Families Change
Teen Guide to Separation & Divorce

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Books for kids and teens (list provided by the California Courts):

 

Divorce is Not the End of the World: Zoe and Evan’s Coping Guide

Ellen Sue Stern, Zoe Stern & Evan Stern (1997) Tricycle Press

For ages 9-15. Feelings of guilt and anger. Dealing with living in two homes and avoiding manipulation by parents. Talking to friends and parents and dealing with parent’s new relationships, step-parents, and step-siblings.

 

For Better, For Worse: A Guide to Surviving Divorce for Preteens and Their Families

Janet Bode and Stan Mack (2001) Simon & Schuster

 

How It Feels When Parents Divorce

Jill Krementz (2006) Alfred A Knopf

In this immensely moving book, nineteen boys and girls, from seven to sixteen years old and from highly diverse backgrounds, share with us their deepest feelings about their parents’ divorce.

 

How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce

Nancy O’Keefe Bolick (1995) Franklin Watts

For ages 12-16. Interviews with teens whose parents have divorced or separated. Comments and advice based on the interviews.

 

It’s Not the End of the World

Blume, Judy (1986) Yearling Books

The story of how a girl and her siblings react to their parents’ separation.

 

Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids: Feeling at Home in One Home or Two

Isolina Ricci (2006) Fireside

An inside view of separation, divorce, and forming a stepfamily. It is primarily for children 10 and older to read alone or with their parents.

 

Pre-teen Pressures: Divorce

Goldentyer, D. Steck (1998) Vaughn Company

 

Snowman: A kid’s guide to coming to terms with separation and divorce

Risa J. Garon (2000) Children of Separation and Divorce Center Inc.

This book is a companion to “A Kids’ Guide to Coming to Terms with Separation and Divorce, Part II”, which is directed to a more advanced reader. Younger readers may want to read the companion book with a more experienced reader.

 

Surviving Divorce: A Student’s Companion to Children in the Middle II

Donald A. Gordon and Jack Arbuthnot (2005) Center for Divorce Education

This booklet is a resource in dealing with topics such as you and your family, some myths and truths about divorce, how divorce makes you feel, asking for help, getting on with your life and many other excellent discussions.

 

Surviving High School

Mike Riera (1997) Celestial Arts Publishing.

Mike Riera, who has worked with students for over nineteen years, speaks directly to students about the situations and changes they will face both during and immediately after high school. Interspersed with the author’s down-to-earth, practical guidance are the words of teens who offer their own points of view and experiences.

 

Teens and Divorce

Gail B. Stewart (2000) Greenhaven Press

 

Teens with Single Parents: Why Me?

Margaret A. Shultz (1997) Enslow

 

The Divorce Helpbook for Teens

Cynthia MacGregor (2004) Impact Publishers

Deals with questions: Why do parents get divorced? How will the divorce change our lives? What can I do to feel less depressed? Who can I talk to about my problems? What’s going to happen next? How do you tell absent parents that they do not visit enough? How do you say “no” to parents who want  you to carry messages to, or spy on, the other parent? What is there to talk about when you visit a parent who’s moved away?

 

The Divorce Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Move Beyond the Break Up

(Instant Help Books, 2008)

 

When Your Parents Split Up...How to Keep Yourself Together

Alys Swan Shultz (1997) Enslow 

NOTE: We borrowed this listing from the California Courts. We do not endorse them and we are not responsible for their content.

Q & A

Q:
I really feel like I need some help. Who should I ask?
A:

There are lots of people around you who can help. Tell your parents, teacher, school counsellor, family doctor or another adult you trust.

If you aren't getting the help you think you need, keep asking until you get it.