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You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk About Life After the Loss of a Parent

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Words of reassurance and strategies for coping with the loss of a parent, by the director of the nation's largest bereavement camp for children.

Loss is one of the most isolating experiences there is, and kids who have lost a parent feel especially different than those around them. Comfort Zone Camp was founded as a safe place for grieving children, and now this very special healing experience can reach an even larger audience of children and the people who care for them. Through frank and accessible testimonials, Lynne Hughes and the kids of CZC share the most difficult parts of their losses and offer their own experiences of what helps, what doesn't, what "stinks," and ways to stay connected to their loved ones. The CZC team (con'd)

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

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5 stars
27 (51%)
4 stars
15 (28%)
3 stars
8 (15%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
22 reviews
January 4, 2024
A must read for anyone who’s lost a parent in their childhood years. I’m 22 and although it’s tailored for “teens” I still enjoyed it. This was a quick read and so relatable. I loved this book and many of the kids took the words right out of my mouth. I‘ve never been able to find a book from the kids perspective on grief and it truly helped me so much. As the title said, you are not alone and this book reminded me of that. I have so many great quotes I saved in my notes that I will definitely refer back to as needed. I loved this book and would love to volunteer at a Comfort Zone Camp in the future!
2 reviews
May 29, 2019
You Are Not Alone is a book written for young adults, but would be enjoyable for adults to read, too. The story focuses on how young adults deal with parental loss and offers different strategies for people to cope and become stronger after experiencing a significant loss in their lives. The author Lynne B. Hughes parents, unfortunately, passed away when she was young. This led to her opening up a the CZC (Comfort Zone Camp) with her husband in Virginia a place for young adults to have a safe and fun place for grieving children. I am giving this book a rating of three out of five stars. The only reason I didn’t give it four stars was because while the book has a very powerful message, the way the author presents this message is redundant. Even so, I highly recommend reading this book because there are valuable lessons to be learned in every chapter.
This non-fiction book is set up chronologically in the same order the stages of grief. The topics of the chapters flow from first from talking about grief, next to changes at home, then to what helps, and finally going forward and moving on. Since the chapters are grouped in this fashion, it allows the reader to read them out of order making it easy to locate specific information on grief and loss.
In her writing, I like how at the end of each chapter she gives the reader a little boost of confidence “You can do it. I’m proof it can be done!” or “Remember that it takes a lot of courage and cooperation to get through this together.” No matter how sad the chapter may be, she does a good job of giving a small tidbit of reassurance that you can do it and no ones stopping you from getting over your loss.
There are many deep messages the author is trying to convey, however, the theme of making this book “an essential resource for coping and beginning the lifelong process of healing.” really stays out to me. As someone who has never experienced a parental loss at a young age. I may truly never understand how a friend, relative, or even a stranger feels with there grief of the death of a parent but with this book, it almost prepares me and gives me some ideas to cope if I ever find myself in this situation. While on the flip side if the reader has dealt with loss the author does a really good job of being honest, without the feeling of like there only one right way to cope.
I would 100% recommend this book the messages are super powerful and even if this book does apply to you it can help you help someone else dealing with grief. Lynne B. Hughes does a phenomenal job of explaining her story of losing both parents and letting young kids get their message heard of the grief experience. Her way of expanding off of her campers passages gives the reader her perspective whether its good or bad.
8 reviews
November 2, 2018
This book was good but it wasn't the best. The whole book is about kids loosing their parents or talking about how they feel when they lost their parent.
Profile Image for Julie.
65 reviews
October 22, 2010
There are some very touching, helpful stories here, but it's REALLY redundant. Not one to read cover-to-cover, but not one to pass up completely. It is targeted toward teens, but I think it has something to offer anyone who has suffered the loss of a parent, regardless of age.
Profile Image for Lyndee.
150 reviews
September 27, 2015
One of those wonderful books that makes you think "I wish I read this sooner". Completely relatable and beautifully and clearly written this book is a must read for anyone who has experienced grief and loss first hand. A beautiful book that i wish i had read before now.
Profile Image for Sakinah Azmi.
57 reviews
December 7, 2012
Filled with touching stories. I cried at every pages, literally. And very helpful too. Nice.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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