Riding the Bus with My Sister

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
   

Me, myself, and them

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.

A Pillow For Mom

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.

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

Beating Depression: Teens find light at the end of the tunnel

Title: Beating Depression: Teens find light at the end of the tunnel

Author: Faye Zucker and Joan E. Huebl

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Anxiety; Fear; Depression

Year of Publication: 2007

Publisher & Location: Franklin Watts; Danbury, CT

ISBN#:
978-0-531-12462-8
0-531-12462-2

Target Age Level: Teen

# of Pages: 112

Quality of Illustrations: photographs

Brief Summary: Non-fiction book about adolescent depression. Provides information that defines depression, lists signs and symptoms of depression, explains the science and physiology of depression, approaches to get help, possible treatment options. The book is written in a magazine type layout with reader-friendly text features that will likely appeal to teenagers such as quizzes, checklists, and q & a sections. Real teens share their experiences dealing with depression—including the highs and lows. Overall, the book provides valuable information and a feeling of hope.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: Information contained in this book is written to appeal to teenagers. It is meant to be understood at that level and is not easily adapted to younger age groups. The photographs in this book are striking black and white images which add to the depth and emotion of the book. It should be noted that a teen may feel embarrassed or self-conscious to read this book.

Possible activities in groups or individual counseling: This book presents some factual information in an appealing way to teenagers. A counselor, teacher, or confidant of a teen recently diagnosed with depression may want to recommend that a teen read this book. This book may also be useful for children or siblings of a person diagnosed with depression to help them understand depression.

So B. It

Title: So B. It

Author: Sarah WeeksType or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Mental Illness of a parent/caregiver

Year of Publication: 2005

Publisher & Location: Harper Collins

ISBN#: 9780064410472

Target Age Level: Middle school, High School, Adult

# of Pages: 227

Quality of Illustrations: none

Brief Summary: Twelve-year-old Heidi lives with her mentally disabled mother who can only speak a mere 23 words. Her primary caregiver, a kind elderly woman is agoraphobic. This story chronicles her journey to discover her roots and discover the meaning of a mysterious word repeated by her mother.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book: The main character of this story experiences strong emotions about her mother, caregiver, and her undiscovered past. Persons experiencing similar feelings may struggle reading about the inner conflicts, but may benefit. Carefully consider the emotional stability of a potential reader before recommending this book.

Post Reading Activities: Discuss the feelings that Heidi shares about her mother, her mother’s illness. Discuss why Heidi feels so strongly about discovering her roots and where she came from.

Eclipse

Author: Kristine L. Franklin

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Parent with Mental Illness, Family Financial Difficulties

Year of Publication: 1995

Publisher & Location: Candlewick Press, Massachusetts

ISBN#: 0763602418

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

# of Pages: 160

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: Trina’s father broke his back and is no longer able to work. He begins to suffer from depression. Trina’s world begins to unravel. She is also dealing with her 48 year old mother’s pregnancy.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: Trina is a little naive. Some things are little unrealistic, but there are good moments that could be beneficial for therapeutic moments.

Sad Days, Glad Days

Author/Authors: DeWitt Hamilton

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: MENTAL ILLNESS

Year of Publication: 1995

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

ISBN #: 0-8075-72004-4

Target Age Level: Lower elementary, Upper elementary

# of Pages: 29

Quality of Illustrations: Good illustrations that depict the feeling of depression

Brief Summary:
Amanda is the only child of a family. The mom suffers from depression. This story is about her learning to cope and understand her mom’s depression and how some days are glad days and some days are sad days. She learns that it is not her fault and that her mom does still love her. In the end of the story Amanda’s mom lets her keep a cat that she has been taking care of when he brings her a mouse. Amanda’s dad comes up with a game to describe her mom’s mood by color. This seems to help Amanda better understand the depression.

Post reading activity:
If working with a child who is trying to understand his or her parent’s depression, have them come up with a description of different days based on colors. Have the child describe how the parent acts on those days. Have the child list what kinds of things he or she could do on the different days. For black or blue days have the child think of some things he or she could do to keep from getting sad as well. For example, maybe that would be a good day to go to a friend’s house to play.

