100s: The Turbulent Years: Series Nonfiction on Teen Emotional and Mental Health
RSSReviewed by Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, Cazenovia, New York -- School Library Journal, 11/01/2008
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The Bottom Line |
Resources in the area of emotional health satisfy student requests for factual information and offer teens the opportunity to responsibly explore issues of personal concern. There's no question that adolescence is often marked by emotional turmoil and that health and wellness topics are integrated across grade levels and disciplines in today's curriculum. These series support current standards with balanced, up-to-date content; suggestions of additional resources; attractive visuals to draw readers of all abilities; and a positive approach. They can also boast a pulse on some of the most critical mental-health issues of our time.
BINGHAM, Jane. Stress and Depression ISBN 978-0-8368-9203-1. LC 2008005237.
MEDINA, Sarah. Abuse and Neglect ISBN 978-0-8368-9198-0. LC 2008005458.
POWELL, Jillian. Alcohol and Drug Abuse ISBN 978-0-8368-9199-7. LC 2008005459.
POWELL, Jillian. Family Crises ISBN 978-0-8368-9201-7. LC 2008005460.
POWELL, Jillian. Self-Harm and Suicide ISBN 978-0-8368-9202-4. LC 2008004276. ea vol: 48p. (Emotional Health Issues Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens 2008. PLB $31.
Gr 5-9–Answers to questions such as “What are drugs?” and “What is abuse?” as well as clear language and explanations make this series suitable for fact-finding missions, but the abundant graphics and case studies are likely to draw in browsers as well. Throughout, unfamiliar vocabulary is highlighted in bold and explained in context and in the glossary. Concise explanations of depression's symptoms, self-injurious behaviors, and forms of emotional abuse, for example, will help build students' health literacy. Captioned photos depict multiethnic preteens and teens in posed scenes, although one photograph of an anorexic girl and another of an abused boy are all too realistic. Getting help is the key message, along with taking control by creating personal space, keeping a diary, and thinking through choices. Fact boxes and case study sidebars add information. Further-reading suggestions of novels, diaries, and memoirs will create both literary and personal connections to the topics.
CEFREY, Holly. Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking and Driving ISBN 978-1-4042-1809-3. LC 2007051056.COBB, Allan B. Frequently Asked Questions About Migraines and Headaches ISBN 978-1-4042-1814-7. LC 2007049652.
GIDDENS, Sandra. Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide ISBN 978-1-4042-1811-6. LC 2008000747.
GONZALEZ, Lissette. Frequently Asked Questions About Human Papillomavirus illus. ISBN 978-1-4042-1813-0. LC 2008010302.
JUZWIAK, Rich. Frequently Asked Questions About Peer Pressure ISBN 978-1-4042-1805-5. LC 2008000355.
MONTEVERDE, Matt. Frequently Asked Questions About Budgeting and Money Management ISBN 978-1-4042-1804-8. LC 2007045355.
NAGLE, Jeanne. Frequently Asked Questions About Avian Flu ISBN 978-1-4042-1810-9. LC 2008010301.
PORTERFIELD, Jason. Frequently Asked Questions About College and Career Training ISBN 978-1-4042-1803-1. LC 2008000001.
ROBINSON, Richard. Frequently Asked Questions About AIDS and HIV ISBN 978-1-4042-1808-6. LC 2008001116.
SAWYER, Sarah. Frequently Asked Questions About Body Piercing and Tattooing ISBN 978-1-4042-1812-3. LC 2007044385.
WILLETT, Edward. Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise Addiction ISBN 978-1-4042-1806-2. LC 2008000358.
ZAHENSKY, Barbara A. Frequently Asked Questions About Athletes and Eating Disorders ISBN 978-1-4042-1807-9. LC 2007051057. ea vol: 63p. (FAQ: Teen Life Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Nov. 2008. PLB $29.25.
Gr 7 Up–This series takes a whole-body approach to teens' lives, discussing the issues that affect both their physical and emotional well-being. Chapter titles in the form of questions such as “How Do I Stand Strong Against Peer Pressure?” and “What Leads to Eating Disorders?” mirror assignment queries. Accessible narratives present bulleted information, list myths and facts, discuss risky behaviors, and dispense wellness advice. Newsworthy topics cover pandemics, body art, the Gardasil vaccine, cyberbullying, and binge drinking. The books adeptly reach out to both genders, especially Athletes and Eating Disorders and Exercise Addiction, which address concerns about professional athletes as role models and students' desires to please coaches. Crisp, captioned color photos (eye-popping in Body Piercing and Tattooing) are found throughout; Human Papillomavirus and Migraines and Headaches also include drawings that illustrate anatomy and physiology. Annotated lists of organizations to contact conclude the volumes.
