READING Assignment:
Books are a great place to read about difficult issues teens might be facing. There are books that just get the experience of being a teenager who struggle with peer interactions, sexual orientation, a physical disability, depression, or mental illness, and they tell the important stories that teens today need to know. Stories about LGBTQ+ issues, physical hardships, anxiety, depression, grief, identity, and more...these are must-reads not just for people experiencing these issues, but for people wondering how to better understand their friends and peers. Fiction (made-up) or Non-Fiction (real life) books will help you make connections to these important topics.
Choose eBooks/audio books or check out the titles from our library described below:
Choose eBooks/audio books or check out the titles from our library described below:
Fiction Books:
self-harm,
suicide, grief autism
self-perception,
cancer suicide, grief
grief
depression, guilt
pressure, drug use
grief
self-harm, grief, LGBTQ
depression, schizophrenia
depression
autism spectrum,
social disability self-harm
self-harm, depression
illness, family relationships
death, grief
illness
physical & emotional abuse
death, grief
illness, family relationships
death, grief
self-harm, drug abuse
self-perception, death, grief, family relationships
grief, family relationships
death, grief
self-perception, transgender, bipolar
death, grief, physical abuse
autism, family relationships
self-perception, LGBTQ
self-perception, family relationships
self-perception, bullying
bullying, transgender
grief, family relationships, self-perception
family relationships, LGBTQ
depression, physical disability
OCD, physical disabilities
isolation, physical disabilities
physical disabilities, relationships
bullying, disabilities
suicide, family relationships, racism
depression, family relationships
self-perception, racism, LGBTQ
family relationships, death
self-perception, family relationships
bullying, gender-fluid, relationships
grief, death, suicide
grief, death
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Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Places.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fic Niv Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him. Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief and guilt in the wake of her sister's recent death. When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the "natural wonders" of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It's only with Violet that Finch can be himself -- a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who's not such a freak after all. And it's only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. Baskin, Norma. Anything But Typical.
Realistic Fiction Fic Bas Jason Blake is an autistic twelve-year-old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it's just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does. Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that PhoneixBird-her name is Rebecca-could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to met her, he's terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca wil only see his autism and not who Jason really is. Suplee, Suzanne. Artichoke's Heart
Romance Fic Sup When she is almost sixteen years old, Rosemary decides she is sick of being overweight, mocked at school and at Heavenly Hair--her mother's beauty salon--and feeling out of control, and as she slowly loses weight, she realizes that she is able to cope with her mother's cancer, having a boyfriend for the first time, and discovering that other people's lives are not as perfect as they seem from the outside. Pan, Emily. The Astonishing Color of After.
Realistic Fic Pan Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: when her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird. When she travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time, Leigh is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life. Castle, Jennifer. The Beginning of After.
Realistic Fic Cas In the aftermath of a car accident that killed her family, sixteen-year-old Laurel must face a new world of guilt, painful memories, and the possibility of new relationships. Schumacher, Julie. Black Box.
Realistic Fic Sch When her sixteen-year-old sister is hospitalized for depression and her parents want to keep it a secret, fourteen-year-old Elena tries to cope with her own anxiety and feelings of guilt that she is determined to conceal from outsiders. Mackel, Katherine. Boost.
Sports Fic Mac Thirteen-year-old Savvy's dreams of starting for her elite basketball team are in danger when she is accused of taking steroids. Reynolds, Jason The Boy in the Black Suit.
Realistic Fic Rey Soon after his mother's death, Matt takes a job at a funeral home in his tough Brooklyn neighborhood and, while attending and assisting with funerals, begins to accept her death and his responsibilities as a man. Boteju, Tanya. Bruised.
Sports Fic Shu To Daya Wijesinghe, a bruise is a mixture of comfort and control. Since her parents died in an accident she survived, bruises have become a way to keep her pain on the surface of her skin so she doesn’t need to deal with the ache deep in her heart. So when chance and circumstances bring her to a roller derby bout, Daya is hooked. Yes, the rules are confusing and the sport seems to require the kind of teamwork and human interaction Daya generally avoids. But the opportunities to bruise are countless, and Daya realizes that if she’s going to keep her emotional pain at bay, she’ll need all the opportunities she can get. sees a bruise as a mixture of comfort and control, but joining a roller derby team pushes her toward big truths about love, loss, strength, and healing. Shusterman, Neal. Challenger Deep
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fic Shu Caden Bosch thinks he's on a ship bound for Challenger Deep, the southernmost part of the Marianas Trench. But really, he is dealing with schizophrenia, and as his fantasy takes over, his parents are forced to have him committed to a mental institution. Nolan, Han Crazy.
