Book description
Nothing is the same when a parent has to leave home for a while. See how things are different for these military kids when their dad goes on deployment.
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked When You Are Away as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Written for grade school ages, this book lets children (military or not!) peek into a military family’s experiences as they struggle with the changes that happen when a parent is deployed. The children learn that nothing stays the same when a parent is away, except the way they love each other. I appreciate that the family is African-American.
From Jerilyn's list on The best books for military families dealing with deployment.
If you love When You Are Away...
The Afterlife of the Party
An interdimensional mixer with angels and other beings brings unexpected trouble for Malachi and his friends in this smart and uniquely funny second book about the squad of teens from hell.
When an angel comes to his home to deliver a message, Malachi immediately knows what’s going on. The seraph…
Want books like When You Are Away?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like When You Are Away.
Share your top 3 reads of 2026!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
186
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like When You Are Away, you might also like...
Fires Burning Underground
It’s Anny’s first day of middle school and, after years of being homeschooled, her first day of public school ever. In art, Larissa asks what kind of ESP is her favorite: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, or telekinesis? Tracy asks how she identifies: gay, straight, bi, asexual, pan, trans, or confused?
And…
Hotel Oscar Mike Echo
Home isn’t always what we dream it will be.
Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.
When they end up at a…
