Childhood Bibliotherapy Database

There's No Such Thing As A Dragon

2009-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Author: Jack Kent

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Addressing and facing problems

Year of Publication: 1975 (original), lots of reprints Sept 2009, most recent.

Publisher & Location: Dragonfly Books

ISBN-10: 0375851372

Target Age Level: Age 6 - adult.

# of Pages:

Quality of Illustrations: Good

Brief Summary: A little boy wakes up to find a dragon in his room. He tells his mom who informs him that there is no such thing as a dragon. The dragon continues to grow as it is ignored and eventually becomes as big as the house. Once acknowledged, the dragon shrinks to a manageable size.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: It is a kids book originally, but I use it with adolescents. I use it as an introduction to therapy a lot as a introduction for facing and dealing with problems.

Sunny: the death of a pet

2009-06-18T16:41:00.002-07:00

Author: Judith E. Greenberg and Helen H. Carey

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Death

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Franklin Watts New York

ISBN#:0-531-10102-9

Target Age Level: Elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Old Black and white pictures

Brief Summary:

Bill is scared when his dog Sunny gets sick, but after her death a new puppy helps him stop grieving.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

The book is not adequate for a school curriculum on death. It does not enlighten children about the joys of pets, nor does it help to deal with death. It just notes death as a sad event. The book is simplistic, cool, and poorly written, reading like a "Dick and Jane" reader. It just basicly tells kids to move on and get a new dog.

Activity:

Have kids draw picture of their favorite things they liked to do with their pets.

2009-06-18T16:41:00.001-07:00

On Divorce: An Open Family Book for Parents and Children Together

2009-06-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Author: Sara Bonnett Stein
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Divorce
Year of Publication: 1979
Publisher & Location: Walker and Company New york
ISBN#:0-8027-7226-9
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 47
Quality of Illustrations: Old Photographs
Brief Summary: This book has two stories in one. a more adult one for parent to read about what they should tell their children and a younger geared story that explains how the children feel.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This is very old and out of print, alot of the information is still relevent however and can be of some use even today.

Activity:
This book is designed to be read with the parent not a teacher so I might have the child read this book with the parents at home and then we could do a reaction session at the school to see how they felt.

Twister

2009-06-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Author:Darleen Bailey Beard

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Natural Disaster

Year of Publication:1999

Publisher & Location: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd. : CAN

ISBN#:0-374-37977-7

Target Age Level: elementary

# of Pages:32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: blury

Brief Summary:

A rural family and its neighbor face potential disaster as a tornado heads for their homes in this suspenseful though ultimately reassuring picture book. Natt and Lucille enjoy a sultry summer day eating Popsicles and pretending to be royalty. As they dart through the yard, a serious storm kicks up and brings them indoors. When Mama spots an ominous funnel cloud in the distance, she sends Natt and Lucille racing out toward the storm cellar built into the yard while she heads next door to help Mr. Lyle take shelter. During the next several minutes, Natt and Lucille hunker alone in the dark, waiting for the storm to pass and afraid for Mama and Mr. Lyle's safety. Happily, the twister moves on, having caused minimal damage, and Natt and Lucille are quickly reunited with Mama.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Beard gets all the details right: the sky turning the color of Mama's guacamole, an ominous silence followed by the "monstrous howling" of wind. The kids are really apealing and the book is a realistic look at what a tornado is like.

Activity:

I might read this book after a tornado drill to give the children a real sense of what they are prepairing for.

No-no the little seal

2009-06-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

Author: Sherri Patterson

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Sexual Abuse

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Random House: New York

ISBN#: 978-0394880549

Target Age Level: preschool- elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: very realistic looking seals, in new editions the seals are more cartoon looking

Brief Summary: A young seal is upset when his uncle starts touching his body in private places, until he finds the courage to tell Wise Whale.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

It's a little wierd to hear about seals molesting eachother but the book has some good advice, asuming the child has a wise whale in their life.

Activity:

Stop the book after the sad song and ask the child what they would do and then read on to see how that compares to what No-No did.

Twelve is too old

2009-06-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Author: Peggy Mann

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed:Problems with parents and family

Year of Publication: 1980

Publisher & Location: Doubleday & company, inc: NY

ISBN#: 978-0385050999

Target Age Level: middle school

# of Pages:140 pages

Quality of Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary: Eleven-year-old Jody, living with her divorced mother and pot-smoking older sister, dreads her twelfth birthday and the adolescent problems it may bring. It tells about how she deals with her problems from a first person bases

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Deals with some adult issues but in a good way.

Activity:

Have a child keep a journal and compair their experiances with Jody's.

The Leprechaun in the Basement

2009-06-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

Author:Kathy Tucker

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Financial Heard times

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Albert Whitman and Co, Ill.

ISBN#:0-8075-4450-7

Target Age Level: lower elementary

# of Pages:32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: pretty good

Brief Summary: It's St. Patrick's Day, but Michael McKeever has run out of luck. His dad has lost his job, the hot water heater is broken, and now his baseball shoes are falling apart. He and his dad never go out and "throw a few" like they used to, and his mom says they have to learn to Make Do. So when he accidentally discovers a leprechaun in the basement, Michael is sure his luck has changed. Unfortunately, he didn't count on this leprechaun being quite so cantankerous. Any child who has felt the pinch of hard times will relate to Michael's anxiety.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

This book shows that there are not always magic answers to our problems. but sometimes it help to know the right people. The leprechaun doesn't just give the family money he helps by making new shoes, so it's not the magical solution you might think.

Activity: have the child think of friends or other ways they know, like the leprichaun, that can help them through hard times without giving them money or magic

Looking For Normal

2009-06-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Author:Betty Monthei

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Suicide, Death of Parents, Family Relationship Problems, Grief
Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Harper Collins

ISBN#:0060725052
978-0060725051

Target Age Level: Mature Teen

# of Pages: 192

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary:

After being called out of class by the principal, 12-year-old Annie is told that her father shot and killed her mother and then turned the gun on himself. Annie and younger brother Ted experience all the stages of grief (shock, denial, sadness, acceptance) as they transition to living with grandparents who hated their father. Rather than pulling together, the family's healing is slowed by Grandma's drinking and misplaced anger, Grandpa's increasing absences from the home, and the children's disenfranchisement from their friends. Only after Grandma spirals out of control does the family finally begin to deal with its problems.

This book deals with some serious issues.

Sometimes I'm Bombaloo

2009-06-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

Author: RAchel Vail

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Anger Controll

Year of Publication: 2002

Publisher & Location: Scholastic Inc., Singapore

ISBN#: 0439669413
978-0439669412

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Good

Brief Summary:
katie talks about how she's generally a good person: "...I'm a really good kid. I smile a lot because usually I'm happy, and I give excellent hugs."
"But," she explains, "sometimes I'm Bombaloo." She shows her teeth, makes fierce noises and scrunches up her face." I use my feet and my fists instead of my words." After a time-out, she'll calm down and apologize to her brother. The book doesn't minimize the strength of the feelings: "While she is Bombaloo, she is not sorry, she is angry and hates everything and everyone. After Katie calms down she is sorry and a little frightened. She says that it is scary being Bombaloo. Her mother hugs her and helps her to clean up the mess.

The book neither excuses nor judges Bombaloo-style anger. Instead, it shows the feelings that occur before, during, and after it, and offers parents and kids the hope of resolution.

Activity: The child could list what makes them angry and then identify ways they could calm down.

I Had A Friend Named Peter

2009-06-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Author:Janice Cohn, D.S.W.

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Death of a Friend

Year of Publication: 1987

Publisher & Location: William Morrow and Company, USA

ISBN#: 0688066852

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Very Good

Brief Summary: Betsy learns of her friend Peter sudden death from her parents. Her parents help her to cope with the news in a loving, gentle way. Betsy is confused at first because she does not understand what it means to die. Her parents explain to her the finality of death. She has a lot of questions surrounding death, the funeral, and the casket that her parents answer. Betsy decides to a picture to put in her room as a reminder of Peter.

At the beginning of this book, the author discusses guidelines from experts that parents and teacher may have about talking to children about death. It is a great story to help children cope with a difficult time.

Activity: This book answers a lot of questions a child may have about death. It would be a great tool to discuss with a child any fears they may have and explore ways they could remember someone who has passed away.

A Book of Friends

2009-06-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Author:Dave Ross

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends

Year of Publication:1999

Publisher & Location:Harper Collins,

ISBN#: 0060283629

Target Age Level: Beginning

# of Pages: 40

Quality of Illustrations: Great

Brief Summary: This picture book discusses the many different kinds of friends someone can have pen pals, best friends, imaginary friends, family, new friends and old friends, etc. The author gives suggestions on how to be a good friend that could be very useful to children who are learning the basics of interaction in groups.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The illustrations are bright and fun. Young children will enjoy reading this book.

Activity: Children could discuss ways they have been a friend to someone. They also could set a goal of one way they could make a new friend.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

2009-06-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: family financial difficulties

Year of Publication: 1973

Publisher & Location: Knopf, New York

ISBN#: 0394810112

Target Age Level: lower and upper elementary school

# of Pages: 161

Quality of Illustrations: There are fun black and white sketches drawn throughout the book.

Brief Summary:
For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public – well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself. For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true because of his families desperate financial situation. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple–Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights – even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper! The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This is a favorite because of all of the fun fantasy elements. You can't help but love Charlie because of (and not in spite of) his humble circumstances and the genuine goodness of his family.

Activity: Identify good qualities of the main character that have nothing to do with his financial situation. Then talk about developing this qualities in ourselves and finding similar qualities in those around us (regardless of their socioeconomic status).

2009-06-18T12:39:00.000-07:00

Tornadoes

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Author: Seymour Simon

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: natural disasters

Year of Publication: 2001

Publisher & Location: HarperTrophy, New York

ISBN#: 9780064437912

Target Age Level: lower and upper elementary school

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Clear, concise text and dramatic, full-color photographs this book shows tornadoes.

