Navigating Change: 11 Teen Books About Divorce

Divorce can be difficult for any child, but it often hits teenagers particularly hard.

Adolescents are already navigating the complexities of growing up, forming their identity, managing school pressures and building relationships. When their family dynamic suddenly shifts due to separation or divorce, it can lead to confusion, anger, sadness or even withdrawal. As a parent, it’s tough to balance your own emotional challenges during divorce and being present for your children.

One powerful way to support teens through this transition as a single parent is by giving them access to relatable stories and helpful guidance through books.

Books can be a source of comfort, validation and insight for teens experiencing family breakdown. Whether fiction or non-fiction, stories that reflect their emotions and situations can help them feel less alone, provide reassurance and provide tools to cope with the changes.

Ian Shann, a family mediator from Move On Mediation, recommends the following teen-friendly titles that may help teenagers understand, express and manage their feelings during a divorce.

It’s Not the End of the World – Judy Blume

A classic for a reason, Judy Blume’s It’s Not the End of the World centres on Karen, a 12-year-old girl grappling with her parents’ divorce. While Karen is slightly younger than a teenager, the emotional landscape she navigates is familiar to teens experiencing similar family upheaval. Karen’s internal struggles—trying to fix her parents’ marriage, feeling torn between loyalties and the fear of an uncertain future—mirror what many adolescents go through.

Judy Blume has a unique way of giving voice to children and teens during vulnerable times and this book remains relevant despite being first published decades ago. It’s a gentle, approachable introduction to the subject, making it suitable for younger teens or those who prefer a lighter read with emotional depth.

My Life as an Alphabet – Barry Jonsberg

Written by Australian author Barry Jonsberg, My Life as an Alphabet features Candice Phee, a quirky and loveable teenager who tackles life’s challenges with humour and heart. While not solely about divorce, the story includes themes of family breakdown, mental health and grief, all navigated through Candice’s unique worldview.

Teen readers will connect with Candice’s honesty and resilience, especially those coping with big family changes. The book’s uplifting tone, combined with thoughtful exploration of family issues, makes it a great read for teens who prefer something hopeful and character-driven. It’s also a great starting point for deeper conversations about emotional wellbeing.

Split in Two: Keeping it Together When Your Parents Live Apart – Karen Buscemi

This non-fiction guide speaks directly to teens who are living between two homes after a divorce. Written in a down-to-earth style, Split in Two offers practical advice and real-life testimonials from teens who’ve been through it. It covers topics like managing different house rules, dealing with holidays and birthdays and handling loyalty conflicts.

It’s ideal for older teens who want straightforward tools and reassurance. The book empowers teens by validating their feelings and helping them develop coping strategies for living with separated parents. It’s an especially useful book for teenagers who feel stuck in the middle or overwhelmed by change.

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling – Wai Chim

An award-winning novel by Chinese-Australian author Wai Chim, this coming-of-age story isn’t strictly about divorce but it delves into family dysfunction, mental illness and the pressures teens face in multicultural households. The protagonist, Anna Chiu, juggles school life with caring for her mother and navigating a complicated relationship with her father.

The themes of family struggle and identity will resonate with teens going through parental separation, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds. The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling is heartfelt, nuanced and explores resilience in the face of emotional turmoil—something many teens dealing with divorce can relate to.

Divorce Is Not the End of the World: Zoe and Evan’s Coping Guide for Kids – Zoe Stern and Evan Stern

Written by a brother and sister duo based on their own experience of divorce, this book combines real-life advice with a peer perspective. Though originally written for a slightly younger audience, the language and content are still accessible and helpful for younger teens.

What makes this book unique is its dual perspective, offering insights from both a teenage girl and boy. It covers the emotional rollercoaster of divorce, offers tips for coping and reminds teens that they are not alone. It’s especially valuable for children who want to hear from others who have “been there” rather than just adult voices.

Mosquitoland – David Arnold

Mosquitoland is a quirky and heartfelt road trip novel that follows 16-year-old Mim Malone as she travels from Mississippi to Ohio after learning her mother is unwell. Along the way, she reflects on her parents’ divorce, her own identity and the complexities of mental health. While not solely about divorce, the emotional aftermath of her family breakdown is a key thread throughout the novel.

David Arnold presents Mim as a fiercely independent and witty narrator whose inner monologue is raw, funny and deeply relatable. Teens dealing with divorce will recognise the confusion and conflict that comes with shifting family dynamics, especially when communication breaks down. Mim’s journey—both physical and emotional—is about reclaiming her voice and making sense of a world that suddenly feels uncertain.