The Face at the Window

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: MENTAL ILLNESS

Author/authors: Regina Hanson; Illustrated by Linda Saport

Year of Publication: 1997

Book Title: The Face at the Window

ISBN #: 0395786258

Age Level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 32

Quality of illustrations: Wonderfully ethnic, warm chalk illustrations

Brief Summary: The book is set in Jamaica where a young girl named Dora is scared by the stories her friends tell of the woman, Miss Nella, that lives in their neighborhood. One day, Dora and her friends go over to Miss Nella’s and try to get some mangoes by hitting them down with stones. One of Dora’s stones misses, hitting Miss Nella’s door and she appears at the window as they run away. Dora is convinced that Miss Nella saw her and that she is coming to get her revenge. Dora begins blaming herself for a myriad of bad luck until her father finally convinces her that Miss Nella’s mental illness is what causes her odd behavior and that Dora is not being punished with bad luck. Her parents eventually help Dora develop compassionate rather than fearful feelings towards Miss Nella.

Post reading activity: Have the children draw pictures of people they have known with mental illnesses. Explain what mental illnesses are, what it means to have a mental illness and then have the children talk about the people they drew and have them name one nice thing they would feel comfortable doing for that person.

Amazing Gracie

Author: A.E. Cannon

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Mental illness of a parent, family financial problems, suicide

Year of Publication: 1991

Publisher & Location: Dell Publishing, New York, New York

ISBN#: 0440215706

Target Age Level: Jr High, High School

# of Pages: 214

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: (Set in American Fork and Salt Lake City, UT )Gracie’s father died when she was four, so it’s been her and her mother ever since. Gracie looks a lot like her mother, but she’s afraid she’s like her in other ways. Cynthia, Gracie’s mom, struggles with depression. She had to go to the state hospital when Gracie was seven. Gracie has felt it her duty to keep her mother happy. Cynthia gets remarried to Pete who sometimes seems irresponsible. Gracie has to adjust to a new step-father and step-brother. Pete moves the family to Salt Lake City so he can pursue his multi-level marketing career. This should help Cynthia with her depression, but it doesn’t. She spirals down until she attempts suicide. Gracie finds her lying on her bed. Cynthia is taken to the hospital where she stays for a while. She eventually returns and there is hope that she will be able to control her depression.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: The characters are very real and believable. It could be very applicable to students in this area as it is set in American Fork and Salt Lake.

Activity: Have students identify what Gracie is experiencing with a mother who suffers from depression. Identify how she handles the responsibility and her feelings towards her mother when she attempts suicide.

Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry

Type of emotional/crisis issues addressed: Mental illness of a Parent/Gardian

Author/authors: Bebe Moore Campell

Year of Publication: 2003

Book Title: Sometimes My Mommy Gets Mad

ISBN #: 0399239723

Age level: Lower Elementary

# of pages: 28

Quality of illustrations: Very good

Brief summary: A little girl struggles because one day her mommy is cheerful and makes her pancakes and other days she locks herself away and yells at the neighbors. She talks to her grandma about it who tries to help her understand what is going on. She deals with the difficulty by talking to her grandma on the phone everyday and learning to be a big, brave girl.

Personal thoughts: This was a very realistic story with beautiful pictures. Although it was very sad, it was a realistic way for someone to deal with something so difficult. This book is probably best with children who have parents with depression or bipolar disorder.

Activity: Have the child draw a picture of another family member who can be a support for them. With the child, talk about how that person can help them.

Annie's Monster

Author: Barbara Corcoran

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Mental Illness, Adolescence, Caregivers, Death, Pet Care, Family Relationships, Mental Health Facilities

Year of Publication: 1990 (out of print, but available used)

Publisher & Location: Macmillian, New York

ISBN#: 0689316321

Target Age Level: Upper Elementary

# of Pages: 188

Quality of Illustrations: None

Brief Summary: Annie gets a new dog and when they are out one day, they stumble across a homeless woman who Annie tries to help.

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