Brief Summary:
Simon investigates one of nature's most powerful and dramatic phenomena, from its origins to what you can do to detect and stay safe during a tornado.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I've found children always have a lot of questions about natural disasters. Simon does an excellent job in defining and showing what a tornado looks like. Knowledge is power and the more students know about a tornado the less they will be afraid of them.

Activity: Make a KWL Chart about tornado before reading and follow through after reading the book (K-what they knew before reading the book W-what they want to learn about tornadoes L-what they learned). Point out that if students want to learn about natural disasters(or they're worried about a natural disaster) they can read about it and know more about it.

Elaine's Circle

2009-06-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Elaine's Circle

Author: Bob A. Katz

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: serious/chronic/acute illness, death, and loss.

Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Marlowe & Co., New York

ISBN#: 1569243840 9781569243848

Target Age Level: High School and above

# of Pages: 219

Quality of Illustrations: The cover page is the only illustration and it is warm and inviting.

Brief Summary:
Elaine Moore, a veteran teacher in Eagle River, Alaska, is a firm believer that the classroom is, first and foremost, a community—and that learning is best when shared in a circle of peers. When one of her students, ten-year-old Seamus Farrell, is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, Elaine, her students, and her innovative methods of teaching are put to their most severe test. Elaine’s Circle is the true account of this small-town teacher who led her fourth-grade students through the biggest challenge of their young lives. This book provides a heart-wrenching, intimate look at the utterly remarkable achievements of this dedicated teacher, a supportive community, and a group of children who rallied to make Seamus Farrell’s impending death an unforgettable lesson about life.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This is a personal favorite and should be read with a box of tissues. I would recommend this to students and teachers alike. It's inspiring what a teacher and students can do when one of their own is suffering from a terminal illness-love it!

Activity: In the book students make a quilt for Seamus. The class could make a quilt representing all of their unique contributions to the classroom.

2009-06-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Hooway for Wodney Wat

Author: Helen Lester

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: anger and conflict resolution

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Walter Lorraine Books, Boston

ISBN#:0395923921

Target Age Level: Lower and Upper Elementary School

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Lynn M. Munsinger has done colorful and funny illustrations of this little 'wat'.

Brief Summary:

Poor Rodney Rat can't pronounce his R's and the other rodents tease him mercilessly. But when Camilla Capybara joins Rodney's class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid. It seems she really is bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the rest of them. Until our unwitting hero, Wodney Wat, catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says.

He surprises himself and his classmates by single-handedly saving the whole class from the big bad bully. Children will delight as shy Rodney Rat triumphs over all and his tiny voice decides the day, R's or no R's.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like that Wodney confidently does the right thing in this story. It shows that you can be brave no matter the size and stick up for what is right in a conflict situation.

Activity: Verbalize a complaint and write it out in a sentence. Be a part of the solution and not the problem when verbalizing the problem and giving a solution.

2009-06-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bullyville

Author: Francine Prose

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: bullying

Year of Publication: 2008

Publisher & Location: Thorndike Press, New Jersey

ISBN#:9781410406361

Target Age Level: High School

# of Pages: 227

Quality of Illustrations: The cover has an illustration that describes the books content.

Brief Summary:

After eighth grader Bart Rangely is granted a "mercy" scholarship to an elite private school after his father is killed in the North Tower on 9/11, doors should have opened. Instead, he is terrorized and bullied by his own mentor. So begins the worst year of his life.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book highlights many traumas in this young boys life they include parent's separation/divorce, 9/11 death of his father, private school, bullies.

Activity: How to handle a bully. Make a list as a class of better alternatives than fighting and then role play these alternatives.

All Families are Different

2009-06-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

All Families are Different

Author: Gordon, Sol

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: disrespect and insensitivity for individual and group differences

Year of Publication: 2000

Publisher & Location: Prometheus Books, New York

ISBN#:9781573927659

Target Age Level: Lower and Upper Elementary School

# of Pages: 50

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations show an assortment of famlies of different cultures and races.

Brief Summary:

Is there such a thing as a "normal" family? Of course the answer to this question is no, but children are often led to believe otherwise. Young people need to understand and appreciate that when it comes to families, they are all different! Dr. Sol Gordon has written an uplifting book for young people age four and older who are curious about just what it means to be part of a family. While the many illustrations show a variety of family situations to stimulate awareness and acceptance of difference, the text places importance on children knowing they are loved by their family members — whoever they may be.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Sol Gordon PhD. is a clinical psychologist with a special interest in children's education. She has written several other books on similar issues they include: Did the Sun Shine Before You Were Born?; Girls Are Girls, and Boys Are Boys; A Better Safe Than Sorry Book.

Activity: Read the book as a class and then have each student draw a picture of their family. A group discussion could then be led about similarities and differences of the families within the classroom.

Running for My Life

2009-06-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Running for My Life

Author: Ann Gonzalez

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: mental illness of a parent/guardian

Year of Publication: 2009

Publisher & Location: WestSide books

ISBN#:978-1-934813-00-3

Target Age Level: High School

# of Pages: 210

Quality of Illustrations: The cover illustration is done by Michael Morgenstern and it is a catching title page.

Brief Summary:

Running for My Life is the powerful story of Andrea McKane, a fourteen-year-old who struggles to cope with her mother's schizophrenia. She must face the heartbreaking fact that her mother, with whom she once laughed and played, has vanished into her disease, possibly forever. The book accurately portrays the difficulties a teen faces when dealing with the illness, the abuse and absence of a psychotic parent. Running for My Life shows the effects of mental illness on a family, and a teenager's attempts to manage the changes that have shaken her life. With courage, strength, and the loving support of her friends, her father, and her therapist, Andrea finds salvation through running. Running for My Life represents a breakthrough effort in portraying the challenges children deal with when they have to protect themselves from a guardian.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book addresses an older audience. I would want to read it with a student and not just give it to them and wish them good luck.

Activity: Highlight this students support system. Focus a lot on the characters by doing a character diagram or a character book report. How is the main character stronger for having gone through this experience.

2009-06-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

I Never Knew Your Name

Author: Sherry Garland

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: suicide

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, New York

ISBN#:0395696860

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations are a soft wash color and leave the boy who has committed suicide faceless.

Brief Summary:
An observer laments the lonely life of a teenage suicide whose neighbors didn't even know his name. The author has the boy follow the nameless teenager through many different activities and expresses regret for not having invited him to play or joining any of the activities that he saw the boy play.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I feel the book does a good job addressing the feelings that many students may have when a student in their school commits suicide and they do not really know the student but still have feelings about the event.

Activity: Students may write a letter to a student who has committed a suicide of things they may have wanted to say to that student.

Riding the Bus with My Sister

2009-06-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Author: Rachel Simon

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Mental Illness, Metal Retardation, Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities, Sisters, Family Relationships,

Year of Publication: 2003

Publisher & Location: Penguin Group, Inc., New York, NY

ISBN#:

ISBN13: 9780452284555
ISBN: 0452284554
BINC: 7215469

Target Age Level: Young Adult and Adult

# of Pages: 296

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: This book follows the author's journey to better understand her sister in adult hood. Her sister, Beth, is in her thirties and has mental retardation. She spends her days riding buses. She challenged Rachel to ride the buses with her for one year. Rachel accepted the challenge, and spent every few weekends for the next year, riding the buses with Beth. Along the way, Rachel explores the things she loves and dislikes about her sister and experiences many flashbacks about what life was like growing up with a sister with a disability.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I felt that this book did a really good job portraying all of the mixed emotions and thoughts of a sibling of an individual with a disability, who is an oft-forgotten group in literature.

Activity: While reading this book with/to a group of teenagers or adults with disabilities, you could have them plan out a bus trip and list all of the things they will need in order to find the right buses to take them to the right spots.
While reading this book with/to a group of teenage or adult siblings of individuals with disabilities, you could challenge them to increase the amount of time they spend with their sibling with a disability and document the time in a journal or diary.

Please Tell!: A child's story about sexual abuse

2009-06-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Please Tell!: A Child's Story About Sexual Abuse

Author: Jessie Ottenweller

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: sexual abuse

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Hazelden Publishing, Minnesota

ISBN#: 0894867768

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 30

Quality of Illustrations: Illustrations are beautiful and illustrated by this young author.

Brief Summary:
Written and illustrated by a young girl who was sexually molested by a family member, this book reaches out to other children in a way that no adult can. Jessie's words carry the message, "It's o.k. to tell; help can come when you tell."

Jessie's story adds a sense of hope for what should be, and the knowledge that the child protection system can work for children. Simple, direct, and from the heart, Jessie gives children the permission and the courage to deal with sexual abuse.

"Please Tell! is a beautifully simple book with a profoundly important message for children who have been sexually abused: the abuse wasn't their fault. Written and illustrated by Jessie, herself a pre-teen survivor of sexual abuse, it tells kids just what to do to get the help they need."

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book can be used in individual counseling with a student who has been sexually abused because it is in the words of a victim and survivor. There is a lot of hope and advice in the book.

Activity: A sexual abuse survivor may write their own book. They may write advice they would give to someone who is going through what they've gone through.

Under Whose Influence

2009-06-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Under Whose Influence

Author: Judy Laik

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: parent/children relationship problems

Year of Publication: 1993

Publisher & Location: Parenting Press

ISBN#: 0943990971

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 64

Quality of Illustrations: Illustrations are age appropriate.

Brief Summary:

"The Decision is Yours" series of books addresses common issues faced by elementary and middle school children. These books are interactive, and the reader is given a chance to make a decision that will affect the outcome of the story. After making their choice, readers follow the story to its conclusion, based on their decision. In Under Whose Influence? a young girl’s friends get into their parents’ liquor cabinet and begin drinking, placing the girl in the awkward position of having to make difficult choices.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: I like that this book focuses on choices and decisions in relating with parents. Parents often talk about consequences and so this book would lend to a great discussion about choices and consequences.

