Ummm. Crud. I really want to recommend Diane Duane's Young Wizards series...but partway through it, a parent does indeed die (and her wizard child tries to save her through magic and fails), so I think that would be a good series to avoid, unfortunately. And it's relevant and has repercussions in later books, so skipping that book altogether might not work either.
Alas, other than that and Tamora Pierce, I'm not sure what to recommend - and some of Tamora Pierce's subject matter is a bit grown-up at times (YA of the 10-12 level, I'd think.) Although the Circle of Magic books aren't, all four kids have been dumped on the temple, and one is orphaned - and while it's not on-screen, there's a flashback to it.
no subject
Alas, other than that and Tamora Pierce, I'm not sure what to recommend - and some of Tamora Pierce's subject matter is a bit grown-up at times (YA of the 10-12 level, I'd think.) Although the Circle of Magic books aren't, all four kids have been dumped on the temple, and one is orphaned - and while it's not on-screen, there's a flashback to it.