Realistic Fiction Fic Nol Fifteen-year-old loaner Jason struggles to hide his father's declining mental condition after his mother's death. But when his father disappears, he must confide in the other members of a therapy group he has been forced to join at school. Haddon, Mark. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
Mystery Fic Nol Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. McCormack, Patricia. Cut.
Realistic Fiction Fic McC Sometimes, the world is too much for Mona Starr. She's sweet, geeky, and creative, but it's hard for her to make friends and connect with other people. And now Mona's struggle with depression takes on a vivid, concrete form. Mona calls it her Matter. The Matter gets everywhere, telling Mona she's not good enough, and that everyone around her wishes she would go away. But through therapy, art, writing, and the persistence of a few good friends, Mona starts to understand her Matter, and how she can turn their fears into strengths. Gulledge, Laura Lee. The Dark Matter of Mona Starr.
Graphic Novels GN Fic Gul Callie cuts herself. Never too deep, never enough to die. But enough to feel the pain. Enough to feel the scream inside. Now she's at Sea Pines, a "residential treatment facility" filled with girls struggling with problems of their own. Callie doesn't want to have anything to do with them. She doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone. Gradually, she comes to understand the reasons for her own actions and begins to get better. Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie.
Realistic Fic Son When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emtions, his school life, and his desire to support his family. Stokes, Maura. Fadeaway.
Sports Fic Sto Fourteen-year-old Sam is struggling to get by without her best friend, Reagan, who died suddenly the summer before high school, but Regan's "reappearance" only helps temporarily. Lippincott, Rachel. Five Feet Apart.
Sports Fic Lip Stella and Will, both suffering from cystic fibrosis, realize the only way to stay alive is to stay apart, but their love for each other is slowly pushing the boundaries of physical and emotional safety. Can you love someone you can never touch? Glasgow, Kathleen. Girl in Pieces.
Realistic Fiction Fic Gla As she struggles to recover and survive, seventeen-year-old homeless Charlotte "Charlie" Davis cuts herself to dull the pain of abandonment and abuse. Stokes, Maura. Goodbye Days.
Sports Fic Sto but Briggs never thought a simple text would cause a fatal crash, killing his three best friends: Mars, Eli, and Blake. Carver can't stop blaming himself for the accident, and a judge is pressuring the district attorney to open up a criminal investigation. Eli's girlfriend, Carver's therapist, and Blake's grandmother ask Carver to spend a "goodbye day" with them to share their memories and say a proper farewell. As other families ask for their own goodbye day with Carver, will it mean making peace with their losses, or bring Carver one stop closer to a complete breakdown--and possibly prison? Turner, Ann Warren. Hard Hit.
Sports Fic Tur A rising high school baseball star faces his most difficult challenge when his father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Bouchard, Herve. Harvey: How I Became Invisible.
Sports Fic Bou Harvey and his brother are on their way home after playing in the slushy streets of early spring when they discover that their father has died of a heart attack. McGinnis, Mindy. Heroine.
Sports Fic McG When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she has to find a way to hold on to her spot as the catcher for a team expected to make a historic tournament run. Behind the plate is the only place she's ever felt comfortable, and the painkillers she's been prescribed can help her get there. The pills do more than take away pain; they make her feel good. But as the pressure to be Mickey Catalan heightens, her need increases, and it becomes less about pain and more about want, something that could send her spiraling out of control. Niven, Jennifer. Holding Up the Universe.
Romance Fic McG No one takes the time to look past Libby Strout's weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom's death she picks up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now she's ready for high school, for new friends, for love-- for everything life has to offer. Jack Masselin's got swagger, he's mastered the impossible art of fitting in, and he has a newly acquired secret: he can't recognize faces. So he tries to never get too close to anyone. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game that which lands them in group counseling and community service, they make a connection. Will it be enough to change their worlds? Sanchez, Erika. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
Realistic Fic San Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family. But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed. But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. Geithner, Carole. If Only
Realistic Fic Gei Corinna's world is crushed after her mother dies of cancer. How does she get through the funeral, trays of ziti, a father who can't communicate, the first day of school, Mother's Day, people who don't know what to say, and the entire eighth-grade year? Despite her alienation from many of her peers, including her best friend, she succeeds in finding support. She dares to bare her innermost fears, hurts, and wishes, and even allows herself to have a flowering crush on a boy in the school band. She also finds out deep secrets about her mother which she never knew. It's a year that will change Corinna's life forever. Gephart, Donna. Lily and Dunkin.