Activity: Make your own book about yourself with a choose your own ending option. This would look different for younger grades (one specific event and decision) and older grades (a time line activity showing long term consequences).

Do You Want To Be My Friend?

2009-06-18T10:28:00.001-07:00

Author: Eric Carle

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends

Year of Publication: 1988

Publisher & Location: Scholastic (in cooperation with Harper Collins Publishers), New York, NY

ISBN#:

ISBN13: 9780399215988
ISBN: 0399215980
BINC: 338420

Target Age Level: Pre-K & Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 28

Quality of Illustrations: Classic Eric Carle

Brief Summary: A little mouse goes from animal to animal, trying to find a friend, until he at last finds one. Aside from "Do you want to be my friend?" at the beginning and "yes" at the end, this story contains no words. Rather, it is left up to the reader to interpret the story based on the pictures.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The wordless format makes this book ideal for bibliotherapy. As the therapist and child progress through the pages, the child will be able to reveal his/her thoughts/feelings by commenting on the actions, thoughts, and feelings of the mouse and the animals he/she encounters.

Activity: "Reading" this book can be an activity in and of itself, as the content of the story can change every time you read it. As you go through the book, consider the child you are working with and ask questions accordingly, such as "what does _______ tell the mouse?" or "how does that make the mouse feel?" or "what does the mouse think of that?" or "what does the mouse say to _______?" Also, if you have more than one child that you are working with, you can act out the story with costumes and/or puppets.

Tobin Learns To Make Friends

2009-06-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Diane Murrell

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Making Friends, keeping friends, Friendship, Manners, Rules

Year of Publication: 2001

Publisher & Location: Future Horizons, Inc., Arlington, TX

ISBN#s:

ISBN13: 9781885477798
ISBN: 1885477791
BINC: 7104044

Target Age Level: Pre-K and Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 31

Quality of Illustrations: rough, child-like drawings and coloring (basic)

Brief Summary: Tobin is a lonely red engine who cannot seem to make friends. But with the help of his buddies, he discovers that there are little things he can do to be nicer to those around him. Tobin soon finds that he is surrounded by friends who truly enjoy working and playing with him. Parents and teachers can use this book to teach friendship skills to children who find social interactions challenging. Important social lessons include: sharing, being polite, taking turns, talking quietly, the importance of personal space, and more! NOTE: This book was written by a mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome to teach him how to make and keep friends, building upon his interest in trains.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book is fairly straight-forward and has titles, like "Friendship" and "Borrowing," etc. every few pages so that the user can turn to the section that is most helpful for the child at the time. It can be read as an entire story, or used in sections to teach social skills. This book "says it like it is" when it comes to friendship rules, adopting a structure often used with the Power Cards strategy developed for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Because of this, some of the friendship rules are listed in a positive light (like "take turns") while others are stated negatively (like "don't interrupt"), which might turn some people away from this book. The structure is very much a direct teaching format, presumably to help the author's son, the inspiration for the book, learn the skills well.

Activity: Write down each of the things Tobin does (good choices and bad choices alike) on pieces of paper, have the kids each choose one (one at a time), and state if that is something that will help them make friends or if it is something that will cause them to lose friends.

Coping with Anger

2009-06-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

Author: Pam Scheunemann
Year of Publication: 2004
ISBN # 1-59197-559X
Age Level: K-2 Pre-School
# of pages: 23 p.
Quality of illustrations: Full color photographs.

Brief Summary: Quote:

"These book offer brief explanations of what each topic means and then provide ideas about how to cope with various situations. They end with the same question: "What can you do to keep the peace?" Ideas for anger management include talking to someone, taking a time out, exercise, and writing or drawing your thoughts. Some suggestions for dealing with bullies include talking with an adult, staying away from aggressors, and finding new friends. The third volume explains that different families celebrate different holidays or speak different languages. It encourages readers to learn about other ways of life through their friends. Large, full-color photographs of children of various ethnic backgrounds clearly show their feelings through facial expressions. Functional books for use in classroom discussion or with counselors.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX"

Activities: Charades.

KNOW ABOUT ABUSE

2009-06-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Author: Margaret O. Hyde
Year of Publication: 1992
ISBN # 0-8027-8177-2
Age Level: 9-12 Upper Elementary
# of pages: 93 pg.
Quality of illustrations: Blank & White pictures
Brief Summary: Using examples from recent news accounts, Hyde discusses the causes and effects of various abuses -- prenatal drug abuse; sexual, physical, and emotional abuses -- practiced against children, including how the growth of family homelessness has led to increased abuse. She also provides helpful advice to children on how to deal with abuse and how to help friends. Bib., glos., ind. The case studies are telling, and the illustrations (including some reproductions of drawings by abused youngsters), though few, carry impact. In addition to a simple glossary of terms and suggestions for further reading, there is a list of hotlines and community services. (Reviewed Nov. 1, 1992) by Gary Young.
Activity: Group discussion with drawings.
Type of emotional/crisis issued addressed: Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, their effects and how to prevent maltreatment

Gretchen Groundhog, it's your day!

2009-06-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Anxiety in children

Authors: Abby Levine

Year of Publication: 1998

ISBN # 0807530581

Age Level: 3-5 years old

Quality of illustrations: The watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations--full-page, half-page, and cameos--have lots of child appeal.

Brief Summary
An interesting introduction to Groundhog Day prefaces the story. Then it's all about Gretchen Groundhog, who comes from a long line of groundhog prognosticators but is too shy to go out in front of the crowd and peer at her shadow. The one joke goes on a little too long, but things take a twist when Hester, the daughter of the town historian, comes with clippings that prove many of Gretchen's illustrious ancestors have been shy on their day of duty as well. Few things are available for Groundhog Day, so libraries may find this useful for the holiday story hour; they may also want it on hand when requests come in for books about shyness.

Activity: After reading out loud, children could draw pictures of his favorite pet in front of a crow. Is it shy?

Dinosaurs Divorce

2009-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dinosaur Divorce

Author: Marc Tolon Brown

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: divorce

Year of Publication: 1988

Publisher & Location: Little Brown and Company, Boston

ISBN#: 9780316109963

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: The illustrations in this book are of dinosaurs and are colorful and imaginative.

Brief Summary: Text and illustrations of dinosaur characters introduce aspects of divorce such as its causes and effects, living with a single parent, spending holidays in two separate households, and adjusting to a stepparent.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The different major sections of the book address these new situations one at a time. The author covers topics such as why parents divorce, ways that a child might feel about divorce and how the child can deal with those feelings, what happens after divorce, living with one parent, visiting a parent, having two houses, celebrating special occasions, telling friends about the divorce, meeting parents’ “new friends,” living with stepparents, and having stepbrothers or stepsisters.

Activity: Make a before and after chart of before the divorce and after the divorce. Students will then see the change that happens with a family that is going through a divorce.

Hurricane

2009-06-17T20:21:00.003-07:00

Author/authors: David Wiesner

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: hurricane, natural disasters

Year of publication: 2008

ISBN#: 978-0547064338

Publisher: Sandpiper

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: David, George, and their parents eat dinner by the fireplace as a hurricane rages outside. The boys wake up to find a big elm tree blown down and they use it in their imaginative play for many days. Workers eventually come to remove the tree, but the boys are excited when their dad tells them another storm is coming.

Activity: Talk about the family’s preparations for the hurricane and how it made them feel safe. Make a list together of what should go in a class first-aid kit and check to make sure the kit is full. Ask for parent donations of needed supplies.

Someone I Love Died by Suicide

2009-06-17T20:15:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Doreen Cammarata

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: suicide

Year of publication: 2001

ISBN#: 978-0970933294

Publisher: Grief Guidance, Inc.

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 34

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: This book is meant for adults to read to children who have known someone who died by suicide. The book discusses normal grieving symptoms and healthy ways of coping.

Activity: Have the student make a memory book of the person who died with pictures and stories.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2009-06-17T20:09:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Judith Viorst (Ray Cruz)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: anger, conflict resolution

Year of publication: 1987

Publisher: Aladdin

ISBN#: 978-0689711732

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Good; excellent character expressions

Brief summary: Alexander has a horrible beginning to his day, getting gum in his hair, tripping over his skateboard, and dropping his sweater in the sink. His day keeps getting worse and Alexander vows to move to Australia.

Activity: Write a class book about the worst day ever. Have each student write one page and illustrate it about the worst thing that has happened to them.

The Rat and the Tiger

2009-06-17T19:56:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Keiko Kasza

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Bullying

Year of publication: 2007

Publisher: Puffin

ISBN#: 978-0142409008

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Beautiful watercolor illustrations

Brief summary: Rat tells how he used to have problems with his best friend, Tiger. Tiger used to bully Rat, making him be the bad guy in their games and leaving him the small pieces of treats. When Tiger kicks over Rat’s castle made of blocks, Rat says that Tiger isn’t his friend.

Activity: Have a class discussion about how Rat and Tiger worked out their problems. Go over what to do when someone is bullying you or another student and do role plays.

Keeping Up With Roo

2009-06-17T19:45:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Sharlee Glenn (Dan Andreason)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Intellectual disability, respect for differences

Year of publication: 2004

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

ISBN#: 9780399234804

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: Gracie and her Aunt Roo, who has an intellectual disability, used to always play together. Then Gracie grows up, goes to school, and brings a new friend home to visit. Gracie is embarrassed by her aunt, but eventually introduces her aunt to her friend.

Activity: Make a class friendship chain. Each student can write a way to be a good friend to someone else. Staple the chains together and hang in the classroom. Read one each day.

