A thought-provoking book about a boy coming to terms with his brother’s tragic accident.
Barr-Harris
Community Education Center
Nurturing Minds,
Healing Hearts
At the Barr-Harris Community Education Center, we are committed to fostering a well-informed and supportive community through a variety of educational initiatives. Our goal is to provide valuable resources and knowledge to individuals, families, and professionals dealing with grief and loss.
Children's Books on Grief and Loss
- Middle Age Group
Trouble
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Brother's Death
- Middle Age Group
Summer of the Gypsy Moths
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Guardian's Death
A unique story of two girls who secretly manage to live alone after their caregiver’s death.
- Middle Age Group
Addy’s Cup of Sugar
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Pet Loss
A compassionate tale illustrating the Buddhist story of Kisa Gotami to help a child cope with the loss of a pet.
- Middle Age Group
The Green Glass Sea
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Parental Absence
Set during WWII, this novel explores the life of a girl whose father works on a secret war project.
- Middle Age Group
Kira-Kira
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Sibling's Illness
A touching story of two Japanese-American sisters and their enduring bond amidst hardship and illness.
- Middle Age Group
The Heart and the Bottle
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Parental Loss
A poignant and visually stunning book about a girl who bottles up her heart after losing a loved one.
- Middle Age Group
Lost in the Sun
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Peer Death
A powerful narrative exploring guilt and healing as a boy deals with the death of a peer.
- Middle Age Group
A Million Miles from Boston
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
General Loss
A heartfelt tale about a girl coping with changes in her life and coming to terms with the past.
- Middle Age Group
The Thing About Jellyfish
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Friend's Death
An emotionally compelling story about a young girl’s journey through grief after losing her best friend.
- Middle Age Group
Maybe a Fox
Appelt, Kathi, and McGhee, Alison
Sibling Loss
A beautifully woven story about two sisters, one of whom mysteriously disappears, blending reality and folklore.
Academic Books for Grieving Families
- Middle Age Group
Strengthening Family Resilience
Froma Walsh
A comprehensive guide on building family resilience in the face of loss and trauma.
- Middle Age Group
The Lessons of History
Will and Ariel Durant
A historical analysis that touches on the themes of human experience, including life, death, and legacy.
- Middle Age Group
Mourning and Melancholia
Sigmund Freud
An important psychoanalytic paper that explores the psychological processes of mourning and melancholia.
- Middle Age Group
Death and Dying, Life and Living
Charles A. Corr, Clyde Nabe, and Donna M. Corr
An academic textbook providing a broad overview of the issues related to death, dying, and bereavement.
- Middle Age Group
On Death and Dying
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
The seminal work that introduced the five stages of grief and offers insights into the emotional journey of dying patients and their families.
- Middle Age Group
Grief: The Mourning After – Dealing with Adult Bereavement
Phyllis Silverman
A collection of essays from various experts on different aspects of adult grief.
- Middle Age Group
Loss, Trauma, and Resilience: Therapeutic Work With Ambiguous Loss
Pauline Boss
A scholarly exploration of ambiguous loss and its impact, with practical therapeutic strategies.
- Middle Age Group
The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss
George A. Bonanno
An academic perspective on the bereavement process based on extensive research.
- Middle Age Group
Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner
J. William Worden
A comprehensive guide on the theories and techniques of grief counseling.
- Middle Age Group
Childhood Bereavement and Its Aftermath
Sol Altschul
An academic exploration of the long-term effects of childhood bereavement and how to address them.
Non-Fiction Books for Grieving Families
- Middle Age Group
Words in Pain: Letters on Life and Death
Olga Jacoby
A poignant collection of letters where Olga Jacoby, facing her own terminal illness, reflects on her thoughts and feelings about life and impending death.
- Middle Age Group
Letters to a Dying Friend
Olga Jacoby
A collection of letters written by Olga Jacoby to a friend, discussing profound reflections on life, death, and the human experience.
- Middle Age Group
Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief
Claire Bidwell Smith
A book that addresses how anxiety often accompanies grief and provides strategies for coping with it.
- Middle Age Group
After This: When Life Is Over, Where Do We Go?
Claire Bidwell Smith
An exploration of the afterlife and how different beliefs about what happens after we die affect our grief.
