Tag Archives: Anxiety

Elem. – The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything

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Ahmed, Nadia. The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything. Beaming Books, 2024. 978-1-506-49511-8. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-1.

Finn is a young ghost living with his family. Everyone enjoys Halloween, except for Finn, who actually does not enjoy much. He is afraid of trees, the color orange, butterflies, and even flying. When Halloween arrives, his siblings go treat or treating, while Finn stays in the attic with his hands sweating and his stomach churning, unable to move. Usually, his brothers and sisters share their candy, but this year it was all eaten before they got home.  Finn is upset, but is determined not to miss out on his favorite chocolate bats next year. The young ghost decides to face his fears, but takes it one step at a time. On the first day, he holds a tree branch for a minute. Every day he increases the time until he actually hugs the tree. Finn then confronts his other worries using the same technique. This exposure therapy works, and Finn is soon flying. The young spirit has a setback when he flies into a kite and briefly regresses, but he gets back in the air in time to celebrate his first Halloween with his family. The author-illustrator uses black pen to create simplistic drawings of friendly appearing spirits. The ghosts have a shape like a Creamsicle, but with two sticks instead of one as legs.  

THOUGHTS: This debut picture book is not a typical Halloween story, but instead shows how to overcome one’s fears, gradually and step by step. Young children may be amused to hear about a ghost who is afraid and will enjoy the quirky images. A great read aloud and a worthwhile purchase for elementary libraries. Share this one with guidance counselors.

Picture Book

MG – Weirdo

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Weaver Jr., Tony.Weirdo. Illustrated by Jess Wibowo and Cin Wibowo. First Second, 2024, 978-1-250-77287-9. $14.99. 320 p. Grades 4-8

Tony Weaver, Jr. loves all things “nerdy”: comic books, anime, superheroes. But when he starts a new school and his classmates all call him a weirdo and bully him for his interests, he internally struggles with feeling like an outcast and not being accepted by his peers. After some racially charged incidents, his parents move him to a new school, and he works on accepting himself, finding his people, and pushing through the hardships of adolescence.

THOUGHTS: This graphic memoir was phenomenal. So many students will be able to connect and see themselves in Tony’s story. Many students, especially at the middle level, struggle with accepting who they are and feeling as though they do not fit in. This book really shows how it’s okay to not fit in. Actually, it’s awesome not to fit in but instead to stand out and be proud of who you are!

Graphic Memoir
Graphic Novel

As the new kid at school, eleven-year-old Tony struggles to find friends who share his passion for video games, comics, and superheroes. He faces constant bullying from his peers and even suspicions of cheating from his teachers. His challenges are compounded by the grief of losing his grandmother. After a suicide attempt, his parents realize Tony needs help. He transfers to a new school where he finds a supportive group of “weirdos” in the literature club who appreciate him for who he truly is. Tony also starts seeing a therapist who helps him understand that if he wants others to be there for him, he has to be there for others, too. As the literature club starts to pick up momentum, Tony and his new friends become their own group of superheroes, each with a power that is unique to them. Ida can turn anything into a news story. James has encyclopedic knowledge of history. Cornelius has superior acting skills. Tony doesn’t exactly know what his superpower is yet. But when the principal announces their school will be closed at the end of the year due to lack of funds, the literature club of superheroes must put their special skills to the test to save their school.

THOUGHTS: Author Tony Weaver’s autobiographical graphic novel deftly balances darker moments with hopeful ones, ultimately delivering a powerful message about the importance of seeking help, finding community, and embracing individuality. The topic of suicide is handled gently and appropriately given the age of the audience its meant for. Vibrant illustrations by Jes and Cin Wibowo enhance the story, effectively conveying Tony’s journey from isolation to self-discovery​. Fans of Jerry Craft and Rex Ogle will enjoy this book.

Autobiography
Graphic Nonfiction
Graphic Novel

YA – Everything We Never Had

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Ribay, Randy. Everything We Never Had. Kokila, 2024. 978-0-593-46141-9. $18.99. 288 p. Grades 8–12.

