Books Like The Empty Place
Families who loved The Empty Place by Olivia A. Cole often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved The Empty Place by Olivia A. Cole 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 a profound sense of emptiness or stuckness following a major loss, such as the death of a sibling or close relative. It is designed for children who are struggling to articulate the heavy, foggy feeling of grief and need a safe, metaphorical space to explore those complex emotions. The story follows a young girl who discovers a parallel world where all lost things go, providing a powerful visual language for the process of letting go and finding a way forward. While the book centers on heavy themes of sorrow and absence, it is deeply rooted in the resilience of the human spirit. It is most appropriate for readers aged 8 to 12 who are ready for a more nuanced, middle-grade exploration of mental health and mourning. Parents will appreciate how the book validates a child's pain without rushing the healing process, offering a sense of hope that feels earned rather than forced. It serves as a compassionate bridge between the feeling of being lost and the gradual return to a life filled with color and connection.
