Families who loved Holes in the Sky by Patricia Polacco often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the profound sadness of losing a grandparent or the disorientation that follows a major move to an unfamiliar city. This semi-autobiographical story follows a young girl whose world is turned upside down by the death of her beloved grandmother and a subsequent move to Oakland. Through the lens of her grief, we see how the warmth of a new, vibrant community and the healing power of nature can slowly mend a broken heart. Polacco's signature illustrations capture the heavy weight of sorrow alongside the gradual return of color and light. It is a deeply comforting choice for children aged 6 to 10 who need to see their feelings of loneliness and loss mirrored and validated, while also being gently reminded that life eventually blooms again in unexpected places.