Book Review: Planet Grief

There have been moments of great loss in my family; my brother committed suicide at 19, and we lost our first daughter when she was born premature and only lived six days in the NICU. Those deaths shook me -- for months, even years, they were only a thought away at every moment, and my emotions were close to the surface. I was fragile, but I was fortunate enough to have people around me that supported me through those losses and gave me space and time to process them.

Planet Grief by Monique Polak is a thoughtful treatment on grief. This children's chapter book is structured with alternating chapters from the perspective of the two main characters, one female, one male, with both teenagers processing losses in their family. They are brought to a weekend grief retreat and respond hesitantly at first.

Christopher lost his dad two years ago, Abby lost her mother two months previous. As they learn the stories of their peers and submit to the exercises of the grief facilitator, they begin to heal.

The lessons I learned through grieving come through time and again in Planet Grief. Lamenting over the hurtful things people say, learning who sticks by you and who keeps you at arm's length, understanding that grief looks different for everyone, processing thoughts of shame or guilt when the death was unexpected, and on and on. It is clear the author drew on the experiences and research of grief.

I appreciated the true, accurate portrayals contained in this book. At times the execution kept me from fully engaging (characters seem more like types than individuals), but I could see myself purchasing this title for a younger loved one beginning their own journey after a loss close to them.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)