Dealing With Tragedy

After a tragedy like the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, it can be hard to for educators to know the best way to guide students through this sad time.  While some students need to talk through their emotions, others feel over-saturated and need a break from the heavy discussion, and some turn to books. 

Parents may be asking you for resources to share with their children and teens may be looking for books to help them work through their own feelings, and what librarian doesn't come prepared to deal with any situation without a handful of recommendations?

Mediabistro's GalleyCat has a short list of books to share with children linked with their WorldCat records and the Child Witness to Violence organization has a lengthy bibliography for younger children.  Other titles dealing with school shootings that are more appropriate for upper school students include Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, Francine Prose's After, or Jennifer Brown's Hate List.

A particularly useful resource from the National Association of School Psychologists  (NASP) gives tips about how to help children cope with tragedy.  If you have found any other helpful resources, feel free to add them in the comments.