Families who loved Bad Stuff in the News: A Guide to Handling the Headlines by Rabbi Marc Gellman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is experiencing anxiety after seeing a scary news report or hearing about a local tragedy. This guide provides a gentle, ethical framework for middle-grade children to process heavy topics like terrorism, natural disasters, and crime without feeling helpless. Written by a rabbi and a priest, the book uses a non-denominational spiritual lens to emphasize that while bad things happen, there are always ways to help and find safety. It is an essential resource for turning headline-induced fear into meaningful family conversations about justice, community, and personal resilience. The authors focus on empowering kids to understand the 'why' behind news reporting while giving them practical tools to manage their emotional responses.
