How It Feels When Parents Divorce [Paperback]

Jill Krementz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1988 | Age Level: 8 and up

In this immensely moving book, nineteen boys and girls, from seven to sixteen years old and from highly diverse backgrounds, share with us their deepest feelings about their parents' divorce. By listening to them, all children of divorced parents can find constructive ways to help themselves through this difficult time. And they will learn that their own shock and anger, confusion and pain, have been experienced by others and are normal and appropriate. These boys and girls speak with extraordinary honesty and tolerance, and with a remarkable absence of rationalization, illusion, or attempt to justify their own often-trying behavior in response to their situations. Their stories are immediate and convincing, and their generosity in confiding their feelings should provide comfort to children and parents alike.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Photographs and simple, thoughtful narrations create sensitive portraits of children who have undergone family crises. All ages.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Jill Krementz's book uses two important techniques for uncovering the issues for children of divorce -- her soul-searching pictures of the children and her sensitive interviews. Since 58 percent of children in the United States will live in single-parent families, their feelings should be a critical, burning issue for all of us. The issues as they see them are poignant and devastatingly incisive in the telling. That they all pay a price -- of having to assume the responsibility for family breakup, of having to wonder whether family relationships are even a good idea -- comes through loud and clear. That the price can be balanced in some ways by parents who do not use the child as a "football," but maintain good relationships with each other, is demonstrated as well. I feel that parents can certainly benefit, as can children, from learning about how to live with the losses of a divorce. The voices of these children are strong and vital. Their stories show how achingly responsive they are to such a caring, sensitive person as Ms. Krementz. This is a beautiful book and one we should all read."

-- Dr. T. Berry Brazelton

"Krementz has captured the painful and resilient humanity of these families both in her photographs and in the words she has selected. This is truly an important book."

-- Edward H. Garcia, Dallas Morning News

"These are poignant and honest pictures and stories of children of divorce, told in their own words. They should give valuable insights to all divorced and divorcing parents -- and to their children too. They are more revealing than the books written by the professionals."

-- Dr. Benjamin Spock

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Knopf (February 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394758552
• ISBN-13: 978-0394758558
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i AM A DIVORCE LAWYER AND RECOMMEND IT TO ALL CLIENTS, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How It Feels When Parents Divorce (Paperback)

PARENTS ARE UNDER STRESS GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE. THEY USUALLY HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM ( LAWYER, FRIEND, FAMILY, CO-EMPLOYEES] children do not have a support system nor age and wisdom to help them. this book allows parents to step back and objectively hear the childs voice at different ages advise how they felt and what parents can do.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth It, April 5, 2008

By 

K. Brandt "Read It, See it, Do it" (VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How It Feels When Parents Divorce (Paperback)

I plan to read this book with my daughters and use it as a place to start talking about how they are feeling. The book is not new, so some of the problems addressed by the kids might not be as much of an issue now. I still feel it is a good book to read with the kids and start talking about what's going to happen.

5.0 out of 5 stars My wife likes it, October 27, 2011

By 

GriefScout - See all my reviews

This review is from: How It Feels When Parents Divorce (Paperback)

My wife is a child and family therapist and she likes this book, says reading the stories with kids is a great way to start conversations about how their lives are similar, or different, to the lives of the children featured on the various pages. Maybe this book needs updating.