WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT DIVORCE

Dealing with divorce isn’t easy, but this work offers some helpful guidance.

Scharff, an experienced psychotherapist, has arranged the book in roughly chronological order, discussing how young people might feel when they first learn their parents are separating and defining the term divorce before covering topics such as new living arrangements and the possibility of their parents dating again. Each brief section includes bright, cartoon-style images of children and adults. Le Large’s visual metaphors—a child literally being ping-ponged between two parents; kids walking a tightrope—help clarify Scharff’s sound explanations, often leavening the topic with humor. The illustrations depict families engaging in conversations, with realistic but compassionate dialogue conveyed through speech bubbles. Laudably, Scharff’s tone is positive and nonjudgmental; though she notes that readers will feel angry or upset, she writes that in the long run, young people may be even happier. She stresses that young people aren’t at fault and that they needn’t take sides in their parents’ conflict. The author acknowledges that every situation is different and that families have various options for moving forward. Images of young people working through their doubts to achieve a stable home life will reassure readers. While kids are the target audience, teens and even parents will find Scharff’s words of wisdom valuable. Characters depicted are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, and culture, allowing many readers to see themselves in these pages.

Optimistic, empathetic, and nuanced—in short, required reading for young people navigating divorce.