Randy Ribay’s most recent novel, weaves together an emotional story that spans four generations of Filipino American boys. Told through alternating times and perspectives spanning Philadelphia in 2020, Denver in 1983, Stockton in 1965, and Watsonville in 1930, readers see the violence and inequities that the Maghabol men have faced as well as seeing the familial relationships between the generations. 

THOUGHTS: This novel gives readers a look at some of the hardships and racial charged events that Filipino Americans have faced (and continue to face) throughout the years. It shows the intricacies of familial relationships and how they can be strained through the years, how different generations have different values. There is some mature language throughout the book.

Historical Fiction 

Grades 9-12.

Francisco, Emil, Chris, Enzo. Award-winning author Randy Ribay places his novel first at a migrant farm in California circa 1929 then 1960’s, then Colorado in the eighties, and finally in Philadelphia during the COVID pandemic. Flipping back and forth in the narrative, he traces a family history steeped in activism, alienation, and assimilation. Fifteen-year old Filipino immigrant, Francisco Maghabol, is starting to regret his decision to come to America to work as a migrant worker so he could help his family. This regret turns to determination to stay when the migrant workers face violent racism from white men in Watsonville. The reader learns that Francisco becomes a leader in the United Farm Workers movement. Emil, his son, resents his father’s dedication to other people over his own family. Emil’s curtailed childhood molds him into a person who rejects his Filipino heritage, and his father and impels him to choose a conservative, safe way of life. In Colorado, years later, Emil’s son, Chris is a star high-school football player, but Emil demands he quit the team because of some missed assignments. While researching his paper, Chris learns about the oppression of Filipino dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. This project sparks a desire to study his heritage; but when he tries to share this with his father, Emil will hear none of it. The schism grows between father and son. Conversely, Chris wants his son, Enzo, to feel comfortable speaking to him, to make his own choices, and to care about other people. When COVID strikes, Chris moves Lolo Emil from his assisted-living facility into his West Philadelphia home to keep him safe. Enzo, Chris’s son, suffers from anxiety, which COVID quarantine exacerbates. When Lolo Emil moves in, though, Enzo and Emil form a surprising yet fragile bond, despite Emil’s stoicism. Underlying this generational family story is the lesser-known story of the Filipino instigation of the United Farm Workers’ Union. While most readers are familiar with Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huertos and their work in organizing farm workers, many may not be aware that the Filipino farm workers started the movement. Everything We Never Had provides a raw look at the good and bad of sacrificing for a cause and the inconsistent legacy produced through different times, perspectives, and experiences.

THOUGHTS: This story provokes a lot of thought. On one level, this is a story of relationships. Each narrative can be examined, compared, and contrasted with the other to determine the psychological reasons for the characters’ discord. On another level, it is a story conveying Filipino history: immigration, farm workers’ organizing, Marcos’s dictatorship, United States government’s role in perpetuating racism and unfairness to the Filipino people. Discussions around activism, the necessity of it, and its toll on the activist as well as families can be interesting. The book does not resolve perfectly and readers may wish to speculate on the continuation of the protagonists’ relationships. There are a couple of instances of foul language. One of Chris’s best friends is in an undeveloped lesbian relationship that the author notes with Chris finding the two girls kissing. I could find no mention of Francisco Maghabol in Filipino Farm Worker history; he is a fictional character.

Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction

MG – Sink or Swim

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Agarwal, Veronica, and Durfey-LaVoie, Lee. Sink or Swim. Random House Graphic, 2024. 978-0-593-12551-9. $22.99. 311 p. Grades 4-8.

Ty is heading to Summer Camp after weeks of being distant with his friends and being forced to be out of the water due to his broken arm. But lately, Ty has not been feeling comfortable in his own skin, and he’s afraid of letting his friends and teammates down since he feels he is out of shape. With the help of a camp counselor and his friends, can Ty find the confidence in himself again and push the negative self-talk out of his head. 

THOUGHTS: This novel was so beautifully written and illustrated. The characters all are very relatable and it makes “tough” topics like anxiety, low self-esteem, and disordered eating approachable and relatable. While this is technically book 2 in the “Just Roll With It” Series, it is not 100% necessary to read Just Roll With It first. 

Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction 

Elem./MG – Crushed

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Conklin, Melanie. Crushed. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-0-316-50917-6. $16.99. 256 p. Grades 4-8

Sophie Valentine would rather be at home than in any social setting (school, the mall, etc.) especially since the COVID lockdown. After her friend Eve tried to harm herself and was out of school for an extended period of time, Sophie is so excited for her to finally be back at school with her. But things between Sophie and Eve just aren’t the same as they were before Eve’s extended absence. Eve starts ditching Sophie to hang out with other kids who Sophie feels are not a good influence causing her to worry more about her best friend. But when Sophie finds out that Eve is hiding something painful from Sophie about what really caused her to harm herself, Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her friend.

THOUGHTS: This novel is full of such great messages and will resonate with MANY middle level readers. The author tackles some tough topics such as anxiety, therapy, changing peer groups, and sexual harassment in a such an authentic and delicate manner. Highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle level readers!

Realistic Fiction 

MG – Camp Prodigy

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Palmer, Caroline. Camp Prodigy. Atheneum, 2024. 978-1-665-93038-3. 249 p. $22.99. Grades 5-8.

After going to an amazing concert, Tate Seong chooses to pursue playing the viola and becoming famous for it at that. But, Tate is not the best violist, and they are also lacking the confidence to come out and be their true self around classmates and family. Their parents sign them up for Camp Prodigy, where they meet Eli, the violist that inspired Tate to pursue learning how to play the Viola. While both are facing their own challenges, they learn to lean and confide in each other to get through the hardships that they are facing, like anxiety and choosing how and when to come out as non-binary.

THOUGHTS: This book is beautifully written and will make a great addition to middle level bookshelves. It is open and honest about topics such as anxiety and coming out as non–binary. It also does a phenomenal job of showing what acceptance looks like in social and familial groups.

Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction 

NOTE: Since both main characters in this book are non-binary, the pronouns used in this review will be they/them. After attending a concert, Tate Seong becomes enthralled with the viola. On their way to the bathroom during intermission, they get lost backstage and hear prodigy Eli Violet playing beautifully in a practice room. Unfortunately, a bout of stage fright prevents Eli from actually playing their solo in the concert. But Tate knows how wonderfully Eli plays, and it inspires them to take up the viola. Frustrated by the lack of progress Tate is making in their school orchestra, Tate decides to spend a month of summer at Camp Prodigy, an orchestra camp for students at all skill levels. Unbelievably, they meet and befriend Eli, who also is a camper there. Eli has been hiding their skills since that disastrous concert, but since Tate knows how talented they are, Eli agrees to help them by tutoring Tate one-on-one on the viola. Each week at camp, the musicians audition to find out their chair ranking. Eli, who should be first, finds that they are in the middle of the pack, their skills weakened by the lack of practicing since the concert. Tate starts out in last place but quickly moves up thanks to Eli’s help. However, as Tate becomes better at the viola, they start to feel more pressure to be the best, a feeling with which Eli is very familiar. Together, Eli and Tate have to figure out how to balance their health and well-being while also trying their best at a hobby they love.

THOUGHTS: Palmer’s book is dedicated to kids under pressure, reminding them to not be so hard on themselves. Middle schoolers, especially those who feel pressure to be the best, will relate to Eli and Tate. Both characters are non-binary, with Tate coming out to their loving, supportive family as their confidence grows throughout the book. The illustrations are bright and humorous, and the back of the book includes the author’s previous sketches and explanations for how she developed each character’s personality. This is a must-have for middle school libraries.

Graphic Novel

MG/YA – Louder Than Hunger

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Schu, John. Louder Than Hunger. Candlewick Press, 2024.  978-1-536-22909-7. $16.97. 528 p. Grades 5-9.

John Schu tells the fictional story of Jake, a middle school student who is very self-conscious of his appearance. He tries to control his feelings about his body by controlling his eating. But Jake spirals and continues to force himself not to eat, until he becomes critically malnourished. Schu shows readers Jake’s experience in battling anorexia nervosa, OCD, anxiety, clinical depression,  and being admitted to residential treatment as well as out-patient treatment. This is an authentic novel about not only mental illness and the battles that those with them face, but the hope and power that those who push through the darkness experience.

