Book excerpt: Mom and Dad in Heaven tells the moving story of a young girl struggling to understand her parents’ untimely deaths in an accident. Mary has many questions and the pat answers she receives from her grandparents, teachers, friends aren’t enough. In the desire to make sense of her loss – and with the gentle, loving responses of those around her – Mary begins to address her grief. Over the course of these first few months of her bereavement, she also asks questions about faith, God, and heaven. Originally published in Norway as Mor og far i himmelen (Mother and Father in Heaven), this new edition is beautifully illustrated by Øyvind Torseter. Written as diary entries, the book is set at a third-fifth grade reading level. Elementary school children who may be grappling with loss and grief will find Mary’s story accessible and comforting as they navigate their feelings and questions together. Age range: 8 - 11 years old, Grade Level: 3rd grade - 5th grade