EHRMAN, MK. Taking a Stand: Being a Leader & Helping Others ISBN 978-1-60453-105-3. LC 2008015211.GAGLIARDI, Tina. School Survival: Keeping Your Cool at School ISBN 978-1-60453-104-6. LC 2008011902.
HARRIS, Ashley Rae. Cliques, Crushes, & True Friends: Developing Healthy Relationships ISBN 978-1-60453-099-5. LC 2008012103.
HARRIS, Ashley Rae. Girl in the Mirror: Understanding Physical Changes ISBN 978-1-60453-100-8. LC 2008011903.
HARRIS, Ashley Rae. Is This Really My Family?: Relating to Your Relatives ISBN 978-1-60453-101-5. LC 2008012105.
ORR, Tamra. Beautiful Me: Finding Personal Strength & Self-Acceptance ISBN 978-1-60453-098-8. LC 2008011902.
ORR, Tamra. Playing Safe, Eating Right: Making Healthy Choices ISBN 978-1-60453-103-9. LC 2008017015.
PALAD, Thea. Mixed Messages: Interpreting Body Image & Social Norms ISBN 978-1-60453-102-2. LC 2008019351. ea vol: 112p. (Essential Health: Strong, Beautiful Girls Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. ABDO 2008. PLB $22.95.
Gr 6-9–Delicate, flowery borders and designs grace the pages in these books, yet the personal stories (titled “The Fat Girl” and “Pizza Face” in Girl in the Mirror) are both forthright and candid. Through case studies these volumes cover the gamut of challenges and pressures that whittle girls' self-esteem, such as snubbing by friends, failing to make a sports team, and taking risks with drugs and alcohol. “Talk About It” sidebars pose critical-thinking questions about the situations described in the texts. Professional advice, support, and suggestions from “Dr. Vicki” conclude each chapter. Color photos feature a variety of girls, from preteens to high school students, some with physical challenges. The true-to-life situations described in these books will be a sure hook for the intended audience.
GIDDENS, Sandra. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ISBN 978-1-4042-1801-7. LC 2008010902.JUZWIAK, Rich. Addictive Personality ISBN 978-1-4042-1802-4. LC 2008002023.
LEVIN, Judith. Anxiety and Panic Attacks ISBN 978-1-4042-1797-3. LC 2008007144.
LEVIN, Judith. Depression and Mood Disorders ISBN 978-1-4042-1798-0. LC 2008000554.
MOORE, Andrew. Meditation ISBN 978-1-4042-1799-7. LC 2008013567.
QUILL, Charlie. Anger and Anger Management ISBN 978-1-4042-1800-0. LC 2008002953. ea vol: 48p. (Teen Mental Health Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Nov. 2008. PLB $26.50.
Gr 7 Up– Meditation is devoted to a specific wellness practice while its companion titles address mental-health issues. They cover basics such as definitions and signs and symptoms, balancing facts with case studies that will interest readers. Sidebars featuring “Myths & Facts” and “Ten Great Questions to Ask Your Therapist” will empower teens as they seek treatment. Numerous captioned color photos depict multiethnic models, dramatizing both negative behaviors, such as angry outbursts, and coping strategies, such as journaling or attending group therapy. These slim volumes are meaty enough to be teen-worthy.
The Bottom Line
Don't judge the value of these titles by their narrow spines as all of these series cover an impressive amount of content. Though equal in length, “Teen Mental Health” is geared toward a slightly older audience than “Emotional Health Issues,” which contains more boxed information and graphics. “FAQ: Teen Life” gets high marks for exploring new territory in exercise addiction and eating disorders among high school athletes and will be a suitable replacement for older series on similar topics. “Essential Health” is likely to appeal to girls, who will be attracted by the cover designs and empathize with the emotionally charged personal accounts and follow-up advice that is more big sisterly than adult. Consider “Emotional Health Issues” for its polished format and thoughtful case studies and “Essential Health” for its intimacy and authentic language as first purchase choices.