- Middle Age Group
The Rules of Inheritance
Claire Bidwell Smith
A memoir that recounts Claire’s journey through grief after losing both of her parents to cancer.
- Middle Age Group
The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
Frank Ostaseski
Lessons on how to live a fuller life from a hospice care pioneer.
- Middle Age Group
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief
Francis Weller
A book that explores the communal and ritual aspects of grief and offers ways to work through it.
- Middle Age Group
It’s OK That You’re Not OK
Megan Devine
A guide that offers support and validation for those grieving in a society that often misunderstands the process.
- Middle Age Group
Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy
Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Sandberg’s personal account of coping with her husband’s sudden death and building resilience.
- Middle Age Group
When Breath Becomes Air
Paul Kalanithi
A memoir by a neurosurgeon who faces terminal cancer and explores themes of life, death, and what it means to live with loss.
Please send an inquiry here: intake@barrharriscenter.org for a comprehensive list of books.
resources
Transforming Grief Into Growth
If you would like to refer someone to our clinic, please email us at intake@barrharriscenter.org.
The holiday season is usually a time when the symptoms related to loss are accentuated in children.
How the school can help the grieving child.The clinical implications of parent loss…
presentations
Chicagoland community
educational
How the school can help the grieving child.The clinical implications of parent loss...
educational
The holiday season is usually a time when the symptoms related to loss are accentuated in children.
educational
Felis bibendum egestas lorem ipsum uspendisse nulla malesuada gravida arcu non sodales.
educational
How the school can help the grieving child.The clinical implications of parent loss...
educational
The holiday season is usually a time when the symptoms related to loss are accentuated in children.
educational
Felis bibendum egestas lorem ipsum uspendisse nulla malesuada gravida arcu non sodales.
frequently asked questions
Find Answers to Common Concerns
What is The Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief and Loss Center?
The Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief and Loss Center is a mental health clinic specializing in the treatment of children and families dealing with grief and loss.
What types of grief and loss do you help with?
We help with various types of grief and loss, including the death of a loved one, complicated grief and prolonged grief disorder, non-death losses (such as divorce, job loss, and health loss), life stage losses (such as miscarriage and infertility), and grief specific to immigrants, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, military personnel, and veterans.
How is the fee structure determined at The Barr-Harris Center?
Our fee structure is based on the financial circumstances of the family, using a sliding scale to ensure affordability. No child or family is denied services due to financial constraints. We are in network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, Aetna and Cigna.
Who can receive services at The Barr-Harris Center?
We provide services to children, adolescents, and their families who are experiencing grief and loss.
What are the signs that my child might need help coping with grief?
Signs include prolonged sadness, loss of appetite, declining grades, anxiety, anger, unusual behavior changes, and isolation from friends. If these behaviors persist or worsen, professional support may be needed.
How can parents support their grieving children?
Parents can support their children by maintaining open communication about the loss, including them in funeral arrangements, providing honest answers, ensuring stability, keeping memories alive, and seeking support from family and friends.
Are there any resources for parents to help their children cope with grief?
Yes. Please see our resources tab on this website.
What long-term impacts can unresolved grief have on children?
Unresolved grief can lead to halted emotional development, difficulty forming attachments, over-preoccupation with health and safety, a negative outlook on life, chronic depression, and academic and professional struggles.
What is The Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief and Loss Center?
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call us at (312) 922-7474 or visit our website at barrharriscenter.org.
Where is The Barr-Harris Children & Family Grief and Loss Center located?
The Center is located in the loop and in Evanston.
What makes The Barr-Harris Center unique?
Our Center offers a specialized focus on grief and loss, with services tailored to the specific needs of different populations, including children, adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, military personnel, and immigrants. Our fee structure ensures that financial constraints do not prevent access to necessary services.
How do I know if the grief my child is experiencing is normal?
Grief is a normal response to loss, but if your child’s grief reactions are intense, prolonged, or significantly interfere with their daily life, it may be beneficial to seek professional support.
Can adults also receive services at The Barr-Harris Center?
Yes, we provide services for parents and other family members who are affected by the loss, helping them to support their grieving children and cope with their own grief.
What types of therapy and support do you offer?
We offer individual therapy sessions, group therapy, community education, and specialized programs tailored to each child’s and family’s needs.
For more details or to seek help, please contact us at (312) 922-7474
