shared with my
dad. It's called joint custody, "says Charlie. Into this new life comes a
stepfamily, dad, teenage sister and little brother. Told in a very humorous
way. 11+
Always My Dad. Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Apple Soup Book, c1995. ISBN
0-679-83447-8 HC.
It is hard for a girl who longs to see her dad. The children are at their
grandparents' farm when he comes for a visit. The visit is wonderful but short
and he leaves once more.
At Daddy's On Saturday. Girard, Linda Walvoord. Albert Whitman,
c1987. ISBN 0-8075-0473-4 pbk.
Katie's dad leaves. Katie goes through a lot of emotions about what has
happened.. Dad gets a phone and then comes and picks her up for the weekend.
They are together nearly every weekend and Katie begins to adjust to what has
happened. Both parents talk to her about what has happened and that it was not
her fault. They assure her that they will both still be her mom and dad.
Dinosaurs Divorce A Guide For Changing Families. Brown, Laurene
Krasny and Brown, Marc, Little Brown, 1986. ISBN 0-316-10996-7 pbk.
Describe many situations that occur in a separation and divorce. The
illustrations are of a dinosaur family. Explains some of the terms used in
divorce.
Good-Bye Daddy. Weinger, Brigitte. North-South Books, c1995. ISBN
1-55858-770-5 pbk
Daddy brings Tom home to his mother's place and Tom is really angry. Mother
tells Tom a story about a bear family. Mother Bear and Little Bear live
together. Father Bear takes Little Bear out for the day and when they get back,
Little Bear also gets angry. His mother explains why the Bear family do not
live together anymore. This also explains why the human family do not always
live together.
I Live With Daddy. Vigna, Judith. Albert Whitman, c1997. ISBN
0-8075-3512-5 HC
Olivia's mom is a T.V reporter and she has moved out of the house. Olivia and
dad live together. On Writer's Day, mom promises to come to school to see
Olivia's book about her mom. She doesn't arrive and a friend points out that
dad is always there and maybe she should have written her book about him.
Mother dashes in late by that time Olivia has figured out how to pay tribute to
her dad.
Kids Have Feelings, Too (Series) Mom And Dad Break Up. Prestine,
Joan Singleton. Fearon Teacher Aids, c 1996. ISBN 0-86653-857-7 pbk.
Feelings he has because mom and dad are apart. He dreams they are back
together, he wonders if it is his fault, he tires to get them together but then
comes the reality of them being apart and that he does different things with
each parent. Very simply told. Discussion questions at the back. Good to use
with very young children to get them talking.
Let's Talk About Feeling Afraid. ISBN 0-590-62384-2 pbk, Berry,
Joy. Scholastic, c1996
Feeling Angry. ISBN 0-590-62386-9 pbk, Berry, Joy. Scholastic,
c1996
Feeling Sad. ISBN 0-590-62387-7 pbk, Berry, Joy. Scholastic,
c1996
Needing Attention. ISBN 0-590-62424-5 pbk, Berry, Joy.
Scholastic, c1996
Discusses the times you might feel this way and how the feeling can be handled.
Moving Gives Me A Stomach Ache. McKend, Heather. Black Moss Press,
c1988. ISBN 0-88753-178-4 pbk.
The feelings a child goes through when it is moving day. Only talks about the
mother but one picture shows a male loading the car.
Mr. Grumpy. Hargreaves, Roger. Price Stern Sloan, c1978. ISBN
0-8431-7477-3 pbk.
Mr. Grumpy is taught to be not so grumpy. Just one of the many Mr. Or Miss
books that may be used to talk about feelings.
Let's Talk About It: Divorce. Rogers, Fred. G.P. Putnam's Sons,
c1996. ISBN 0-399-22800-4 pbk.
Discusses things that happen and the feelings that occur when there is a
separation and divorce. Would be a good book to use to get children talking
about their feelings.
Let's Talk About It: Stepfamilies. Rogers, Fred. G.P. Putnam's
Sons, c1997. ISBN 0-399-23145-5
At first, talks about changes that might take place because of remarriage.
There is a lot of discussion of the feelings that might arise in a stepchild.
Good to generate discussions about a stepfamily situation.
Megan's Two Houses. Jong, Erica. Dove Kids Book, c1996. ISBN
0-7871-0405-1 HC
Megan tells the story of what it is like to live in two houses and have Mom and
Dad with someone else. She is angry and has plans to get them back together.
She says mean things but Mom and Dad assure her that it is not her fault and
when all the adults get together, she realizes that Mom and Dad are going to
continue living in two places.
Mom And Dad Don't Live Together Anymore. Stinson, Kathy. Annick
Press, c1984. ISBN 0-920236-87-1 pbk
A little girl's story of what it is like since her parents have separated.
My Family's Changing: A First Look At Family Break Up. Thomas,
Pat. Barron's, c1998. ISBN 0-7641-0995-2 pbk
This would be a good book to read to young children. It talks about the events
that happen after a separation and the feelings each member of the family might
have. At the back, the author outlines how to use the book.
My Mother's Getting Married. Drescher, Joan. Dial Books For Young
Readers, c1986. ISBN 0-14-054667-7 pbk
Katy's mother is getting married and she is not happy about the wedding. The
book talks about the preparations, the wedding and how Katy's mom reassures her
about her love and that they will continue to do things together.
Where Is Daddy? Goff, Beth. Beacon Press, c1969. ISBN
0-8070-2305-1 pbk
Janey's life changes when Daddy leaves. It becomes more difficult and hard to
understand when she and Mom move to Grandma's and Mom gets a job. The adults
don't always have time for her and are involved in their own feelings. When her
anger grows, she becomes withdrawn and hurts the dog. The adults realize how
much she is hurting. Adult note at the back.
Why Are We Getting A Divorce? Mayle, Peter. Harmony Books, c1988.
ISBN 0-517-56527-7 pbk
Written as if the author was talking to the children. Explains that lots of
people get divorced. Addresses the issues that come up like anger, blame, new
friends in a parent's life etc. Somewhat sexist in explaining why child is more
likely to be with the mother. Use carefully. One chapter at a time for
discussion.
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