Adam Gets Back in the Game

A great book for opening conversations about death, loss, and grief. For ten-year-old Adam, happiness is being involved in a little of everything, including his favorite thing of all, playing basketball with his best friend Isaiah. But when he falls on a broken bottle, everything must stop for his "big hurt." Later, all that Adam learned in healing from his injured hand will be put to the test when Isaiah dies suddenly in an accident. Along with Adam, children experiencing the loss of a friend or family member can consider the costs of avoiding their pain and come to understand how grieving can help them more fully return to living.

About the Author :
Greg Adams is Program Coordinator for the Center for Good Mourning and Staff Bereavement Support at Arkansas Children's Hospital where he has worked with grieving children and families since 1991. He previously developed "Lessons from Lions: Using children's media to teach about grief and mourning" and writes a grief/loss e-newsletter, "The Mourning News"-both available for anyone at goodmourningcenter.org. Adam Gets Back in the Game is his first children's book. Paige Mason is an advocate for creativity, imagination, and art education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in fine arts with an emphasis in illustration. Paige currently works at a private elementary school ranging from preschool to 4th grade in San Jose, California. After leaving campus, you can find her in the living room, Corner Studio, where she creates art of her own. Storytelling, adolescence, and imagination can be found in Paige's work; children gravitate to her drawings, which also evoke a sense of nostalgia for adults both old and young. The use of thick and thin black lines create uniformity, as splashes of color lend details and rhythm to her illustrations. Her work is derived from her own childhood memories, particularly those of summer time, where nothing really mattered except going outside to swim, getting her hair done, and playing with friends.

Review :
This book belongs in every library, and will also be extremely helpful for professionals who work with young people and their families.--Ben Wolfe, MEd, LICSW, Fellow in Thanatology, University of Minnesota, Duluth School of Medicine Adam Gets Back in the Game is well-crafted and conveys a message of hope even in the midst of tragic circumstances. I love the story, the illustrations, and the characters. The story offers relatable characters that normalize many of the feelings and behaviors children have after a death. It is rich with themes that provide parents and caregivers a context for connecting with their children when someone has died. I will be recommending this book professionals and families. It is an ideal tool for anyone living with, caring for, or supporting bereaved children. --Andy McNeil, Co-author, Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children: A Practical Guide for Professionals Greg Adams has used his tremendous experience with grieving children to create this exceptionally appropriate story. I believe it will change lives beautifully. --Joy Johnson Brown, founder of Centering Corporation and Grief's Journey Center for Grieving Children. Adam Gets Back in the Game is a great story about honoring those who have died, friendship, and resilience--life lessons for all ages. This book is a great addition to any therapist's toolbox.--Dr. Jennifer Matthews, Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling at Oakland University An appealing story that teaches important lessons about how to cope with loss. --Charles A. Corr, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Senior Editor of the Pediatric e-Journal, a publication of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Adam Gets Back in the Game allows kids and families to understand ways to address big hurts rather than ignore them. This book is a great read for children who experience big hurts in life. --Dionne B. Jackson, Ed.D., Executive Director of AR Kids Read Adam Gets Back in the Game is a wonderful book that discusses the death of a friend in a way that children can understand. The book does a great job of explaining the need to reach out for help when a child is hurting, whether it be from a cut on the hand or when a friend has died. Adam Gets Back in the Game also discusses doing something in memory of someone who has died. This is a concept that bereaved children benefit from knowing. I highly recommend this book! --Dr. Pamela Gabbay, Co-author, Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children: A Practical Guide for Professionals In this beautifully crafted story about loss and grief, Adam learns a valuable life lesson that he will carry for a lifetime. --Brianne L. Overton, FT, LPC, NCC, Clinical Director of Experience Camps-GA & MI girls programming