Hi!
I work with young people who are often voracious readers (16 and younger – some read 1-2 books/month and others can read 5-7 books/month). However, I don't typically read the same books as these young people, and they often want more suggestions related to mental health topics specifically given my field of work. I'd love to have a rec list of books that either overtly or subtly deal with mental health issues, young adult/coming of age, complex family dynamics, and everything in between in ANY genre and ANY length but please give me the appropriate trigger warnings so I can have a quick reference. I usually read things before suggesting too but want to be able to use these books as conversation starters/pieces, narrative tools, etc.
Also, please do not shy away from various religious sects, ethnic/cultural backgrounds, and sexuality. Nothing too dense or too intensely smut forward please.
by Aware_Audience_6776
2 Comments
working with teens who devour books is like trying to keep up with a runaway printing press – they’ll read anything you put in front of them but finding the right fit takes some digging
for mental health stuff that doesn’t feel preachy, look into books that weave those themes through character development rather than making it the whole plot. stories where the mc is dealing with family stuff or identity questions while also having actual adventures tend to land better than straight problem novels
thrift store book hunting has taught me that sometimes the best recommendations come from unexpected places, so maybe ask your readers what they’ve connected with recently too
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson ( deals with SA but doesn’t glamorize it like some think Thirteen Reasons Why does)
Paper Towns by John Green ( deals with depression and running away)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman (deals with euthanasia)
The fault in our stars by John Green (deals with terminal illness)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (deals with sa)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the
Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante #1)
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (sexual identity)
Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (racism, racial violence)