Realistic Fic Gep Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you’re in the eighth grade. Dunkin Dorfman, birth name Norbert Dorfman, is dealing with bipolar disorder and has just moved from the New Jersey town he’s called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse. One summer morning, Lily Jo McGrother meets Dunkin Dorfman, and their lives forever change. Dellaira, Ava Love Letters to the Dead.
Realistic Fic Del It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more--though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Stork, Francisca. Marcelo in the Real World.
Realistic Fic Sto Marcelo Sandoval, a seventeen-year-old boy on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum, faces new challenges, including romance and injustice, when he goes to work for his father in the mailroom of a corporate law firm. Gino, Alex. Melissa's Story. (Our copy has the "George" cover).
Realistic Fic Gin When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part ... because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all. Dionne, Erin. Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies.
Realistic Fic Dio Thirteen-year-old Celeste Harris is no string bean, but comfy sweatpants and a daily chocolate cookie suit her just fine. Her under-the-radar lifestyle could have continued too, if her aunt hadn?t entered her in the HuskyPeach Modeling Challenge. To get out of it, she?s forced to launch Operation Skinny Celeste?because, after all, a thin girl can?t be a fat model! What Celeste never imagined was that losing weight would help her gain a backbone . . . or that all she needed to shine was a spotlight. Aceves, Fred. The New David Espinoza.
Sports Fic Ace David Espinoza is tired of being messed with. When a video of him getting knocked down by a bully’s slap goes viral at the end of junior year, David vows to use the summer to bulk up— do what it takes to become a man—and wow everyone when school starts again the fall. Soon David is spending all his time and money at Iron Life, a nearby gym that’s full of bodybuilders. Frustrated with his slow progress, his life eventually becomes all about his muscle gains. As it says on the Iron Life wall, What does not kill me makes me stronger. As David falls into the dark side of the bodybuilding world, pursuing his ideal body at all costs, he’ll have to grapple with the fact that it could actually cost him everything. Fitzsimmons, Isaac. The Passing Playbook.
Romance Fic Fit Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother, and a David Beckham in training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of isolation and bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio.At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boys' soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans—he's passing. But when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even though it would mean coming out to everyone—including the guy he's falling for. Friend, Natasha. Perfect.
Realistic Fic Fri Isabelle Lee is a typical, wisecracking, middle-of-the-pack girl who just happens to be dealing with some big issues. Her father has died and no one—especially her mother—wants to talk about it. Meanwhile, Isabelle’s sister, who “used to be nine and charming,” has messed everything up by ratting Isabelle out to their mom about her eating disorder. Isabelle has measured the distance to being cool and she thinks it’s long shiny hair, a toothpaste smile, and perfectly broken-in size-zero jeans. Wright, Bil. Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy.
Realistic Fic Wri Carlos Duarte knows that he’s fabulous. He’s got a better sense of style than half the fashionistas in New York City, and he can definitely apply makeup like nobody’s business. He may only be in high school, but when he lands the job of his dreams—makeup artist at the FeatureFace counter in Macy’s—he's sure that he’s finally on his way to great things. But the makeup artist world is competitive and cutthroat, and for Carlos to reach his dreams, he'll have to believe in himself more than ever. Van Draanen, Wendelin. The Running Dream.
Sports Fic Van Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She’s not comforted by the news that she’ll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. As she struggles to cope, Jessica feels that she’s both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don’t know what to say act like she’s not there. Jessica’s embarrassed to realize that she’s done the same to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she’s missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her. With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that’s not enough for her now. She doesn’t just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her. McGovern, Cammie. Say What You Will.
Realistic Fiction Fic McG Born with cerebral palsy, Amy can't walk without a walker, talk without a voice box, or even fully control her facial expressions. Plagued by obsessive-compulsive disorder, Matthew is consumed with repeated thoughts, neurotic rituals, and crippling fear. Both in desperate need of someone to help them reach out to the world, Amy and Matthew are more alike than either ever realized. When Amy decides to hire student aides to help her in her senior year at Coral Hills High School, these two teens are thrust into each other's lives. LeZotte, Ann Clare Show Me a Sign.
