Grade 4 Social Issues Unit: Death & Grief

Twelve-year-old Suzy Swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friend's death.

Eleven-year-old Cliff Abernathy shares his family's trials and tribulations.

After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

Spoon Gilmore has been dreaming about his grandmother since her death two months ago, but the dreams are beginning to grow fuzzy and come less and less frequently. Afraid that soon even his memories of her will disappear, he sets out in search of the perfect thing to remember her by. When Spoon finds it, he quietly takes it to his room to cherish privately, making sure that his annoying little sister, Joanie, doesn't follow him in as usual. But soon Spoon realizes he's made a big mistake. Will things ever be right without Gram around?

Contains case studies that provide a variety of perspectives on how different children dealt with their feelings about the death of a friend or loved on, and includes checklists of what to do or where to go for help, and resources for more information.

Presents information on death in a question-and-answer format, discussing fear, funerals, the process of grief, and how to help someone who is grieving.