This novel is especially suited to older teens (15+) who enjoy character-driven stories with depth, dark humour and a touch of adventure. It reminds readers that it’s okay to question, to grieve and to carve their own path through change.

Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids – Isolina Ricci, PhD

A practical guide written specifically for children and teens navigating co-parenting arrangements, Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids is grounded in years of family therapy experience. It offers clear guidance, coping tools and emotional support tailored for young readers.

Covering everything from communication strategies to how to handle stepparents and transitions between homes, this book is a great resource for teens who like structure and clarity. It’s particularly helpful for kids dealing with conflict between parents or feeling unsure how to adjust to post-divorce family life.

The Bright Side: Surviving Your Parents’ Divorce – Max Sindell

This non-fiction guide speaks directly to teens with honesty, humour and empathy. Max Sindell takes a conversational and upbeat approach to a tough topic, aiming to empower teens by helping them understand that while divorce is hard, it doesn’t define them or their future.

The Bright Side is packed with advice on everything from managing emotions and adjusting to new living arrangements, to understanding legal terms and dealing with peer reactions. It’s particularly effective for teens who want a no-nonsense, friendly voice that doesn’t sugar-coat things but still focuses on hope and resilience.

What sets this book apart is its positive, forward-looking tone—it encourages teens to acknowledge the pain of divorce while also looking for growth and strength in the experience. It’s a great pick for older teens who prefer a realistic but optimistic guide that treats them with respect and encourages independence, reflection and self-worth.

Dear Sweet Pea – Julie Murphy

This warm, funny novel follows 13-year-old Sweet Pea as she copes with her parents’ divorce, living in two nearly identical houses on the same street. While the setup is humorous, the book delves into real emotional challenges, including navigating friendships, new family dynamics and self-acceptance.

Julie Murphy handles complex feelings with compassion and relatability. Dear Sweet Pea is perfect for early-to-mid teens who enjoy contemporary fiction with heart and humour. It encourages young readers to embrace change and trust their own voice, even when things feel uncertain.

Goggle-Eyes – Anne Fine

First published in the UK but still relevant today, Goggle-Eyes by Anne Fine is a witty and touching novel about acceptance, change and complicated family relationships. The story centres on Kitty, a teenager who’s furious that her mother is dating again after her parents’ separation. She nicknames her mother’s boyfriend “Goggle-Eyes” and is convinced he’s ruining everything.

Through flashbacks and conversations with a friend going through a similar situation, Kitty slowly begins to process her feelings and see the bigger picture. The book doesn’t shy away from the emotional confusion teens can feel when parents separate and move on, especially when new partners are involved.

Anne Fine has a talent for writing complex emotions with humour and warmth. This book is ideal for younger teens (around 13–15) who are dealing with their parents starting new relationships. It’s a light yet emotionally intelligent read that encourages empathy, understanding and emotional growth.

Somebody That I Used to Know – Emily Gale

Another standout from an Australian author, Somebody That I Used to Know explores not just family breakdown, but also friendship, grief and personal growth. The story follows a teenage girl, Frankie, who reconnects with a former best friend while her world shifts around her. Divorce and family upheaval are woven into the emotional fabric of the narrative, making it highly relatable for teens in transition.

This book is beautifully written and captures the complexities of teenage emotions with authenticity. It’s particularly suited to thoughtful teens who are processing big feelings and looking for stories that mirror their own struggles and strengths.

Helping teens cope with divorce isn’t easy but offering them stories and guides that reflect their experience can make a real difference. Whether your teenager prefers fiction or non-fiction, light-hearted stories or emotionally rich novels, these books can provide comfort, insight and reassurance during a challenging time.

Encouraging teens to read about others who’ve walked a similar path may help them feel more understood—and remind them they’re not alone as they adjust to their new normal.

Ian Shann is the principal mediator and director of Move On Mediation in Perth. Move On offers affordable and effective family mediation in Perth for separating couples.

Ian’s commitment is simple – to help keep separated couples out of the Family Court and minimise their need for lawyers, saving them time, money and anguish. Under Ian’s guidance, separated couples are able to Move On with their lives through amicable and affordable family mediation.

Ian has been a nationally accredited family mediator in Perth since 2008. He is also a nationally accredited Family Law Arbitrator and a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

Website: https://www.moveon.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moveonmediation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-shann

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