Recommended Reading
Books on divorce and family transitions.
A curated list of books that may be helpful for people navigating divorce, co-parenting, and family transitions — organized by age group and topic.
This website provides general legal information and is not legal advice. Every situation is different. Consult an attorney about your specific circumstances.
Books For Children
Picture books and early readers that help young children understand and process family changes.
A reassuring story about a child who has two homes — one with Mama and one with Papa — and feels loved in both. Gently introduces the concept of separation to very young children.
A guide for families that uses dinosaur characters to explain divorce to young children in a straightforward, non-threatening way. Covers topics like living in two homes, holidays, and new partners.
A beloved picture book that reassures children that love is an invisible string connecting them to the people they love — even when they are apart. Widely used by therapists and counselors.
This gentle book supports children’s emotional wellbeing during a divorce or separation, offering them reassurance, comfort, and practical tools.
Join Drew and his dragon Diggory Doo on this uplifting story to help a friend during the most difficult change in his life when his parents live apart and he is now living in two homes.
Often young children blame themselves or are unsure of their place in the family when these events occur. Child psychologist Dr. Jillian Roberts designed this book to empower parents and caregivers to talk openly with young children about family changes.
Books For Older Children & Pre-Teens
Chapter books and guides for children ages 8–12 navigating their parents’ separation.
Written by two siblings who experienced their parents’ divorce firsthand, this guide offers honest, practical advice for kids on handling the emotional challenges of divorce — from feeling caught in the middle to dealing with new family structures.
Irene is a 10-year-old girl whose parents are getting a divorce. Amid her confusion and helplessness, Irene turns to her diary to express her feelings and better process her parents’ divorce. With the help of her school counselor, Irene gradually learns to cope.
After her parents’ divorce, Bea’s life changed in many ways. But she can always look back at the list she keeps in her green notebook to remember the things that will stay the same. A thoughtful middle-grade novel about resilience, family, and belonging.
Books For Teens
Resources for teenagers processing family changes and developing emotional resilience.
Stuff That Sucks offers a compassionate and validating guide to accepting emotions rather than struggling against them. With this book as a guide, teens learn to prioritize their thoughts, feelings, and actions — and build a life that matters even when things are hard.
Books For Adults
Practical and emotional resources for parents and adults navigating divorce, co-parenting, and life transitions.
Nationally recognized expert Robert Emery applies his twenty-five years of experience as a researcher, therapist, and mediator to offer parents a new road map to divorce. Dr. Emery shows how our powerful emotions can drive us to make decisions that hurt our children — and how to change that.
A valuable parenting guide for divorced or separated couples with kids. This handbook offers tools for navigating conflicts and setting boundaries so both children and co-parents can thrive.
Ranked by Book Authority as the #1 best family law book of all time, this guide offers a laser-focused approach to divorce and separation. Covers legal strategy, financial planning, and how to protect your interests throughout the process.
To make up or break up? Whether you are just getting serious or have a long-term commitment, no other question causes so much heartache and self-doubt. This book provides a diagnostic approach to help you make the decision that is right for you.
The breakup of a family can have an enduring impact on children. But as Dr. Pedro-Carroll explains, parents can positively alter the immediate and long-term effects of divorce on their children. This book provides proven, emotionally intelligent parenting strategies that promote children’s emotional health and resilience.
There is another path to the end of a relationship — one filled with mutual respect, kindness, and deep caring. Conscious Uncoupling offers a step-by-step guide to ending a relationship in a way that honors what you once meant to each other and sets both parties up for a healthy future.
New York Times best-selling author Lysa TerKeurst unveils her heart amid shattering circumstances and shows readers how to live with assurance when life does not turn out like they expected.
Drawing on over three decades of experience in family services, mental health, and custody mediation, Al Huntoon cuts through the fog of coparenting with sharp insights and practical solutions. A field guide packed with real-world strategies for addressing logistical challenges, managing emotional triggers, and making decisions that protect your child’s well-being.
Written by a custody mediator with 2,000+ cases and personal coparenting experience, this practical guide shows how to use AI as a personal communication assistant — drafting clearer messages, organizing complex schedules, and responding thoughtfully instead of reactively. Includes copy-and-paste AI prompts, scripts for difficult conversations, and conflict de-escalation techniques.
Written for those who have been through financial hardship and want more for themselves and their families. After her divorce, Monica found herself a single parent with $257,000 in debt — and still managed to achieve financial independence in ten years. This book outlines how to achieve your definition of financial independence with grit, perseverance, and courage.
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