This Sure Thing really hit me in the feels. It’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish reading. The story is about a boy who’s grieving the loss of his younger brother. It’s a really honest, emotional look at how grief can shape your thoughts and feelings. The boy imagines all these “what if” scenarios — what if his brother was still here, playing football, blowing out trick candles on his birthday cake. The way his imagination brings his brother to life again is so touching and real.

What really stood out to me was how the boy never lets go of the love he feels for his brother, even though his brother is no longer physically here. The love is still there, and it’s a big part of his healing process. It’s a beautiful reminder that even after someone passes, the love we have for them stays with us. This book doesn’t just deal with loss—it teaches us that grief is a journey, and love can still guide us through it.

Sarah Mayfield brings her own experience and expertise into the book, and you can tell that this is more than just a story—it’s a way to help others dealing with loss. The story is told from the boy’s point of view, and that really makes you feel connected to his emotions. You can almost feel his pain and longing, but also his quiet hope.

I think this book is a perfect read for kids, especially those who have experienced loss. It’s a gentle and comforting way to help them understand their own feelings and to know they’re not alone. It also feels like it could be a great resource for parents and counselors who want to talk about grief with kids in a way that feels natural and safe.

In short, This Sure Thing is a beautifully written, heartwarming book about loss, love, and healing. It’s one of those stories that gives you a lot to think about while also leaving you with a sense of peace. Highly recommend it for families, classrooms, or anyone dealing with grief in their lives.

This version is more conversational, relaxed, and personal, just like a review you might share with a friend after reading a book. It focuses on the emotional impact, the themes of love and grief, and provides a genuine recommendation

I read this in ignorance; you will buy this with informed knowledge on what it's about. Covering the fact that an older sibling is grieving for his deceased younger brother, it shows in black and white the two of them playing together, and bonding together, whether that's on the street with a ball or in front of a console and TV. The kid then picks up a photo frame showing said sibling, and then we burst into colour. What we have been seeing is a memory, a ghost of their life together, but we need worry not – the older lad is continuing to play ball, make people laugh, visit the same park, etc etc.

The end matter talks to both the young reader and the parent or caregiver about grief, and how life must continue. The book also comes with the idea of notes that we can cut or print out, and let the spirit of the dead know what we did – where we went that reminded us of them, what would have been best shared that day, and so on. I can't see this failing to connect the life lost with the life going forward, and to act as a step to smooth over that grief with the actual life to come.

But why I opened with the sentence I did is that the artwork really threw me at first. From my impressions of the cover and the first few pages I thought the older child was a father – this really looked like a much older character, and that this was a father-son gift book love letter thing. It is a love letter thing, as I say, but why the older of the brothers looks so adult I don't know. This speaks to you as a pre-teen, and does it very well. And if it helps you speak to someone you're sorely missing, while getting you to carry on partly for their sake, then it will have succeeded. That one element of the (otherwise very good) art aside it has every chance of success – a strong four stars.

This children’s book isn’t necessarily for everyone, but it could be profoundly meaningful for a child who has experienced the loss of a sibling.

It opens with a boy imagining all the things he would have loved to do with his little brother if he were still alive, including sharing laughs over jokes, playing video games and sports, and even attending church together. These moments are depicted in black and white, which, to me, highlights that these are the dreams of what could have been.

The story then transitions to color, symbolizing the boy’s reality. In this part, the boy chooses to live in a way that honors his brother’s memory. He becomes a kind friend, helps others in need, picks up trash at the playground they used to visit, and talks to his parents about missing his brother. He holds onto “this sure thing”, which is his unwavering love for his brother.

The book is written with simplicity and care, aiming to help children navigate their emotions after the loss of a sibling while offering ways to honor their loved one through actions. At the end, there is a section for parents with advice on supporting a grieving child and fostering ongoing bonds with the departed. The book also offers an insightful list of 30 “Ways to Live That Love,” inspiring children (and adults) to express love and honor in memory of their departed family member.

This isn’t an easy or casual read, but it’s a meaningful and impactful one for the audience it’s meant to serve.

Thank you @netgalley and Brandylane Publishers, Inc for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed voluntarily.

A very sensitive book about a very sensitive topic. Losing your sibling, at a young age, this book addresses how one remembers and honors his sibling. The book is well and gently written and well illustrated, and the appendix helps you find way to remember, treasure, and honor your loved one. A difficult but necessary book, I found it touching and interesting. I cannot imagine losing a sibling while young.