Tag: Mental health

REVIEW: Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

REVIEW: Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Bloomsbury Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

December is a walking, talking bird encyclopedia. She has memorized her copy of The Complete Guide to Birds, Vol. 1, one of the few personal items she takes from foster home to foster home. December believes that someday, she will transform into a bird herself. The scar on her back is the proof that one day she will have wings.

December’s belief often drives her into tall trees where she thinks she can launch herself into flight. And when she keeps trying, she’s sent to a new foster home and a new school.

Eleanor isn’t bad as foster parents go. She knows a lot about animals, and she’s good at giving December space to be the girl she is. And at school, December has the chance to befriend another student going through her own struggles. But December questions if any of these things – a new home, a new friend – can be counted on. Maybe she’d be better off if she just flew away.

Review

I have mixed feelings on this one. I wrestled through a good portion of the book trying to figure out if December’s bird/flying thing was the result of trauma or if it was psychosis. How much did she really believe she would fly? Also, I did not find it believable that the social service system would not be more alarmed about a child in care flinging herself out of trees. I think there would have been a much stronger reaction – maybe to the point of group home care or something more secure.

I liked Eleanor’s relationship with December. December noticed Eleanor’s effort to give her space, and ask her what she wanted. This relationship was my favorite part of the book. Even so, the story never fully connected with my heart. I didn’t click with December. And I realize because of her life experience she is protective and isolating and cautious. But usually with characters like that, there are other factors that allow me to connect emotionally. I didn’t find them in this case.

The other relationship I liked was December’s relationship with a transgender student at her new school, Cheryllynn. Cheryllynn was an advocate and support for December, and then December returned the favor. The issues with the mean girls weren’t resolved, nor did they escalate. They were just there – part of life. Maybe I needed more here, too.

For readers who like stories where characters overcome their past or wrestle through mental health or family issues, this might work. It wouldn’t be my first choice for kids looking for stories like that, but for kids who have worked through other examples, they might want to check out December’s story. Fans of animal books might enjoy the bird facts in this book.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: After Zero by Christina Collins

REVIEW: After Zero by Christina Collins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Elise is the “quiet” one. It’s almost become a game for her. How can she get through the school day with as few words as possible? Unfortunately her teachers love things like group discussions and oral presentations. But a bathroom pass can do wonders to help her avoid those projects, at least for awhile.

Elise was homeschooled for elementary school. And she missed out on things other kids seemed to take for granted like birthday parties and negotiating social relationships. Now Elise is in a public middle school. She skipped ahead to 8th grade while her one neighborhood friend is in 7th. But Elise struggles even to talk to her.

At the beginning of the year Elise talked some. But a few false starts left her feeling exposed and awkward. It felt safer to just keep to herself.

But when Elise discovers a secret her mom has been keeping, things start to spiral out of control for Elise. And if she won’t – or can’t – speak up, how can she ever find out the truth or find help?

Review

For most of the book, I struggled to figure out where things were going. I cared about Elise and felt desperate for her to speak – to get help or stick up for herself. There were some out-of-the-ordinary moments that left me wondering if the book was somehow in the fantasy genre and I missed it in the description. If I hadn’t agreed to review this, I might not have pushed through to the end. And that would have been a shame.

This is the sort of book that you can’t evaluate except from the end. You have to press through all of your questions and frustration for Elise. Because in the end, everything ties together and becomes clear.

I learned a lot in this story about Elise’s situation. I don’t want to give anything away by saying more. I will say this will fit with the collection of middle grade books exploring mental health, but it brings an entirely new piece into the discussion. I don’t know of another book that looks at kids like Elise. And the author told the story in such a way that the reader was desperate for Elise to get her answers even if the reader doesn’t know how they are going to come about.

This would be great for upper elementary and middle school readers, especially for fans of books like Finding Perfect, Still a Work in Progress, Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes, and The Seventh Wish.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Gatekeepers by Jen Lancaster

REVIEW: The Gatekeepers by Jen Lancaster

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

In the Chicago suburb of North Shore, excellence is the status quo. In the Breakfast Club era of their parents, kids fit into one of many stereotypes. But in North Shore, the teens meet them all. It’s not sufficient to be smart OR athletic. You must be both. And you have to be the best. Best on the team. Super involved in extracurriculars. And planning and prepping for an Ivy League college all through high school.

The kids of North Shore deliver on all of these expectations. Their test scores and rates of college admission are among the best. This in turn draws in more (wealthy) families who can give their kids everything money can buy.

But North Shore has a hidden dark side. These kids who seem to have every advantage can’t always keep up with the pressure. Two kids committed suicide this summer alone. How does North Shore respond? A couple days for grieving and then back to the grind.

How long can they keep this up? What will it take to stop the cycle?

Review

Wow. I was drawn to this story about high-achieving, uber-pressured kids who step up to help one another when they lose one of their own. But it took awhile to get to that part of the story. While part of me wondered when the story would really kick into gear, another part was okay with the wait because the characters were interesting. The slow build gave me time to get to know them and care about them.

By the final third of the story, I had a hard time setting the book down. I kept thinking about the characters and wondering how everything would shake out. The ending was perfect. I would go back and read the last few chapters again. Once some of the main characters owned and shared their true thoughts and feelings about their losses, I was entranced.

This book talks about difficult subjects – teen suicide, drug use, abuse, mental health – honestly and authentically. There’s a LOT here that would be great for group discussion with teens. I read this right after As You Wish which made for an interesting pairing. There are many stark differences between the books, but the pressure on teens is a consistent theme in both. I highly recommend this book for older teens, young adults and adults, especially those who work with and care about teens.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Real Friends by Shannon Hale

REVIEW: Real Friends by Shannon Hale

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Shannon Hale shares stories of her elementary school years, mostly focused on school friendships in this graphic novel memoir. Girls’ friendships in those years can be fraught with cliques, and girls can get caught up in the ebb and flow of in-crowds and outcasts. Shannon shares experiences from both sides of that continuum. She also faced backlash at home from an older sister who was also struggling with social relationships and friend issues.

Review

This is a lovely graphic novel memoir along the lines of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile or Cece Bell’s El Deafo. If I was still teaching, I would want to have multiple copies of this one because my students would keep this in circulation all year.

For every Queen Bee clique leader in school, there are 3-10 girls who feel the rush of acceptance and the sting of being shunned that cycles in these circles. Even though Shannon’s story is anchored in the late 70s and early 80s pop culture (Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, Michael Jackson, Chicago 17), the friend experiences – and some sibling experiences – span generations.

The art work is beautiful and will grab the attention of graphic novel fans. Also, the end notes explain some of the story factors – anxiety and minor OCD behaviors – as well as sharing a little of the “epilogue” that is Shannon’s life today.

This book can give readers a sense of hope and feeling of being understood. They will hopefully glean that they are not alone in the struggle. Perfect for school and home libraries.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes by Mary E. Lambert

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The downward spiral kicks off when the pile of papers falls over and lands on Leslie’s head. It was inevitable. That particular pile had been growing for days but Annabelle was apparently the only one to notice the danger before it happened. All it took was her brother Chad slamming out the door for it to come tumbling down.

In so many ways, this was business as usual at Annabelle’s house. The piles. The dust. The rat. Annabelle’s mom is a hoarder. This is why Annabelle won’t let her friends come within 5 mines of the house. It’s why she keeps her own room spare and immaculate. Unfortunately, it’s also why her sister, Leslie, is having nightmares of drowning, why she collects articles about hoarders dying in their own clutter, and why her anxiety is so bad it makes her physically ill. It’s why Annabelle’s brother is rarely at home and why her dad hides in his books or his work.

When Annabelle’s dad gets fed up and leaves early on a work trip and cuts off contact with the family, Leslie calls Grandma Nora. Now that someone else knows what’s happening, either Annabelle’s mom is going to get the help she needs, or everything Annabelle’s afraid of is going to become a reality.

Review

Such a great story and told so well! I loved Annabeth! She has some great observations about how things work in the world, even though at the same time she is too close to see her own situation objectively. I love the descriptions of how she has tried to handle her family in her own way. Annabelle also plays an interesting role in her family dynamics. I enjoyed watching that in process, too,

One of the messages of the book is that everyone has something going on. As a kid, you can grow up thinking either the dysfunctions in your family are completely normal, or you can think that your family is the only one that is “broken.” This story acknowledges that there are degrees – some families, like Annabelle’s, need outside professional help and other families are able to work things out on their own.

Annabelle’s friends are mostly supportive and compassionate in response to the things they learn about her family. And that allows her to focus on what her family needs.

This would be great for fans of books like The Seventh Wish, Still a Work in Progress, Finding Perfect and other stories of kids facing mental health issues, either in their own lives or in the lives of people they love.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A sensitive book about  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Molly has become pretty skilled at looking like she has it all together. She has good friends. She’s known at school for her poetry. She’s convinced that her mom will move back from Toronto at the end of the year, just like she promised.

But under the perfect exterior she tries to show the world, Molly is starting to lose control. She has to get up earlier and earlier in the morning so she can complete all of her rituals. If she makes even the smallest mistake, she has to start over. It’s impacting her at home and at school. And the compulsions seem to be getting worse.

Review

Oh, my heart broke for Molly…. The author did a great job of showing how Molly’s behavior moves and evolves from subtle routines to overwhelming compulsions. The reader gets to see Molly’s awareness of her quirks and also her feelings of helplessness. She is desperate to reach out to someone – anyone – for help, but the reader also sees the roadblocks that keep her trapped. The emotional core of this story is so well done and engenders so much empathy for Molly.

I’ve noticed more books lately for this middle grade audience (10 to 14ish) that deal with mental health issues. Books like The Seventh Wish (drug addiction), and Still a Work in Progress (eating disorders), and Finding Perfect, introduce readers to illnesses that can effect them or their peers or family members. The books are age-appropriate, while dealing with serious topics. Readers can develop empathy for the characters who are struggling – or watching family members struggle. Best of all, parents and teachers can engage with readers about these topics because the books have opened the door.

I loved Molly’s story and I hope you will enjoy it too!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