KNOW ABOUT ABUSE

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

Beyond the Tears: A True Survivor's Story

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

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

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

When Something Feels Wrong

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Abuse

Author/authors: Deanna Pledge

Year of Publication: 2003

Book Title: When Something Feels Wrong

ISBN #: 1575421151

Age level: High School, Junior High

# of pages: 214

Quality of illustrations: None

Brief summary (a short paragraph is sufficient): This is a factual book about abuse and how to deal with it. Activities are already included in the book.

Personal biases: This book is probably better used in therapy, rather than giving it to a student and not following up. It is very factual, but will probably be better accepted if it is applied more to the student's life.

Activities: activities are included in the book depending on what chapter you are working on.

A Family that Fights

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Abuse

Author/authors: Sharon Chelser Bernstein

Year of Publication: 1991

Book Title: A Family that Fights

ISBN #: 0807522481

Age level: Lower elementary

# of pages: 28

Quality of illustrations: okay

Brief summary (a short paragraph is sufficient): The story is told from the view of a young boy who has a younger brother and sister. Their father physically abuses their mother, but not them. However, the boy fears that one day he will hit one of the kids. He is upset at his mother for ignoring the abuse, is angry with his father, and confused about his family. The book does not have a magical ending, but ends with some hope. The pictures are a little outdated, but it is well written.

Activities: Have the child draw a picture of his or her family and talk about his or her feelings about each family member. Help the child process these feelings.

Chilly Stomach

No Image Available

Author/Authors: Jeannette Caines

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: SEXUAL ABUSE

Year of Publication: 1986

Publisher & Location: Harper & Row, Publishers

ISBN #: 0-06-020976-3

Target Age Level: Lower elementary

# of Pages: 32

Quality of Illustrations: Colorful illustrations

Brief Summary: Whenever the girl’s Uncle comes over, she gets a chilly stomach. The book never specifically states the issue other than the girl does not like it when he kisses her on the lips or tickles her. She especially does not like it when he spends the night. The girl tells her friend about her chilly stomach and the cause. She hopes that her friend will tell her mom who will then call to tell the girl’s mom. However, she is afraid that her parents will not like her anymore. This story really hints around the issue and does not give a clear path to follow to resolve the problem. At least she tells her friend and it shows that it is serious enough that she is going to tell her mom. One thing I do like about this book is that it portrays the feeling a young child may have when there is abuse, and the conflicted feelings about what to do.

Post reading activity:
If using this book, a good activity would be to use puppets or toy figures to role play what happens next in the book. Role play the friend’s mom talking to the girl’s mom and showing that mom is not going to be mad at her. Role play a resolution and then talk about the child’s fears.

Bruises

Author: Anke De Vries

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

Year of Publication: 1992

Publisher & Location: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books

ISBN#: 188691009X

Target Age Level: Upper Elementary, Jr. High, High School

# of Pages: 172

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary: No matter what Judith does, she can’t please her mother. Her mother beats her whenever she is unhappy. Judith has come to expect the beatings. Her teacher gets suspicious due to Judith’s frequent absences and constant excuses for not participating in gym. Judith befriends Michael. She finds strength in their friendship. Judith’s mother moves to a differenty city when Judith’s teacher asks for a parent teacher conference. The story ends optimistic as Judith buys a train ticket back to the city they moved from.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The beatings are pretty graphic at times.

Daisy

Author: E. Sandy Powell

Illustrator: Peter J. Thornton

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Abuse (physical, verbal)

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books

ISBN#: 0876145438

Target Age Level: Lower Elementary

# of Pages: 38

Quality of Illustrations: Black & white, but detailed

Brief Summary: A young girl deals with the emotional and physical problems of being a victim of child abuse.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: A good example of how a child feels about physical/emotional abuse from parents. Daisy blames herself & tries to make excuses for her father. Also shows how reaching out to someone else for help can be difficult but worth it. Daisy uses drawing as an outlet about her feelings, which many children could probably relate to. My only problem is that the tutor at school suspects abuse but doesn't take action immediately (doesn't until she's aware of a second incident, involving Daisy getting a black eye). The book ends with Daisy going to live with a foster mother.

Activity: Like Daisy, have the child draw how he/she feels about the abusive situation. Talk about what the pictures represent.

Goodnight, Mr. Tom

Author: Michelle Magorian

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Abuse, War, Loss, Adoption

Year of Publication: 1981

Publisher & Location: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. New York

ISBN#:0-06-440174-X

Target Age Level: Junior High, High School

# of Pages: 318

Quality of Illustrations: NA

Brief Summary: William comes from an abusive home during world war II and is placed as an evacuee with a man whom he calls Mr.Tom. Mr. Tom is struggling with the loss of his wife and later on both experience another loss of a loved one.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: One scene in the book becomes very descriptive which may be too much for a student who still is or recently has been in an abusive home.

Activities: Discuss some challenges that may come from being in an abusive home/a loss and how over time the pain gets softer (sea glass analogy).

Almost A Hero

Author(s): John Neufeld

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Abuse, Suicide, Homeless Children

Year of Publication: 1995

Publisher & Location: New York

ISBN #: 0689807406

Target Age Level: Upper Elementary

# of Pages: 160

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary (1-2 paragraphs): Ben is mad when he hears that he has to spend his vacation in a pre-school for homeless kids. He gets really involved and tries to save a child who he thinks is being abused.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or things to consider when using this book with children: