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Everett Anderson #7
Everett Anderson's Goodbye
Everett Anderson's Goodbye is a touching portrait of a little boy who is trying to come to grips with his father's death. Lucille Clifton captures Everett's conflicting emotions as he confronts this painful reality. We see him struggle through many stages, from denial and anger to depression and, finally, acceptance. In this spare and moving poem, the last in this acclaimed series, Lucille Clifton brings Everett Anderson's life full circle.
Everett Anderson's Goodbye is the winner of the 1984 Coretta Scott King Author Award.
A Reading Rainbow Selection
An NCTE Teachers' Choice
Everett Anderson's Goodbye is the winner of the 1984 Coretta Scott King Author Award.
A Reading Rainbow Selection
An NCTE Teachers' Choice
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
3 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Clifton
74 books438 followersLucille Clifton was an American poet, writer, and educator from New York. Common topics in her poetry include the celebration of her African American heritage, and feminist themes, with particular emphasis on the female body.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.
Thus began her writing career.
Good Times, her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.
Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with Some of the Days of Everett Anderson, published in 1970.
In 1976, Generations: A Memoir was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".
From 1985 to 1989, Clifton was a professor of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College of Maryland. From 1995 to 1999, she was a visiting professor at Columbia University. In 2006, she was a fellow at Dartmouth College.
Clifton received the Robert Frost Medal for lifetime achievement posthumously, from the Poetry Society of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 1, 2014
As a depiction of the five stages of grief, this is well done; I'm not sure how it would make anyone feel better except in recognizing that the emotions are normal.
January 13, 2011
Most. Depressing. Picture. Book. Ever. I think I can say this is the first time a picture book every made me cry! I don't think any child should ever see this book EVER unless they have lost a parent. Then I'm sure it provides some wonderful solace. It meets it's purpose for grieving children. Otherwise, it's just really painful. Beautiful, poignant illustrations.
December 9, 2017
A gripping, honest, and sophisticated little book about grief. A masterpiece.
Read
October 27, 2023touches your heart so quick. i love lucille clifton so much.
"love doesn't stop, and
neither will I."
"love doesn't stop, and
neither will I."
May 18, 2017
6 star book
wow.
This book is only about a dozen beautifully illoed pages of a boy going through the five stages after his father's death. And it had me crying on the last page.
wow.
This book is only about a dozen beautifully illoed pages of a boy going through the five stages after his father's death. And it had me crying on the last page.
June 12, 2016
This is such a great book. I am sorry I do not remember seeing this on Reading Rainbow, a great TV show. It still makes me sad but by the end of the book, it is tears of seeing the sweet realization of everlasting love on Everett Anderson's part. I like how it is not overly detailed, follows a set of psychological stages, and is presented in a poetic-like manner.
March 31, 2020
Genre: contemporary realistic fiction
Grade range: K-2
Many students will experience loss. It is a confusing time and often times children don’t know how to cope. They feel alone and like nobody else could understand. I think this book is very necessary for students to read to realize they aren’t alone. The feelings they are having are not just experienced by them. Many people have been in their very same position. Everette Anderson’s Goodbye provides hope for those who have experienced loss. In the end, there is acceptance and the great memories you have of that person. The stinging pain won’t last forever.
Grade range: K-2
Many students will experience loss. It is a confusing time and often times children don’t know how to cope. They feel alone and like nobody else could understand. I think this book is very necessary for students to read to realize they aren’t alone. The feelings they are having are not just experienced by them. Many people have been in their very same position. Everette Anderson’s Goodbye provides hope for those who have experienced loss. In the end, there is acceptance and the great memories you have of that person. The stinging pain won’t last forever.
April 5, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: K-2
This is a great book. The illustrations in this book are really detailed and powerful, even though they are just black and white. I think this is a really good book for any children that have gone through the death of a family member. I think this book shows how time can make things better, even if the hurt never completely goes away. I love the part in this book where Everett says that even though his father is gone, his love never goes away. I think this is a really powerful statement, and could be very helpful for children who might be going through the loss of someone important in their life. Really good book!
Grade Level: K-2
This is a great book. The illustrations in this book are really detailed and powerful, even though they are just black and white. I think this is a really good book for any children that have gone through the death of a family member. I think this book shows how time can make things better, even if the hurt never completely goes away. I love the part in this book where Everett says that even though his father is gone, his love never goes away. I think this is a really powerful statement, and could be very helpful for children who might be going through the loss of someone important in their life. Really good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2022
Few children's books depart from happy faces and jolly situations to address serious issues, and those which do are daring projects worth taking a closer look - That is the case of "Everett Anderson's Goodbye".
How to talk to children about death? And how to address this sensitive issue when it's a parental death? This book is poignant, addressing the issue directly, though delicately. The fine illustrations -all in pencil - accompany the text perfectly.
There's no sugar coating to the experience of death, particularly at a young age, but this book does it splendidly, providing a sense of hope and comfort.
A little jewel to be read, shared, and treasured.
How to talk to children about death? And how to address this sensitive issue when it's a parental death? This book is poignant, addressing the issue directly, though delicately. The fine illustrations -all in pencil - accompany the text perfectly.
There's no sugar coating to the experience of death, particularly at a young age, but this book does it splendidly, providing a sense of hope and comfort.
A little jewel to be read, shared, and treasured.
August 10, 2017
Everett Anderson’s Goodbye by Lucile Clifton is a picture book that is appropriate for almost all children starting around age 3. It is a winner of a Coretta Scott King Award and is a Reading Rainbow Book. This book is contemporary realistic fiction. The story is about Everett Anderson, an African-American boy who appears to be about kindergarten age. The plot of the story centers around Everett mourning of his father. Everett's mother is very sympathetic to Everett's great pain and is a loving supporting character.
The story is very realistic and tough. The reader deeply feels for the boy. The author has chosen to be completely honest in terms of the intense pain of losing a loved one. Everett has a range of emotions besides sadness, as he goes through the five stage of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This also makes his story more authentic. Additionally, the story is illustrated through pencil sketch drawings that make the characters appear real. In the end, Everett accepts the fact that he will always love his dad even though his dad is gone, and Everett will go on to live a happy life. The book would be valuable to a child who is dealing with the loss of a loved one. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars for its emotional authenticity and usefulness for discussing the difficult subject of death.
Reviewed on 8/2/17
The story is very realistic and tough. The reader deeply feels for the boy. The author has chosen to be completely honest in terms of the intense pain of losing a loved one. Everett has a range of emotions besides sadness, as he goes through the five stage of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This also makes his story more authentic. Additionally, the story is illustrated through pencil sketch drawings that make the characters appear real. In the end, Everett accepts the fact that he will always love his dad even though his dad is gone, and Everett will go on to live a happy life. The book would be valuable to a child who is dealing with the loss of a loved one. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars for its emotional authenticity and usefulness for discussing the difficult subject of death.
Reviewed on 8/2/17
March 31, 2020
3rd grade
Contemporary realistic (bibliotherapy)
This book had some good educational values to it, but I wasn't a fan of the story's layout. This book has an accurate representation of emotions, and I enjoyed the use of rhyming. I think it has a good moral to the story, but I wish the plot was more obvious sorry younger readers sake. I would consider incorporating this book in my future classroom, but I feel that the students would need a certain level of maturity to understand it.
Contemporary realistic (bibliotherapy)
This book had some good educational values to it, but I wasn't a fan of the story's layout. This book has an accurate representation of emotions, and I enjoyed the use of rhyming. I think it has a good moral to the story, but I wish the plot was more obvious sorry younger readers sake. I would consider incorporating this book in my future classroom, but I feel that the students would need a certain level of maturity to understand it.
March 30, 2020
Early Primary
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
This is such a heartbreaking story about a little boy dealing with grief! It is a great read for any young child who is dealing with the loss of a loved one. Could spark really great conversations about hurt and expressing emotions, while assuring them that what they feel and go through is normal and valid. I love the reminder at the end of the story that although people die, you have to continue loving!
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
This is such a heartbreaking story about a little boy dealing with grief! It is a great read for any young child who is dealing with the loss of a loved one. Could spark really great conversations about hurt and expressing emotions, while assuring them that what they feel and go through is normal and valid. I love the reminder at the end of the story that although people die, you have to continue loving!
January 23, 2021
This title by beloved Lucille Clifton received a Coretta Scott King Award, a Reading Rainbow Selection, and an NCTE Teachers' Choice award. In five short sections, mirroring the five stages of grief, Everett faces his father's death with denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. All the while, his mother remains patient and quiet. Grifalconi's signature drawings (primarily in graphite, I suspect) are precious, communicating all the emotions Everett is feeling.
June 22, 2022
Everett Anderson's Goodbye is an outstanding book to read to/with children who are confronting or experiencing grief, and also for the adults who will be interacting with these children. It is not faith-based, but is not incompatible with faith-based teachings in any way that I can see. Everett's story is beautifully written by poet Lucille Clifton, and Ann Grifalconi's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. I highly recommend this book!
December 25, 2022
I have young cousins who are in the midst of grief from the lost of a grandfather and great grandfather. I think this book would be incredibly helpful for them. I remember when my grandmother passed away when I was 8. None of the adults talked to me, my siblings or cousins about it much. This text by the great Lucille Clifton and illustrations by Ann Grifalconi would help my generation do better. Deeply grateful for this work. 🙏🏿💜
December 15, 2025
The shaded black-and-white pencil drawing style of the illustrations of this picture book felt a tiny bit dated to me. But the text, a poem about a child working his way through the five stages of grief by poet Lucille Clifton, is amazing. The subject matter is tough, but Everett decides in the end "love doesn't stop, and / neither will I."