Realistic Fic Lez (also the sequel, Set Me Free) Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha's Vineyard. Her great-great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, over a hundred years later, many people there -- including Mary -- are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage. But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary's brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island's prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a "live specimen" in a cruel experiment. Her struggle to save herself is at the core of this penetrating and poignant novel that probes our perceptions of ability and disability. Murphy, Julie Side Effects May Vary.
Realistic Fic Mur When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs. So she convinces her best friend, Harvey, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge as it is about hope. But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission, and now she must face the consequences of all she's said and done. Asher, Diana Harmon Sidetracked.
Realistic Fic Ash If middle school were a race, Joseph Friedman wouldn't even be in last place--he'd be on the sidelines. With an overactive mind and phobias of everything from hard-boiled eggs to gargoyles, he struggles to understand his classes, let alone his fellow classmates. So he spends most of his time avoiding school bully Charlie Kastner and hiding out in the Resource Room, a safe place for misfit kids like him. But then, on the first day of seventh grade, two important things happen. First, his Resource Room teacher encourages (i.e., practically forces) him to join the school track team, and second, he meets Heather, a crazy-fast runner who isn't going to be pushed around by Charlie Kastner or anybody else. Ho, Joanna. The Silence That Binds Us.
Realistic Fic Ho Maybelline Chen isn’t the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter her mother expects her to be. May prefers hoodies over dresses and wants to become a writer. When asked, her mom can’t come up with one specific reason for why she's proud of her only daughter. May’s beloved brother, Danny, on the other hand, has just been admitted to Princeton. But Danny secretly struggles with depression, and when he dies by suicide, May's world is shattered. In the aftermath, racist accusations are hurled against May's parents for putting too much “pressure” on him. May’s father tells her to keep her head down. Instead, May challenges these ugly stereotypes through her writing. Yet the consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee. Who gets to tell our stories, and who gets silenced? It’s up to May to take back the narrative. Jones, Tracy Silhouetted by the Blue.
Realistic Fic Jon Seventh-grader Serena Shaw is trying to keep up at school while rehearsing for the lead role in the spring musical and dealing with a father so "blue" he is nearly catatonic. With the aid of a not-so-secret admirer, as well as a growing sense of self-confidence, she faces the challenges of caring for herself and her ball-of-charm younger brother―all while attempting to lead the life of a normal pre-teen. Stamper, Phil Small Town Pride.
Realistic Fic Sta Jake is just starting to enjoy life as his school’s first openly gay kid. While his family and friends are accepting and supportive, the same can’t be said about everyone in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio. When Jake’s dad hangs a comically large pride flag in their front yard in an overblown show of love, the mayor begins to receive complaints. A few people are even concerned the flag will lead to something truly outlandish: a pride parade. Except Jake doesn’t think that’s a ridiculous idea. Why can’t they hold a pride festival in Barton Springs? The problem is, Jake knows he’ll have to get approval from the town council, and the mayor won’t be on his side. And as Jake and his friends try to find a way to bring Pride to Barton Springs, it seems suspicious that the mayor’s son, Brett, suddenly wants to spend time with Jake. But someone that cute couldn’t possibly be in league with his mayoral mother, could he? Schmitt, Adam. Speechless.
Realistic Fic Sch As if being stuffed into last year’s dress pants at his cousin’s wake weren’t uncomfortable enough, thirteen-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can’t recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn’t result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it’s not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: it’s not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard. Fipps, Lisa Starfish.
Realistic Fic Fip Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules—like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." And she's found her safe space—her swimming pool—where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It's also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life--by unapologetically being her own fabulous self. Garvin, Jeff. Symptoms of Being Human.
Realistic Fic Gar A gender-fluid teenager who struggles with identity creates a blog on the topic that goes viral, and faces ridicule at the hands of fellow students. Ford, Michael Thomas. Suicide Notes.
Realistic Fic For Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year’s Day to find himself in the hospital—specifically, in the psychiatric ward. Despite the bandages on his wrists, he’s positive this is all some huge mistake. Jeff is perfectly fine, perfectly normal; not like the other kids in the hospital with him. But over the course of the next forty-five days, Jeff begins to understand why he ended up here—and realizes he has more in common with the other kids than he thought. Dessen, Sarah The Truth About Forever.