THOUGHTS: This book belongs in every single middle school, high school, and public library. It is an authentic look at anorexia nervosa, anxiety, depression and OCD and will surely help many teens feel seen. While this book discusses some tough topics, it is written in such a heartfelt and genuine way that teens will undoubtedly enjoy it.

Realistic Fiction 

Louder Than Hunger is a novel in verse told by main character Jake who is struggling through lots of things in his life. His parents always are fighting, his school life is frustrating him, and his favorite person in the world, his grandmother, seems tired all the time. All of this makes Jake want to just disappear, especially when he has a Voice in his head that sometimes agrees with that. There are times that Jake is able to control that Voice, but other times it overwhelms him and he gives in. It can be so loud it drowns out everything around him. It even drowns out the sound his stomach makes because he is so hungry.

THOUGHTS: This was really hard to read at times. Jake’s story is painfully hard to read, so definitely know the triggers before recommending this book or giving it to a reader. However, it is beautifully written, and the author’s note made me tear up when I read it. 

Realistic
Novel in Verse

Schu, John. Louder Than Hunger. Candlewick Press, 2024. 978-1-536-22909-7. 516 p. $18.99. Grades 6-12.

13-year-old Jake Stacey finds joy in rollerblading, theater, and spending time with his grandmother. But the transition from elementary to middle school has been very difficult for him. Suddenly, he becomes the weird kid, the one that everyone picks on. As the bullying becomes worse, Jake attempts to take up less space, hoping that will make him invisible to his bullies. An internal VOICE takes over Jake’s thoughts, encouraging him to restrict his eating or no one will ever love him. His eating disorder combined with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder lands him in Whispering Pines, a residential treatment facility, where the VOICE fuels his disorder even more. He refuses to participate in treatments, wishing he could be with his grandmother driving around in her red car and singing showtunes instead. His doctors warn him he may end up with a feeding tube if he doesn’t start eating. His grandmother begs him to “take care of her boy.” Jake wants to, but the VOICE is in complete control. When his grandmother ends up in the hospital with pancreatic cancer, Jake decides he must quiet the VOICE, embrace self-acceptance, and recognize the power of love and support in healing.

THOUGHTS: Inspired by Schu’s personal experiences, this novel offers an authentic and deeply moving portrayal of a young person’s path to recovery. The author incorporates varied fonts, text sizes, and shapes to enhance the depth and meaning of the verse poetry, bringing Jake’s story to life with visual impact. The back of the book includes an author’s note and resources for readers who may be struggling with depression, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is a valuable addition to middle grade and young adult collections, shedding light on the reality that eating disorders affect boys as well as girls.

Novel in Verse

YA – Gone Wolf

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McBride, Amber. Gone Wolf. Fiewel and Friends, 2023. 978-1-250-85049-2. 348 p. $17.99. Grades 6-10.

Inmate Eleven has never seen the sun. She is a Blue living in post-pandemic 2111. She is held alongside her wolf-dog, Ira, in a small room within the tall walls of Elite, the capital of Bible Boot—a future, isolationist portion of the United States post-Second Civil War. Inmate Eleven is given tests and bloodwork with frequency. She has been told through a series of Bible Boot-issued flashcards that Blues are racially inferior, hate is illegal, and Clones are irrefutably kind. Larkin, a white Clone, begins to meet with Inmate Eleven, and Inmate Eleven feels empowered to choose a new name for herself: Imogen. Unfortunately, Larkin’s father also happens to be the powerful, racist leader of Elite. Soon, Larkin and Imogen realize they must escape the walls of Elite where slavery has been fully re-instituted, and both Black and Blue people are enduring torturous treatment. But…who is Imogen, really, and what year is it…truly? Imogen is living two disjointed realities, and she’s fighting to go wolf in both.