Me, myself, and them

2009-06-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

Author: Kurt Snyder, Raquel E. Gur and Linda Wasmer Andrews

Issues addressed: Mental health, Schizophrenia

Year published:2007

Publisher: Oxford

ISBN#:0195311221

Age level: High school, to adult

# of pages:192

Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary:
During his second semester at college, Kurt Snyder became convinced that he was about to discover a fabulously important mathematical principle, spending hours lost in daydreams about numbers and symbols. In time, his thoughts took a darker turn, and he became preoccupied with the idea that cars were following him, or that strangers wanted to harm him. Kurt's mind had been hijacked by schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that typically strikes during the late teen or young adult years.

Opinion: a very adult book, maybe more appropriate for collage age but that's when schizophrenia manifests. It helps to see inside the mind of a schizophrenic.

Activity:

Compare the students symptoms with the authors through writing journals.

The Day Leo Said, "I Hate You!"

2009-06-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Author/authors: Robie Harris (Molly Bang)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Parent/child relationship, conflict resolution

Year of publication: 2008

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

ISBN#: 9780316065801

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 40

Quality of illustrations: Colorful, expressive

Brief summary: After Leo’s mother keeps telling him no to everything he wants to do and Leo is sent to his room, he yells to his mother that he hates her. The rest of book shows how Leo and his mom deal with his feelings and how Leo makes it better.

Activity: Make a class list of words and phrases that are hurtful and mean. Then cross these out and write phrases that make people feel happy.

The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends

2009-06-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Author:Stan and Jan Berenstain
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: making and keeping friends
Year of Publication: 1987
Publisher & Location:Random House New York
ISBN#: 0394873394

Target Age Level: 4-8
# of Pages:32 pages
Quality of Illustrations: it's beartastic
Brief Summary: The new cub in the neighborhood, Lizzy Bruin, is the same age as Sister Bear--and she's also just as bossy. After a fight threatens their budding friendship, both cubs learn that you can't always have your own way if you want to have friends.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This is a great kids book that helps kids look outside their own need.

Activity: Talk about what you look for in a friend, and then write a list of ways you can be a friend like you want.

The berenstain bears and the In-crowd

2009-06-17T19:10:00.002-07:00

Author:Stan and Jan Berenstain

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Group differences, peer pressure

Year of Publication: 1989

Publisher & Location:Random House New York

ISBN#: 0-394-83013x

Target Age Level: 4-8

# of Pages:32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: Good as B and B can Be

Brief Summary: Queenie McBear, the bossy new she-cub in town, tries to take over by putting other cubs down. But she's in for a lesson when Sister Bear decides not to give in to Queenie's peer pressure tactics.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

This is very kid friendly and has some good problem solving skills.

Activity: Talk about what it feels like to be left out, and then draw pictures of ways you can help others feel included.

The Girl with 500 Middle Names

2009-06-17T19:10:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Margaret Peterson Haddix (Janet Hamlin)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Family financial difficulties

Year of publication: 2001

Book title: The Girl with 500 Middle Names

ISBN#: 978-0689841361

Age level: Upper Elementary

# of pages: 96

Quality of illustrations: Black and white pencil; fair

Brief summary: After Janie’s father has a back injury and is unable to work, Janie’s mother knits personalized sweaters to make some extra money. Janie and her parents move into the suburbs where everyone dresses better than Janie. When the storeowner returns the sweaters, Janie decides to wear them to school, telling everyone they are her middle names.

Activity: Have a class discussion about what Janie did to make her family’s financial situation better. Have students share what they’ve done in their own lives to make the best of a hard situation. The class could also make a list of how to befriend someone new to moves in to school.

The Berenstain Bears and the Bully

2009-06-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Author: Jan and Stan Berenstain

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Bullying

Year of Publication: 1993

Publisher & Location: Random House Books for Young Readers

ISBN#:978-0679848059

Target Age Level: preschool, early elementary

# of Pages: 32 pages

Quality of Illustrations: Good as all BB books are

Brief Summary: When Sister Bear gets beaten up by Tuffy, the new cub in town, Brother huffs off to set this bully straight. But he's in for a surprise--Tuffy's a little girl, and Brother just can't bring himself to fight her.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

It uses Violence as a solution to bullying but also talks about reasons why children bully, putting the victim in the bullys shoes. It does end with a visit to the school psychologist which is realistic.

Activity: This would be a good book to start a discussion about what bullies are thinking and why they act the way they do.

Our Gracie Aunt

2009-06-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Author/authors: Jacqueline Woodson (Jon J. Muth)

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Neglect

Year of publication: 2002

Publisher: Hyperion Books

ISBN#: 978-0786806201

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Excellent

Brief summary: Beebee and her little brother Johnson are abandoned by their mother, sometimes for days at a time. A social worker comes to their house to check up on them and takes them to live with their aunt Gracie. Aunt Gracie is very welcoming and Beebee and Johnson come to love her. They later visit their mother in the hospital, who says Gracie will care for them until she can.

Activity: Have students draw pictures of Beebee and Johnson’s life home alone and then with their aunt. Compare the two pictures and talk with students about what was hard for the children and what good came from living with their aunt.

Dicey's Song

2009-06-17T17:43:00.001-07:00

Author/authors: Cynthia Voigt

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Parent Mental Illness

Year of publication: 2003

Publisher: Aladdin

ISBN#:978-0689863622

Target age level: Junior High

# of pages: 380

Quality of illustrations: N/A

Brief summary: In this sequel to Homecoming, Dicey, age 13, and her younger siblings finally reach their grandmother’s home after traveling many months. Adjusting to living with their unconventional grandmother in a rural Maryland town is difficult, but Dicey and her siblings face additional challenges: Their mother, who is mentally ill, has been institutionalized and their grandmother wants to adopt them; James wants to fit in with his peers; Sammy is getting into fights at school; Maybeth isn’t reading on grade level; and Dicey has to learn to let go and reach out to others.

Activity: Have students discuss what Gram meant when she said that the tree was like a family. Next have students draw a family tree with their family members' names on the branches. At the bottom of the tree have them write or draw pictures of what holds their family together during hard times.

How To Lose All Your Friends

2009-06-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Nancy Carlson

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Friendship

Year of Publication: 1997

Publisher and Location: Puffin

ISBN# 978-0140558623

Target Age Level: Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 32 

Quality of Illustrations: Colorful, but a little bit amateur 

Brief Summary: This book contains ways to lose your friends, such as not sharing, not smiling, cutting in line, and tattling.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The reverse examples are a fun way to look at friendship and are common situations children experience.

Activity: As a class, write a book with the students’ own ideas about how to lose all their friends. Each student can write an example and illustrate a page for the book.

The thought that counts

2009-06-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Author: Jared Dougles Kant with Martin Franklin and Linda Wasmer Andrews

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: OCD/ anxiety

Year of Publication: 2008

Publisher & Location: Oxford University press: New York

ISBN#: 978-0-19-531689-6

Target Age Level: High school- adult

# of Pages:169

Quality of Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects an estimated 2.2 million Americans, and in this introduction to the illness, written for older teenagers and young adults, Kant provides a personal account of his OCD experience. He relates how even the most mundane activities may be permeated by depression and terror, recalling for instance how changing for gym class in school was fraught with anxiety. Kant shows how patience, perseverance, empathetic parents and friends, and, especially, good treatment-medication and a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy known as Exposure and Response Prevention-helped him flourish as a college student. He is aided, particularly in providing more in-depth clinical information, by Franklin (clinical director, Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety) and freelance health and psychology writer Andrews (co-author, If Your Adolescent Has an Anxiety Disorder). The authors address a host of practical questions, including educating others about OCD, how those experiencing OCD can divert themselves from the disorder (through regular exercise, among other strategies), and adjusting to life in college. In the sometimes jargon-ridden mental health world, it's refreshing to see a book that is so succinct, straightforward, reasonably priced and helpful.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

It is intended for an older audiance. I think it would be great for friends and family of children suffering from OCD as well.

Activitiy:

I might have the child with OCD write a daily diary of their experiances. and then as we read the book we can compair their experiances to the authors.

Chasing the High

2009-06-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Author: Kyle Keegan with Howard B. Moss

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Substance Abuse

Year of Publication:2008

Publisher & Location:ISBN#:978-0-19-531472-4

Target Age Level: high school -adult

# of Pages:170

Quality of Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary:This is an autobiography of a young man who struggled with Drug and alcohol abuse. His story is accompanied by facts and details about drug addiction and recovery.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Has some language and graphic depictions of drug use, I would not recomend this for young children. This book does however serve as a great resource to those struggleing with addiction and those who want to help addicts.

Activities: The end of the book contains a FAQ section a good activity would be to have children write down what questions they have about their addiction first and then after finishing the book go back to their questions to see if it answered the questions they had and if the FAQ's help the student with any of their struggles.

Out of the Dust

2009-06-17T12:58:00.001-07:00

Author: Karen Hesse
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Natural Disasters
Year of Publication: 1997
Publisher and Location: Scholastic, Inc.: New York
ISBN# 0-590-37125-8
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary/Junior High
# of Pages: 227
Quality of Illustrations: None
Brief Summary: Billy Jo lives with her parents in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. The book is narrated by Billy Jo as she describes her experiences of living through the Dust Bowl, the death of her mother and the new baby, the grief she shares with her father, running away, and then reuniting with her father, as well as the healing process that it all entails.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The book is written as a series of poems.
Activity: Have the students write their own poems describing their situation, and how they could overcome/cope with them.

Seedfolks

2009-06-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Paul Fleischman
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Disrespect and Insensitivity for Individual and Group Differences
Year of Publication: 1997
Publisher and Location: Harper Trophy: New York
ISBN# 0-06-447207-8
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary/Junior High
# of Pages: 70
Quality of Illustrations: B/W illustration on first page of each chapter. Helps reader visualize the characters.
Brief Summary: Each chapter is a vignette of a different character who lives in a poor, Cincinnati neighborhood. A little girl starts a garden in an abandoned dump, and other characters join them. Through this garden, friendships also grow and barriers are overcome.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book is very easy to read, but some students may have difficulty with the number of characters. For those students, consider using a character map or selecting just a few vignettes to focus on. Can also be used to help heal in other situations, such as a death, or illness.
Activity: 1) Create a worksheet with a chart so the students can write down the character's name, the problem they are having, and how the garden helps them. 2) If possible, grow your own "garden" with the students.