Realistic Fic Des The summer following her father's death, Macy plans to work at the library and wait for her brainy boyfriend to return from camp, but instead she goes to work at a catering business where she makes new friends and finally faces her grief. |
Non-Fiction Titles:
LGBTQ, bullying
racism, bullying, relationships
austism spectrum
LGBTQ -- variety of issues related to.
physical disabilities, self-perception
OCD (obsessive-compulsive)
LGBTQ, self-perception
death, grief
autism spectrum, bullying
depression
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Slater, Dashka. The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives
Non-Fiction 354.15 Sla One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren’t for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight. Joseph, Frederick. The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person.
Non-Fiction 305.8 Jos Frederick Joseph calls up race-related anecdotes from his past, explaining why they were hurtful and how he might handle things now. Touching on everything from cultural appropriation to power dynamics, "reverse racism" to white privilege, microaggressions to the tragic results of overt racism, this book serves as conversation starter and invaluable window into the life of a former "token Black kid" who now presents himself as the friend many readers need. Tammet, Daniel. Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant
Non-Fiction 921 Tam Daniel Tammet sees numbers as shapes, colors, and textures, and he can perform extraordinary calculations in his head. He can learn new languages from scratch, in a week. He has savant syndrome, a rare condition that gives him almost unimaginable mental powers. But in one crucial way Daniel is not at all like the Rain Man: he is virtually unique among autistic people in that he is capable of living an independent life. He is even able to explain what is happening inside his head. Starting from early childhood, when he was incapable of making friends and prone to tantrums, to young adulthood, when he learned how to control himself and to live independently, this is Daniel's story. Harris, Duchess. Growing Up LGBTQ
Non-Fiction 306.7 Har Growing Up LGBTQ explores what life is like for adolescents in the LGBTQ community, including topics like coming out, bullying and discrimination in school, and mental health. It also examines the creation of community and found family for LGBTQ people. Burcaw, Shane. Laughing At My Nightmare
Non-Fiction 921 Bur With acerbic wit and a hilarious voice, Shane Burcaw's Laughing at My Nightmare describes the challenges he faces as a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. From awkward handshakes to having a girlfriend and everything in between, Shane handles his situation with humor and a "you-only-live-once" perspective on life. While he does talk about everyday issues that are relatable to teens, he also offers an eye-opening perspective on what it is like to have a life threatening disease. Britz, Allison. Obsessed: a Memoir of My Life with OCD
Non-Fiction 616.85 Bri 15-year old Allison recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder--and bring readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side--in this powerful and inspiring memoir. Bird, Jackson. First. Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place.
Non-Fiction 921 Bir When Jackson Bird was twenty-five, he came out as transgender to his friends, family, and anyone in the world with an internet connection. Assigned female at birth and raised as a girl, he often wondered if he should have been born a boy. Growing up in Texas in the 1990s, he had no transgender role models. He barely remembers meeting anyone who was openly gay, let alone being taught that transgender people existed outside of punchlines. Jackson chronicles the ups and downs of growing up gender-confused. With warmth and wit, Jackson also recounts how he navigated the many obstacles and quirks of his transition—like figuring out how to have a chest binder delivered to his NYU dorm room and having an emotional breakdown at a Harry Potter fan convention. From his first shot of testosterone to his eventual top surgery, Jackson lets you in on every part of his journey—taking the time to explain trans terminology and little-known facts about gender and identity along the way. Grollman, Earl. Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers: How to Cope With Someone You Love.
Non-Fiction 155.9 Gro Suggests ways to deal with the grief and other emotions felt after the death of a loved one and to discover how to go on living. Montgomery, Sy. Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World.
Non-Fiction 921 Gra When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew that she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. While Temple's doctor and father both recommended an institution, her mother believed in her. Temple went to school instead. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. As an advocate for autism, Temple uses her experience as an example of the unique contributions that autistic people can make. Cobain, Bev. When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens
Non-Fiction 616.85 Cob A guide to understanding and coping with depression, discussing the different types, how and why the condition begins, how it may be linked to substance abuse or suicide, and how to get help. A guide to understanding and coping with depression, discussing the different types, how and why the condition begins, how it may be linked to substance abuse or suicide, and how to get help. Written for teens with depression -- and those who feel despondent, dejected, or alone -- this powerful book offers help, hope, and potentially life-saving facts and advice. |