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

My Grandfather's Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging

Author: Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

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

Year of Publication: 2001

Publisher & Location: Riverhead Trade

ISBN#:

1573228567 (isbn13: 9781573228565)

Target Age Level: Young Adult, Adult, High School

# of Pages: 400

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary: When doctor and author Rachel Naomi Remen was young, she was caught between two different views of life: that of her rabbi grandfather and that of her highly academic, research-oriented parents, who believed religion was the opiate of the masses. As Remen gravitated toward academics and serving the world as a medical doctor, her grandfather became an "island of mysticism in a vast sea of science." But over time, Remen discovered that two seemingly divergent paths could lead to the same destination, especially as she learned to blend her spiritual beliefs with her medical treatment.

Remen uses the heart-rending stories of her patients to teach readers how to follow in her example, that is, combining a life of service with a life of receiving and giving blessings (a combination that avoids common problems such as burnout, self-sacrifice, and navel gazing). Remen also includes personal stories of her grandfather, who showered the world with his mystical beliefs and wizened blessings. --Gail Hudson

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: good book, deals with different types of loss. for older readers.

Activities:
Since it is for older readers, a discussion would probably suffice. Although each chapter is a different story and are typically not long, you could find one (the one about collectible toy cars is a good one to use) that you could do activities with.

Now One Foot, Now the Other

Author: Tomie dePaola

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: illness in family

Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Putnam Juvenile

ISBN#: 0399242597

Target Age Level: preschool, lower elementary

# of Pages: 48

Quality of Illustrations: Excellent

Brief Summary: Bobby's grandfather, Bob, teaches him to walk and play as he is growing up. When Bob suffers a stroke, Bobby learns to return the favor, even though it is awkward and different at first.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This one hit close to home for me, but is a simple and beautiful book for anyone who has/had a parent or grandparent with a sudden or debilitating illness.