Esperanza Rising

2009-06-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Financial Problems
Year of Publication: 2002
Publisher and Location: Blue Sky Press:
ISBN# 043912042X
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary/Junior High
# of Pages: 288
Quality of Illustrations: None
Brief Summary: Esperanza is a girl who went from being the daughter of an wealthy aristocratic family in Mexico to a migrant worker in California after having to quickly flee their home. Through this change, she learns more about hard work, her people, and herself.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book portrays the plight of Mexican migrant workers at a labor camp during the Great Depression.
Activity: This book can be read aloud in class or as a class assignment. Have the students make a journal for Esperanza and have them describe how she is feeling. Focus on the sections that describe the changes she is making, especially after her mother gets sick.

Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book

2009-06-17T10:40:00.001-07:00

Author: Celeste Shally
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Difficulties Making/Keeping Friends
Year of Publication: 2007
Publisher and Location: Awaken Specialty Press:
ISBN# 0979471303
Target Age Level: Lower Elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Great, colorful, and fun pictures.
Brief Summary: There are two boys who are friends. One friend has mild autism. This book describes their friendship and how the "typical" friend helps his friend with autism in a variety of situations.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The child with autism in this book is still able to interact with peers. It is important to explain that this is not how autism looks in every situation.
Activity: The "typical" friend does a lot of things to help out his friend, which may be overwhelming to some children when discussing how to befriend students with disabilities. Have the students identify all the ways the "typical" friend is able to help his friend with autism, and the characteristics of a good friend. Have the students pick one way they can help someone they know (regardless of whether that friend has a disability).

How to Lose All Your Friends

2009-06-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

Author: Nancy L. Carlson

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: difficulties making and keeping friends

Year of Publication: 1994

Publisher & Location: Puffin Books

ISBN#:

9780140558623

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Nancy Carlson is both the author and the illustrator. She uses color pencil illustrations throughout the book. The pictures are funny and have child-illustrations.

Brief Summary: This book takes a light-hearted look at bratty behavior that will have children laughing in recognition while learning exactly how not to behave. Topics such as tattling, smiling, sharing, bullying, being a poor sport and whining.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book is a great example of what not to do when making friends. This can be very effective with students because it can show how irrational the behavior appears when looking from the outside.

Activity:
Identify those behaviors listed that make it so easy to loose friends and play opposites. What would be the opposite or friend making behavior. Have them write a book "How to win all your friends".

Weberly Worried

2009-06-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Wemberly Worried

Author: Kevin Henkes

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: anxiety

Year of Publication: 2000

Publisher & Location: HarperCollins Canada

ISBN#:

0688170277

Target Age Level: Upper and Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Kevin Henkes does the illustrations and they are colorful. All of the animals have cute features. Chidlren enjoy these.

Brief Summary: Wemberly the mouse worries about everything: big things, like whether her parents might disappear in the middle of the night; little things, like whether she'll spill grape juice on her toy rabbit, Petal; and things in between, like whether she might shrink in the bathtub. What she is more worried about than anything else, however, is her first day at the New Morning Nursery School: "What if no one else has spots? What if no one else wears stripes? What if no one else brings a doll? What if the teacher is mean? What if the room smells bad?" Happily, Miss Peachum introduces her to a kindred spirit right away. Jewel doesn't have spots, but she is wearing stripes and holding a doll. As Wemberly plays with her new friend, she still worries, but no more than usual.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Wemberly is adorable and so easy to like. It would be best for small children because Wemberly is going to nursery school but you could have older children remember when they were starting school and talk abou their feelings.

Activity:
A teacher could make a worry list with the class and then decide what is rational and what is irrational. Then students could identify one worry and decide if it was rational or irrational and what they could do to overcome their worry.

Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws

2009-06-16T05:31:00.001-07:00

Author: Kate Bornstein

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: suicide

Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher and Location: Seven Stories Press
# ISBN-10: 1583227202
# ISBN-13: 978-1583227206
Target Age Level: high school
# of Pages: 192
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations
Brief Summary:
Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 101 Alternatives to Suicide that range from the playful, to the irreverent, to the highly controversial. Designed to encourage readers to give themselves permission to unleash their hearts' harmless desires, the book has only one directive: "Don't be mean." It is this guiding principle that brings its reader on a self-validating journey, which forges wholly new paths toward a resounding decision to choose life.

Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend, and the guiding mentor all in one kind and spirited package.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: May help teenagers to understand the roots of their problems.

Activity: Read and discuss in groups.

The Flood That Came to Grandma's House

2009-06-16T05:26:00.000-07:00

AUTHOR L. Stallone

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: natural disasters

Year of Publication: 1992
Publisher and Location: Upshur
# ISBN-0–912–97502–4
Target Age Level: ninth grade on
# of Pages: 160
Ages: 9-12
Quality of Illustrations: good
Brief Summary: ISBN
Rain from Hurricane Agnes
forces citizens to sandbag the river, but
finally, they must evacuate.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
Humorous but
realistic illustrations show children what
happens when a house fills with water and
the mess left in its wake. It also reassures
them about handling natural disasters.

Activity: Art work on flood.

Amazing Gracie

2009-06-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Author: A.E. Cannon

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: mental ilness emotional instability of parent

Year of Publication: 1993
Publisher and Location: Laurel Leaf
# ISBN-10: 0440215706
# ISBN-13: 978-0440215707
Target Age Level: young adult
# of Pages: 224
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations
Brief Summary: Ever since Gracie was seven and her mother's severe depression caused her to go to the state hospital, it seems the girl's chief function is to keep her mother from being sad. So Gracie should be delighted that her mother is going to marry Pete, but he often seems extremely irresponsible. When Pete moves Gracie, her mother and his own obnoxious son Sinjin from their hometown to Salt Lake City, Gracie's mother sinks into unhappiness, and Gracie must watch after Sinjin and be the adult in the family. Despite its lighthearted title, the novel takes a fairly grim look at dysfunctional families, hard responsibility and the solid value of pursuing one's dreams. Cannon writes about weighty concerns for young people, but with a humorlessness that keeps the characters at arm's length. Her strengths here lie in describing Gracie's maturation and in offering a realistic sense of hope even in the face of serious difficulty.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This book provides a story teenagers can identify with. A little sad, but real.

Activity: Charades

Finding a Job for Daddy

2009-06-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Author: Evelyn Hughes Maslac

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: financial difficulties

Year of Publication: 1996
Publisher and Location: Albert Whitman & Company
# ISBN-10: 0807524379
# ISBN-13: 978-0807524374
Target Age Level: 4-8
# of Pages: 24
Quality of Illustrations: very good
Brief Summary:
Ever since Laura's daddy lost his job, they can't go out to dinner and do other things they like to do. Sometimes Daddy's grumpy. Laura tries to help Daddy by circling the want ads he likes. She works hard to understand Daddy's explanations of resumes and interviews. But it isn't until she gets her own idea that she finds a way that only Laura can help Daddy. Evelyn Maslac's heartwarming story shows young readers (ages 4-8) how the loss of a job affects all members of the family.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: May help teenagers to understand the roots of their problems.
It is pro female- pro family- pro education- non religious- non fantasy- non political and appropriate for children and families.
Activity: Read out loud.

It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear

2009-06-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Author: Vicky Lansky

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: divorce
Year of Publication: 1997
Publisher and Location: The Book Peddlers
# SBN-10: 0916773477
# ISBN-13: 978-0916773472
Target Age Level: Ages 4-8 Kindergarden, Lower Elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Very Good
Brief Summary: t's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear is a picture book designed to be read by parents to their children. Koko Bear's parents are getting a divorce, and Koko, a preschool-aged unisex bear, isn't happy about it. "I don't like this divorce. I don't want two homes," Koko says. Koko Bear's story doesn't minimize kids' pain, but it doesn't wallow in it either.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
The message is positive: children are reassured that their feelings are natural, that their parents still love and will care for them, and that the divorce is not their fault. At the bottom of each page, there are bullet points for parents that give information and advice about what the kids are going through, and the best way to handle each issue as it arises.
Activity: read out loud to children.

Saying goodbye to daddy

2009-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

Author: Judith Vigna

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: death

Year of Publication: 1991
Publisher and Location: Albert Whitman & Company
# ISBN-10: 0807572535
# ISBN-13: 978-0807572535
Target Age Level: 4-8 Kindergarden, low elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: excelent
Brief Summary: Through a third-person narration, readers learn of Clare's emotions after her father dies in a car accident. What she experiences are universal stages of grief, all explored realistically. Her grandfather is a strong, sensitive character who knows how to re-direct her actions. He tries to answer her questions; when he cannot, he provides her with avenues of thought.
However, the subject is addressed in a straightforward, accurate manner, and the book will suit those who need to explain the death of a parent.
Activity: Reading out loud

Stop Picking on Me

2009-06-14T23:57:00.000-07:00

Title: Stop Picking on Me
Author: Pat Thomas

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: bullying

Year of Publication: 2000
Publisher and Location: Barron’s Education Series
# ISBN-10: 0764114611
# ISBN-13: 978-0764114618
Target Age Level: 4-8
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: very good
Brief Summary:
This book explores the dynamics in relationships among children of preschool through early school age, and encourage kids to understand personal and social problems as a first step toward solving them.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
A great resource for understand bullying and whatyou could do to protect yourself.

Activity: Ask children to make a list of bullying behavior and write them on the board.

Up and Down the Worry Hill

2009-06-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Author: Aureen Pinto Wagner & Paul A. Jutton
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: anxiety
Year of Publication: 2004
Publisher and Location: Lighthouse Press, Inc.
# ISBN-10: 0967734762
# ISBN-13: 978-0967734767
Target Age Level: Ages 9-12 Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
# of Pages: 48
Quality of Illustrations: very good
Brief Summary: Casey's struggle with OCD, his sense of hope when he learns about treatment, his relief that neither he nor his parents are to blame, and eventually, his victory over OCD.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This book makes OCD and its treatment easy for children to understand. Along with its companion guide for parents brings hope and help to children and families who suffer from this illness.
Activity: After reading the book, each children can create their own history about a imaginary friend that suffers of OCD

When I feel angry

2009-06-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Title: When I feel angry

Author: Cornelia Maude Spelman

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: anger /conflict resolution

Year of Publication: 2004
Publisher and Location: Albert Whitman & Company
# ISBN-10: 0807588970
# ISBN-13: 978-0807588970
Target Age Level: 4-8
# of Pages: 24
Quality of Illustrations: excelent
Brief Summary:
It's hard to be a bunny. Sometimes a bunny feels angry--especially if someone is teasing or if Mom is paying more attention to the new baby in the family. But there are things a bunny can do to keep anger from taking over--exercise, rest, cry, or even ask for help. This gentle book puts an adorable bunny in a variety of situations that preschool or grade-school children can relate to. Instead of acting out, the bunny and her friends find constructive ways to deal with their anger. The illustrations are comical and gentle. In a note to parents, the author, a social worker, explains that it's important to let children know that they can't avoid their feelings but that they can avoid acting in bad ways. The note also includes advice to parents on setting good examples when dealing with negative emotions.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
It provides good ideas on how to feel better and what to do when angry and offers alternatives to unacaptable behaviors.

Activity: Read out load to children

Posted by Fátima Vera

How Long Does It Hurt: A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers, Their Friends, and Their Families

2009-06-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Cynthia L. Mather and Judy Wood

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: abuse / neglect

Year of Publication: 2004

Publisher and Location: Jossey-Bass
# ISBN-10: 0787975699
# ISBN-13: 978-0787975692
Target Age Level: 13-18
# of Pages: 288
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations
Brief Summary:
"The many aspects and complexities of incest and sexual abuse are well covered in this book. Notwithstanding the comprehensive presentation of factual information, its strength lies in its emphasis on empowerment and healing. How Long Does It Hurt? fully achieves its claim as a guide to recovering from incest and sexual abuse for teenagers, their friends, and their families and will likely fulfill the author's wish that teens will learn that they are not alone and can successfully continue on from the pain."
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
Addresses an exhaustive range of issues pertinent to sexual abuse survivors and does so in a manner that is dynamic, engaging, and straightforward."
The most helpful aspects of the book are the case examples and testimonials of victims. Especially useful are the personalized descriptions of possible reactions in self or from others and the accompanying message to have the strength and courage to find a way to recover despite the obstacles.
Activity: highlight passages and discuss in small groups.
Posted by Fátima Vera

It's My Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch

2009-06-12T10:44:00.001-07:00

Author: Lory Freeman
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Child sexual abuse
Year of Publication: 1982
Publisher and Location: Parenting Press, Inc: Seattle
ISBN# 0-943990-03-3
Target Age Level: Lower Elementary
# of Pages: 24
Quality of Illustrations: Show emotion, but is in black and white (a little dated).
Brief Summary: It describes situations where touching is acceptable and when touching can make a person uncomfortable, whether someone is touching you or wants you to touch them. It provides the reader with how to respond and what to say.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Using the illustrations, explain that the person can be an adult, child, a stranger, or someone you know.
Activity: There is a section that includes phrases that a child can say if they feel uncomfortable. When reading out loud, have the children say the phrases over and over.

My Uncle Keith Died

2009-06-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Carol Ann Loehr
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Suicide
Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher and Location: Trafford Publishing
ISBN# 978-1425102623
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary
# of Pages: 24
Quality of Illustrations: Nice illustrations.
Brief Summary: Cody's uncle Keith commited suicide. In this book, Cody learns about depression and that sometimes it can lead to suicide.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The book also comes with a discussion guide that helps adults answer common questions that children ask when someone they love commits suicide.
Activity: Have the students compare what Cody is going through with what they are going through. Use the questions in the discussion guide to talk with the students about what depression is and how to deal with the grief.

A Pillow For Mom

2009-06-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Author: Charissa Sgouros
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Death, Illness, Emotional Instability of a Parent
Year of Publication: 1998
Publisher and Location: Houghton Mifflin: Boston
ISBN# 0-395-82280-7
Target Age Level: Lower/Upper Elementary
# of Pages: 30
Quality of Illustrations: Nice and in color
Brief Summary: A little girl misses her mom, who is sick in a hospital. She describes the changes that has happened because of it, and so she decides to make her mother a pillow which brings comfort.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book just says that her mother is in a hospital, and can't be with the main character. It can be interpreted as a physical illness, or a mental illness.
Activity: Have the student(s) create something for their parent, whether it is a picture, a blanket, etc. Then have the students talk/write about why they made what they made.

Suicide: The Forever Decision

2009-06-11T10:25:00.001-07:00

Author: Paul G. Quinnet

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: suicide

Year of Publication: 1987
Publisher and Location: Crossroad Classic, New York, NY
ISBN-10: 0824513525
Target Age Level: high school
# of Pages: 156
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations

Brief Summary: this book discusses the social aspects of suicide, anger, loneliness, depression, stress, hopelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, the consequences of a suicide attempt, and how to get help.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
A straightforward approach and insightful advice to those considering suicide.

Activity: Highlight the favorite parts of the a chapter and discuss them in small groups.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

The Step-Tween Survival Guide: How to Deal With Life in a Stepfamily

2009-06-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Author: Lisa Cohn

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: relationship with parents

Year of Publication: 2008
Publisher and Location: Free Spirit Publishing, Minneapolis, MN
# ISBN-10: 1575422972
# ISBN-13: 978-1575422978
Target Age Level: 9-12
# of Pages: 121
Quality of Illustrations: very good

Brief Summary:
This book lets teens know they are not alone, helps them identify and express their feelings, and teaches them how to effectively communicate their wants and needs. The format includes illustrations, quizzes, advice from other stepkids, "survival tools" to use when the going gets rough, and suggestions for what to do when nothing else seems to be working.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
With The Step-Tween Survival Guide, tweens will gain the skills and inspiration to both survive and thrive in a stepfamily.

Activity:
. complete the quizzes on the book
. Mini-dramas – present a conflictive situation and allow students to prepare a quick play showing a solution to the conflict.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

The Night of the Twisters

2009-06-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Author: I. Ruckman

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: natural disasters

Year of Publication: 1986
Publisher and Location: Harper Collins, New York, NY
# ISBN-10: 0064401766
# ISBN-13: 978-0064401760Target Age Level: ninth grade on
# of Pages: 160
Ages: 9-12
Quality of Illustrations: good

Brief Summary: This is a story of Dan Hatch, a 12 y.o boy, his baby brother, Ryan, and Dan's best friend, Arthur, who are home alone when a devasting tornado sweeps through town and depicts the will to live through disaster, and it stresses the importance of having strong family bonds to get throgh tough times

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
Due to some realistic depictions of events surrounding a natural disaster, this book may not be suitable for your younger children.

Activity: Share experiences about natural disasters.
In small groups: discuss what to do in case of a natural disaster.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue

2009-06-11T10:14:00.001-07:00

Author: Julia Cook (Author), Anita DuFalla (Illustrator

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Difficulties making and keeping friends
Year of Publication: 2005
Publisher and Location: Puffin
# ISBN-10: 1931636869
# ISBN-13: 978-1931636865
Target Age Level: Ages 4-8 Kindergarden, Low Elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Very Good

Brief Summary: Josh the Tattler doesn't have any friends. He tattles on his classmates, on his brother, and even on his dog! He tattles so much that he wakes up one night to find that his tongue is yellow, unusually long, and covered in bright purple spots! .

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
Parents who "battle the tattle" at home, on the playground, in the grocery store, or anywhere else, can use this book to both entertain and enlighten their children about "The Tattle Rules." Every adult that desires to help children understand the differences between unnecessary tattling and the necessity of warning others about important matters can benefit from this book.

Activity: Read out Loud
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

Tacky, the Penguin

2009-06-11T10:10:00.001-07:00

Author: Helen Lester

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: insensitivity for individual and group differences.

Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher and Location: Houghton Miffin/Walter Lorraine Books - Boston, MA
ISBN-10: 0618737545
Target Age Level: 4-8 Kindergarden
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Excellent

Brief Summary:
Tacky doesn’t behave like the other penguins and his friends finds him annoying. But his unique personality and out-of-the-box thinking saves the penguin community.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
It’s a lesson of tolerance on differences and an inspiration to enjoy the uniqueness on every human being.

Activity:
Have children measure items in the room with different penguin feet, then write/illustrate in journals about what they did.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story

2009-06-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Author: Lynn C. Tolson

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: mental ilness emotional instability of parent

Year of Publication: 2003
Publisher and Location: The Book Peddlers
ISBN-10: 1410724174
Target Age Level: high-school
# of Pages: 304
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations

Brief Summary: This is a story of a young woman who attempted suicide and her journey towards recovery. It’s a true story that shows cycle of abuse and provides a great message of hope.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This book is a great resource for survivors of abuse – sexual, physical and emotional. It’s an inspiring story of courage that may empower minds and spirits.

Activity:
1)Have the students read the book and discuss in groups.
2) Mini-drama: groups select a scene from the books and prepare a quick dramatization of the scene.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

My mother lost her job today

2009-06-11T10:03:00.001-07:00

Author: Judy Delton, Irene Trivas

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: financial difficulties

Year of Publication: 1980
Publisher and Location: Albert Whitman & Company
# ISBN-10: 080755359X
# ISBN-13: 978-0807553596
Target Age Level: Preeschool
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: very good

Brief Summary:
When her mother loses her job, a six-year-old girl wonders whether anything will ever be the same again.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

Activity: Read out loud.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

The Accident

2009-06-11T10:00:00.001-07:00

Author: Carol Carrick:

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: death

Year of Publication: 1981
Publisher and Location: Houghton Miffin
# ISBN-10: 0899190413
# ISBN-13: 978-0899190419
Target Age Level: 4-8 Kindergarden, low elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: excelent

Brief Summary: Christofer, a young boy, takes his dog Bodger out for a walk in the country. The dog is hit and killed by a truck. Christopher must deal with his feelings about Bodger’s death. How will he overcome his own guilt and feelings of depression in the matter?

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
This books is a touching and realistic story and a great way to broach the subject of death with a young person.

Activity: Reading out loud to children

There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom

2009-06-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Author: Louis Sachar

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: bullying

Year of Publication: 1987
Publisher and Location: Bullseye Books, New York, NY
# ISBN: 0-394-80572-0
Target Age Level: high school
# of Pages: 195
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations

Brief Summary:
Bradley is the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells lies, picks fights and has a lot of behavioral problems. No one likes him, except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous and she even enjoys his stories. Carla knows that Bradley can change when even Bradley is not so sure.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
A good example about believing in yourself.

Activity: Class discussion in small groups and reporting the results to the class.
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

When Sophie Gets Angry.. Really, Really Angry...

2009-06-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Author: Molly Band

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: anger /conflict resolution

Year of Publication: 1999
Publisher and Location: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN-10: 0439213193
Target Age Level: Pre K, lower elementary
# of Pages: 34
Quality of Illustrations: good

Brief Summary:

Sophie, a pre-school grade 2 gets angry when her sister demands a turn playing with a favorite stuffed gorilla. Things got orse Matters worsen when Sophie's mother says it’s her sister turn to play. Sophie trips over a toy truck and gets really, really angry. She kicks, screams, slams the door and runs "She runs and runs and runs until she can't run anymore. Then, for a little while, she cries." Gradually, a calmer Sophie begins noticing birds and ferns. When she returns home, relaxed again, her sister has abandoned the gorilla in favor of a tabletop puzzle.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
A nice way of showing that anger is ok and that there are appropriate ways to deal with it without hurting other. This boos is a wonderful way of reinforcing the message that feelings can change and become manageable.

Activity: Discussion: coloring pictures with different colors that represents different stages of anger.

Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nun

It Happened to Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcome Sexual Abuse (Workbook)

2009-06-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

Author: Willian Lee Carter

Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: abuse / neglect

Year of Publication: 2002
Publisher and Location: New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA
ISBN-10: 1572242795
Target Age Level: 13-18 - Junior High / High School
# of Pages: 182
Quality of Illustrations: no ilustrations
Brief Summary:
This book was written by a psychologist who works with sexually abused teens. It helps teenagers to reflect on what happened, examine its impact on their lives, and begin to develop healthy relationships. The book suggests short exercises and provides quotes from teen survivors.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:
The book can help the healing process from trauma. It covers a variety of topics, such shame/self blame, anger, the grooming process, why me?, future relationships/safety, etc.

Activity: Do some of the exercises from the book in small groups. .
Posted by Nalu de Araujo Nunes

The Skin I'm In

2009-06-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Author: Sharon Flake
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Bullying or Sexual Abuse
Year of Publication: 1998
Publisher and Location:New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN# 0786804440
Target Age Level: Junior High, High School
# of Pages: 171
Quality of Illustrations: None
Brief Summary: Maleeka is a 13yr old girl who gets teased a lot because she has very dark skin. In order to raise her status at school, she becomes friends with the school bully who is very mean to her, but also looks out for her. Her situation starts to change when a new teacher comes to school and challenges Maleeka to find out who she really is.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: All of the main characters in the book are African-American, so it may be effective in helping students who are a racial minority identify with the characters in this book.
Activity: (1) One of the ways Maleeka is able to cope is by creating a story about a slave named Akeelma. Maleeka is able to work out a lot of her feelings and struggles through her writing. Have the students create their own story or have them add another entry to Maleeka's story. (2) Many of the characters in the book are bullies, victims, and bully-victims. Have the students identify the different situations and how the characters respond.

When I Feel Afraid

2009-06-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Author: Cheri J. Meiners
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Fear
Year of Publication: 2003
Publisher and Location: Free Spirit Publications, Minneapolis, MN
ISBN# 1575421380
Target Age Level: Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
# of Pages: 35
Quality of Illustrations: Good
Brief Summary: Explains that many things can be frightening and provides examples of what one can do to feel less afraid, such as asking for help from a person one trusts. Includes information and extension activities for parents or teachers.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: An excellent book that guides children through possible solutions when they are afraid.
Activity: Have the children list people they trust that can help them when they are afraid.

Earthquake!

2009-06-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Cynthia Pratt Nicolson
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Natural Disasters - Earthquakes
Year of Publication: 2002
Publisher and Location: Kids Can Press, Tonawanda, NY
ISBN# 1550749498
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary, Jr. High
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Photographs
Brief Summary: Gives scientific explanations of what causes earthquakes. It also explains what we can do to prepare for earthquakes and how buildings are built to withstand the shaking.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: It’s a great book that shows the true affects of an earthquake and what we can do to prepare.
Activity: Have the children practice an earthquake drill. Discuss how they can prepare their home or other environment for an earthquake.

Making Friends

2009-06-08T15:51:00.001-07:00

Author: Fred Rogers
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Making Friends
Year of Publication: 1987
Publisher and Location: The Putnam & Grosset Group, New York, NY
ISBN# 0399213821
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Photographs
Brief Summary: The book describes the process of making friends. Friends share lots of things, they do fun things together, and sometimes they don’t agree. Sometimes friends can make each other angry. However, friends can also forgive each other.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: It’s a great book to help children learn how to make friends.

Activity: The child could talk about things they can do with their friends.

Accept and Value Each Person

2009-06-08T15:38:00.001-07:00

Author: Cheri J. Meiners
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Insensitivity for others
Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher and Location: Free Spirit Publishing, Minneapolis, MN
ISBN# 1575422034
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 35
Quality of Illustrations: Good
Brief Summary: Each person is different, our differences are good. We also have similarities. We can accept and value each person for who they are.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: It’s a bit idealistic, but it could be a very good start to increasing acceptance among children.

Activity: As a class activity - Children can make a collage about them identifying their differences and similarities. Each child can then share their collage with other students.

Angry

2009-06-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Author: Susan Riley
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Anger
Year of Publication: 2000
Publisher and Location: The Child’s World, Inc., San Juan Capistrano, CA
ISBN# 1567666671
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Photographs
Brief Summary: A child explains what angers him and how he sometimes angers other people.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Sometimes the child in the picture looks like he’s about to laugh rather than really angry.
Activity: Have the child discuss what things make him/her angry and what he/she can do to help resolve it.

The Healing Book Facing the Death and Celebrating the Life of Someone You Love

2009-06-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

Author: Ellen Sabin
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Death and Loss
Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher and Location: Watering Can, China
ISBN# 097598683
Target Age Level: Elementary
# of Pages: 63
Quality of Illustrations: Good
Brief Summary: This book is set up like a work book, the child can read through with an adult or independently. It helps them identify what they’re feeling after someone they love died. It lets them know that whatever they’re feeling is okay. They can write down their questions about death, where people go, what happens after they die, etc. Then it goes through remembering the person who died. The child can make a scrapbook about the person who died. They can include different memories including pictures or stories. It also offers some ways to feel better, and gives space for a journal for the child to express themselves.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: It’s a great book that could really help a child process the loss of someone they loved.
Activity: Work through the book with a child. It may take some time. Let the child work through the book at their speed.

Drowning Anna

2009-06-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Author: Sue Mayfield
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Suicide, bullying
Year of Publication: 2001
Publisher & Location: New York: Hyperion Books
ISBN#: 0786809574
Target Age Level: High school
# of Pages: 256
Quality of Illustrations: none
Brief Summary: When brainy and shy Anna Goldmith moves from her posh London school to a small Yorkshire town, everyone starts to gossip. Her accent makes her stick out a mile, while her near-perfect grades set her apart as a teacher’s pet. But when the most popular girl in school, captivating and witty Hayley Parkin, befriends Anna, she couldn’t be more thrilled. Just when it seems Hayley and Anna’s friendship is growing, Hayley begins her cruel games. What starts as innocent teasing leads to mean remarks and even violence, toward frightened Anna. But Hayley’s cunning leaves a deeper impression on Anna than anyone, even her best friend Melanie, could ever anticipate. This compelling novel takes a frank look at the dynamics of teen popularity and the dangerous extremes to which bullying can be taken. Ends with Anna attempting to commit suicide, though you do learn that she survives.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:

British, so some lingo and references may be lost on American teens. Serious themes, so make sure the students are mature enough to handle it.

Activity: Discuss what Anna could have done at various points to address the bullying. What were her alternatives to attempting suicide? What can she & others do after the suicide attempt? Write an alternate ending.

Buttermilk Hill

2009-06-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Author: Ruth White

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Divorce

Year of Publication: 2004

Publisher & Location: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York

ISBN#: 0374351120

Target Age Level: Jr. High, High School

# of Pages: 168

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: When Piper’s parents divorce and gradually begin to make new lives for themselves she finds all the changes difficult, but in time she starts to find her own way. She copes through a lot of the changes through writing poetry.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children:Her parents are often triangulating her. It seems a very typical situation of divorce that many young teenagers would be able to relate to.

Activity: Have the child try to write poetry to express their feelings and challenges in coping with the divorce.

