Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love

by Earl A. Grollman

If you are a teenager whose friend or relative has died, this book was written for you. Earl A. Grollman, the award-winning author of Living When a Loved One Has Died , explains what to expect when you lose someone you love.

Genres: Grief, Social Work, Self Help

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

About the author

Dr. Earl A. Grollman, a pioneer in the field of crisis intervention, was rabbi of the Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, Massachusetts for thirty-six years. A past president of Massachusetts Board of Rabbis, he took early retirement from his congregation so that he could devote himself to writing and lecturing. A certified Death Educator and Counselor, he was cited as “Hero of The Heartland” for his work with the families and volunteers of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

Dr. Grollman has spoken at many colleges, clergy institutes, seminaries, physician’s forums, and hospital nursing associations; and addressed many support groups such as Compassionate Friends, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Widows Personal Services. He has also appeared on national television and radio—the Oprah Winfrey Show, Children’s Journal, All Things Considered, and Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Recently, he was featured on National Public Radio’s End of Life Series, in the roundtable discussion on grief and bereavement.

Reviews

[Jennifer Vu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very simplistic and gets straight down to business. Easy to follow along and relate to. Teenagers are often forget about so this book really speaks to me. Thank you very much Mrs. Bramlett.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is divided into six parts and can be read in one sitting. Readers can flip to the parts that apply, while easily passing over the irrelevant content.
1. The First Days After a Death
2. Who Died and How
3. Facing Your Immediate Future
4. Learning to Cope
5. Rebuilding Your Life
6. In Loving Memory

The author stresses the following, among other things: that experiencing grief is necessary to healing, everyone's grief looks different, and grief holds no time limit. This could be a good introduction book for teens who might be reluctant to dive into a more intense book in early grief.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me 35 minutes to read the whole book. That might be just all you can handle during grief. But it didn't feel at all substantial.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read... Hope my 14 year old son takes some comfort from reading this.

[Maria Lawrence]

For class. Such light topics but it counts 🫡

[Renee Yesso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simplistic which is a good thing if using as a quick resource for teens. Not a detailed book for therapists, but good for the teens themselves.