December 27, 2025
One of those books to read when there is a reason. (Either the child’s, specifically, or perhaps to understand what a family member or friend is going through.)
Grief is hard and complex. It can be difficult for an adult to understand the swirling feelings, let alone a child. I love that this book clearly outlines Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief by showing an example of how each stage may exhibit itself.
Grief is hard and complex. It can be difficult for an adult to understand the swirling feelings, let alone a child. I love that this book clearly outlines Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief by showing an example of how each stage may exhibit itself.
June 13, 2018
Although it uses the stages of grief model which is going out of style, this is a wonderful book that goes through the many different feelings a child can have after the death of a loved one - his dad. It would be very appropriate for kids even as young as 3 or so. The language is simple but poignant and true.
April 24, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2
This book is a sad book but it would help a child that is grieving a lost like Everett. I would not read this book in front of a class because they might not be sure what is going on maybe until the end. Death is something that can not be stopped, and it might be hard for a child to understand what is going on.
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2
This book is a sad book but it would help a child that is grieving a lost like Everett. I would not read this book in front of a class because they might not be sure what is going on maybe until the end. Death is something that can not be stopped, and it might be hard for a child to understand what is going on.
October 9, 2021
This is a book that has to deal with a little boy and his feelings about losing his father. It is a very compelling book and shows readers that it is okay to grieve. The book is a good source to read to a child that is experiencing loss, or experienced a parent or loved one pass away. This is a book that I would have in my classroom library for students to read as they see fit.
June 24, 2017
Awfully short and simple. Simplistic? I hope, if used for bibliotherapy, the counselor makes it clear that the 'stages of grief' are not rules, that the mourner is not to feel bad about themselves if they skip one or process them out of order....
September 19, 2019
This is a really special and beautiful book. I think it is very light. I don’t think it is too depressing. This is the only Everett Anderson book they have at my library. I don’t want this series to fade away.
Read
January 27, 2020This book deals with the Five stages of grief. The story shows how a young boy goes through each stage. Might be a good book for a child who has recently lost someone, or a classmate's family member has died. Lets children know what they are feeling is okay.
March 7, 2020
A young boy has to say goodbye to his deceased father. He passes through the 5 stages of grief, which are delineated at the beginning of the book. Perfect illustrations (although I wish the cover art were a little different). Heartbreaking, but excellent for a grieving child.
April 2, 2020
Contemporary realistic
K-2nd grade
This book broke my heart. How sad to watch a young boy go through the grief of losing his father. I felt so, so bad for him when I read through this book. But there is a lot of healing that can be found through “Everett Anderson’s Goodbye”
K-2nd grade
This book broke my heart. How sad to watch a young boy go through the grief of losing his father. I felt so, so bad for him when I read through this book. But there is a lot of healing that can be found through “Everett Anderson’s Goodbye”
April 18, 2020
Contemporary Realistic
K-3
This is a very sad and semi heartbreaking book but there can be many lessons that a student can learn from it! I would recommend it for K-3 because of the reading level but it may stir some emotions for these kids. It is a well written and illustrated book!
K-3
This is a very sad and semi heartbreaking book but there can be many lessons that a student can learn from it! I would recommend it for K-3 because of the reading level but it may stir some emotions for these kids. It is a well written and illustrated book!
April 24, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: K-3
Wow. Can I just say Wow. This was such a sad book. It almost made me cry as poor Everett Anderson is trying to get over his father's death. I loved everything about this book, it all seemed to come together wonderfully: the way it was told, the pictures, and the ending! I really want to recommend this book for all kids, but I think this book should be read to the child when they are going through a very rough time. It's hard to recommend this book for any child because of how sad it is, but unfortunately death happens and this is a great book that addresses how to get through it.
Reading Level: K-3
Wow. Can I just say Wow. This was such a sad book. It almost made me cry as poor Everett Anderson is trying to get over his father's death. I loved everything about this book, it all seemed to come together wonderfully: the way it was told, the pictures, and the ending! I really want to recommend this book for all kids, but I think this book should be read to the child when they are going through a very rough time. It's hard to recommend this book for any child because of how sad it is, but unfortunately death happens and this is a great book that addresses how to get through it.
April 21, 2020
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
I think that is a very sad book. But many students will lose someone close to them. So this could help them with coping and understanding that they are not alone and that we all understand and that we love them no matter what.
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
I think that is a very sad book. But many students will lose someone close to them. So this could help them with coping and understanding that they are not alone and that we all understand and that we love them no matter what.
June 10, 2021
While I applaud the attempt to share the stages of grief with children, this is a little too sparse to really share any comfort. Everett's father has died and Everett goes through the typical 5 stages of grief. The story would have been better with a bit more content.
June 24, 2017
This is a beautiful and well known book, written by poet Lucille Clifton. It's an oldie, but a goodie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews