My Uncle Keith Died

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.

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

The Accident

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

Misery Moo

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.

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.