Through captivating stories and thoughtful analysis, Maria Trozzi explains how to handle the difficult job of talking with children and adolescents about loss, with discussions about:

* How children perceive and interpret events such as death, disability, and divorce

* Guiding children through the four tasks of mourning

* Helping children face funerals, wakes, and memorial services

* Children's fears and fantasies: how they express them, and how to address them

* Age-appropriate responses to children's questions and concerns

* Talking to children about long-term illness, suicide, family or community tragedy, and other special situations

* What to do when children won't talk about loss, and when to seek professional help

"The wisdom, authenticity, and sheer presence of the author are evident from page one until the end of the beautifully written book. Terms like 'ground-breaking' and 'innovative' have been triviliazed by overuse. In this case they are deserved." --Stan Turecki, M.D., author of The Difficult Child