THOUGHTS: Many aspects of this book are heartbreaking. The way McBride weaves this story together is poignant and unique. Without giving too many spoilers, this is a book that brings to light concepts of generational and racial trauma in the United States. The book’s underlying commentary regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, racial violence, and political polarization will also be highly relatable to middle school students. Big twists and turns, compounded by sad events, caused myself as reader to question where the story was going at first, but not in a negative way. Then, pieces clicked masterfully into place. Because the story is told from a first person limited perspective, McBride uses ends of each chapter to offer clarifying bits of information that will help all readers access the underlying themes and nuance of the story. The powerful messaging of Black resilience and a new lens of trauma will stick with readers for a long time. As an adult reader, I found myself thinking of Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison’s stories. An essential addition to middle school and even high school fiction collections.

Science Fiction

MG – The Storyteller

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Hobson, Brandon. The Storyteller. Scholastic, 2023. 978-1-338-79726-8 224 p. $17.99. Grades 4-6. 

Sixth-grader Ziggy Echota is diagnosed with anxiety, likely stemming from his Cherokee mother’s disappearance ten years ago when Ziggy was just a baby. Despite efforts to locate his mother, his family has no leads, and Ziggy’s pretty sure his dad gave up hope when the police did. Ziggy’s grandmother and older sister Moon have shared with him stories of the Nunnehi, wise storytelling spirits who protect Cherokees. Ziggy asks an acquaintance Alice for help in searching the desert for Nunnehi caves, in hopes of finding answers to his mother’s disappearance. Soon Ziggy, Alice, and Moon have begun their nighttime journey, and their encounters range from a coyote and a buzzard to a Shakespearean actor and a fortune teller. In each chapter they meet a different spirit, with Ziggy learning something from each of their encounters, which he logs diligently in each chapter. By the end, he doesn’t have clear answers, but he has worked through some of his grief and finds he has community and strength to go on.

Realistic Fiction
Fantasy (Magical Realism)

THOUGHTS: This story is a helpful way to showcase realistic Cherokee beliefs–and realistic disappearances of Native American women.

YA – Mental Health Crisis (Series NF)

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Mental Health Crisis. Reference Point Press, 2023. 64 p. $33.05 ea. $132.20 Set of 4. Grades 7-12. 

Castillo, Kristina C. Anxiety and Depression on the Rise. 978-1-678-20274-3. 274-6.
Mooney, Carla. Drug Overdoses on the Rise. 978-1-678-20276-7. 276-2.
Nardo, Don. Eating Disorders on the Rise. 978-1-678-20278-1. 278-1.
Steffens, Bradley. Teen Suicide on the Rise. 978-1-678-20280-4. 280-4.

Note: This review is for the titles Eating Disorders and Teen Suicide. This series seeks to shed light on how mental health issues among teens have increased since the pandemic and relate ways to help teenagers facing these issues. Eating Disorders on the Rise first identifies ‘the big three’ eating disorders as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. It also describes less common disorders such as orthorexia (‘clean’ or ‘pure’ eating) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. A chapter is devoted to how the social isolation of the pandemic led to increased levels of eating disorders and clarifies problems faced by men and the LGBTQ+ community. Distorted body image, trying to excel in sports, and social media pressure are factors known to harm teenagers. Treatment aids offered include hospitalization and residential care, medication, counseling, and various types of therapy, and all are respected, since eating disorders often persist for a lifetime. Teen Suicide on the Rise shines a spotlight on social media as a risk factor for teen girls, the impact of the pandemic on teen mental health, and LGBTQ+ teens at risk. A chapter is devoted to the impact of suicide on survivors (grief, regret, guilt, and suicidal tendencies) and a final chapter offers treatment options. The stories shared are compelling and the advice to all who work with youth is “talk about suicide and let young people know you care.” A new tool, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) aka the Columbia Protocol, is under study and appears to identify needs well. Various apps are mentioned as useful for teens, such as the Virtual Hope Box, notOK, and BetterHelp.

THOUGHTS: The books in this series will help teens to understand these issues and gain help for themselves or friends when needed.

155.4 Child Psychology
362.29 Substance Abuse
616.85 Mental Disorders
362.28 Suicide