One Lucky Girl

2009-06-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Author: George Ella Lyon
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Natural disaster (tornad0)
Year of Publication: 2000
Publisher & Location: New York: DK Ink/D. Kindersley Publishers
ISBN#: 0789426137
Target Age Level: Lower elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Pretty good, though a bit messy
Brief Summary: Even though their trailer is destroyed by a tornado, a young boy's family is grateful because they find his baby sister alive.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Might be hard for children who weren't as lucky as this family & lost members.

Activity: Draw pictures or make a list of what is most important, especially in light of what was lost in the natural disaster.

We All Sing with the Same Voice

2009-06-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

Author: J. Philip Miller & Sheppard M. Greene
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Respect for individual differences
Year of Publication: 2001
Publisher & Location: New York: Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN#: 0060293640
Target Age Level: Lower elementary
# of Pages: 32
Quality of Illustrations: Excellent
Brief Summary: This joyful Sesame Street song embraces the notion that no matter where children live, what they look like, or what they do, they're all the same where it counts--at heart.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Apparently this is a Sesame Street song, so it's pretty simplistic.

Activity: Have the children draw pictures of themselves, including their own unique qualities. Discuss what is the same about people and what is different.

What Every Kid Should Know

2009-06-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Jonah Kalb & David Viscott, M.D.
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Parent/child relationship problems, feelings, making friends, self-esteem, divorce
Year of Publication: 1976
Publisher & Location: Boston: Houghton Mifflin
ISBN#: 0395629837
Target Age Level: Late elementary, junior high
# of Pages: 127
Quality of Illustrations: some simplistic sketches added throughout
Brief Summary: Discusses the problems of growing up and gives suggestions on coping with various emotions, understanding oneself, getting along with others, and dealing with parents.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Written in 1976, so may be a bit outdated.

Activity: Have the student compile a "Bill of Rights for Kids" like was done in the book. He/she makes a list of rights that are important to him/her (examples include "right to pick my own friends," "right to privacy," "right to my own opinion). Discuss each one and why that is important. Talk about how the student could discuss these rights with his/her parents, especially when they disagree.

Grape Thief

2009-06-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Author: Kristine L. Frankline
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Family financial difficulties
Year of Publication: 2003
Publisher & Location: Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press
ISBN#: 0763613258
Target Age Level: Junior high
# of Pages: 290
Quality of Illustrations: none
Brief Summary: In 1925, in a small Washington State community made up of families from different ethnic backgrounds, twelve-year-old Cuss tries to stay in school as he watches those around him struggle with various financial difficulties.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The main character is nicknamed "Cuss" because he can swear in 14 languages--I don't think the book includes foul language, but still....

Activity: Have students discuss what they know about the Great Depression of the 1920s, including any stories from their own family history. Talk about what life was like for teens of that era and compare that to the current experience of teens and their families in the current economic recession.

Danny Diamondback

2009-06-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Author: Barry E. Jackson
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Difficulties making friends
Year of Publication: 2008
Publisher & Location: New York: Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN#: 9780061131844
Target Age Level: Lower elementary
# of Pages: 40
Quality of Illustrations: Excellent
Brief Summary: A lonely young rattlesnake finds that making friends in the desert is not as easy as he originally thought it would be. When one prairie dog discovers that Danny can add great rhythm for his band, Danny joins the Hoppin' Jalapenos. Unfortunately, Danny loses his disguise in his excitement while playing & scares off all the animals. Later Danny is able to come to the rescue and scare off a band of coyotes. He is hailed as a hero and lives with the other small animals.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: A bit simplistic. Also, unclear if children can related to Danny's reasons for having trouble making friends.

Activity: Have the children make a list of their own unique talents, strengths, or interests that could help them make friends.

Misery Moo

2009-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Author: Jeanne Willis & Tony Ross
Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Depression, sadness
Year of Publication: 2003
Publisher & Location: New York: Henry Holt & Co.
ISBN#: 0805076727
Target Age Level: Lower elementary
# of Pages: 24
Quality of Illustrations: Great
Brief Summary: A pessimistic cow is so resistant to a lamb's attempts to cheer her up that the previously happy-go-lucky lamb starts to feel just like the miserable cow. In the end, the cow is so happy that the lamb cares about her that she cheers up. Both learn to be happy with each other, even when it rains.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: none

Activity: Have the child make a list or draw things that make him/her happy, sad, mad, etc. Talk about how he/she can feel different emotions, even in the same situation.

When a Pet Dies

2009-06-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

Title: When a Pet Dies

Author: Fred Rogers

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Death of a pet

Year of Publication: 1998

Publisher & Location: Penguin Group

ISBN#: 9780698116665

Target Age Level: Preschool, early elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: photographs

Brief Summary: This book is written by Fred Rogers from Mr. Roger's neighborhood and explains the emotions that a child may experience when a loved pet dies. The book reassures the child that their feelings will get better.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: none

Post Reading Activities: Have the child draw a picture of their pet or retell and write a story about one of their favorite memories with their pet. Discuss how they feel and provide comfort and reassurance.

Nory Ryan's Song

2009-06-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Title: Nory Ryan’s Song

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Natural Disasters, Financial Difficulties

Year of Publication: 2000

Publisher & Location: Yearling; New York

ISBN#: 0-440-41829-1

Target Age Level: middle school, young adult

# of Pages: 148

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: This novel tells the story of the Ryan family during the black potato famine of 1845-1852 in Ireland. Nory’s father is out at sea, her oldest sister leaves the family to go to America and be married. Ultimately Nory is responsible for finding food for her family. This story talks about the incredible destruction that slowly took place during this natural disaster and the means that some people resorted to just to keep their families alive.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: none

Post Reading Activities: Compare the natural disaster and the effects of this disaster to modern-day natural disasters. Research other natural disasters and ways people were able to survive. Discuss the power of the human will and how we can overcome tragic natural disasters.

Fat Kid Rules The World

2009-06-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

Title: Fat Kid Rules the World

Author: K.L. Going

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Difficulties Making and Keeping Friends, Substance abuse, parent-child relationships

Year of Publication: 2003

Publisher & Location: Penguin Putnam

ISBN#: 0-399-23990-1

Target Age Level: middle school, high school

# of Pages: 187

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary: Seventeen-year-old Troy Billings is six-foot-one and weights three hundred pounds. He has no friends. His dad is ashamed of him. His mom died. His brother is embarrassed by him. He sees no reason for living. Standing along the subway tracks, he is contemplating ending his life when a filthy, scrawny homeless person begins speaking to him. The homeless guy is none other than the legendary Curt McCrae, the best punk rock guitarist in the city. Curt saves Troy’s life; then, for reasons that Troy cannot possibly understand begins an unusual friendship. Curt insists that Troy become the new drummer in his band. There’s just one problem: Troy doesn’t play the drums.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: Graphic language

Post Reading Activities: Discuss reasons that people stereotype and refuse to be friends with others. This book talks extensively about how Troy feels about being obese and how he feels others view him. This book could be used to discuss those stereotypes and the hardships it places on people dealing with the crisis of obesity. This book also highlights prescription drug abuse which could be discussed with a reader in an effort to understand the addition.

Don't Call Me Pig!

2009-06-06T15:17:00.001-07:00

Title: Don’t Call Me Pig!

Author: Conrad J. Storad

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Insensitivity to individual or group differences

Year of Publication: 1999

Publisher & Location: Resort Gifts Unlimited, Inc. Tempe, AZ

ISBN#: 1-891795-03-1

Target Age Level: Elementary

# of Pages: 29

Quality of Illustrations: Very good

Brief Summary: This book is told from the standpoint of a javelina- a wild boar or collared peccary that lives in the southwest desert. While the javelina may look a lot like a pig, have a snout like a pig, and grunt like a pig, it most certainly is not a pig. Through clever rhyme the javelina describes it’s characteristics, eating habits, habitat, and personality while emphasizing the point that it is not a pig.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: none

Post Reading Activities: Have students describe the differences between pigs and javelinas. Then lead a discussion about different ethnicities. Have students complete a Venn diagram or T-chart to point out differences (and similarities, if using a Venn diagram) about people from different ethnicities. Talk about why people feel strongly about having their ethnicity correctly identified.

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

2009-06-06T15:08:00.001-07:00

Title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Author: Betty Smith

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Family Financial Difficulties, Alcoholism, Parent-child relations

Year of Publication: 1998 (reprint; originally 1943)

Publisher & Location: Perennial Classics, New York

ISBN#: 0-06-092988-x

Target Age Level: young adult

# of Pages: 483

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary: Francie and her family live in the slums of Brooklyn from 1902-1919. Francie tells the story of her families financial difficulties, her fathers alcoholism, her mothers undying love for her father, and her brothers premature coming of age to help their family survive. Ultimately this is a coming of age story.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: none

Post Reading Activities: There are several passages in this book that explain how Francie feels about being poor and the sacrifices that she and her family had to make to eat daily. These passages could be shared with a child who is experiencing hardship to help them understand and express their feelings. Similar things could be done with the topic of Alcoholism.

Lucy and the Bully

2009-06-05T22:17:00.002-07:00

Author: Claire Alexandrer

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Bullying

Year of Publication: 2008

Publisher & Location: Albert Whitman & Company, Morton Grove, IL

ISBN#: 978087547861

Target Age Level: Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Good

Brief Summary: Lucy is a good artist. One day Tommy spills paint on her pictures. The teacher is oblivious, even as Tommy becomes more brutal toward Lucy’s artwork and stomps on her clay crow on the way home from school. But instead of telling her mother, Lucy stuffs the bird in her backpack and says nothing. Every day Tommy continues to bully Lucy until Lucy must confide in her mother . . . who calls the teacher . . . who calls Tommy’s mom. The next day Tommy looks sad and alone; Lucy takes it upon herself to be nice to Tommy and they become friends.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children

This is an excellent book that portrays that is is helpful to tell an adult about bullying behavior. A child could talk about times that someone has ruined something they have made and discuss how they could handle the situation in the future.