Families who loved Summer Song by Susan Rowan Masters 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 facing the terminal illness of a beloved elder or struggling with feelings of resentment toward an absent parent. Etta May has been raised by her grandfather, but as his health fails, the mother who left her years ago suddenly returns. It is a poignant exploration of what it means to say goodbye while simultaneously learning how to let someone new back into your heart. Written for the upper elementary and middle school years, this story provides a safe space to discuss the heavy weights of grief and the messy, non-linear process of forgiveness. Parents will find it a helpful tool for validating a child's right to feel angry at a parent while also showing the healing power of family bonds and the natural cycles of life.