Looking for books and resources to help kids 8+ navigate tough situations? OCDaniel, by Wesley King Perhaps you want to learn how someone going through a health challenge may feel. This tender middle-grade novel takes on tough topics like mental health, homophobia and divorce without overwhelming or talking down to young readers. Matthew suffers from severe OCD that was brought on from the death of his baby brother. Recently, I have had several parents seeking out books about LGBTQ+ and Mental Health topics. In a fit of rage after his father’s death, Arthur hurls a brick at the “Junk Man,” a local trash picker. These have received rave reviews from young readers on Bookopolis.com, a social network and book discovery tool where kids can write reviews and swap book recommendations with friends. They are the in-between-books for readers who have outgrown chapter books like the Magic Tree House series, or popular books like the Big Nate series, and are too young to emotionally handle or enjoy themes and ideas found in young adult books. Chirp finds comfort with the birds surrounding her in Cape Cod as well as her friend and neighbor, Joey, who is dealing with “significant issues” at home as well. Middle grade readers will love this unforgettable tale of healing, friendship, and transformation. Either way, these books deserve a spot on your reading list: “Firstborn children tend to be a bit smarter on average.” She’s quick to add that, while this IQ difference shows up when researchers examine very large groups of people, it often disappears or flip-flops within individual families—meaning lots and lots of second- and third-borns have higher IQs than their older sibs. By submitting my email, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If you’re a person who likes dolphins, friendship, adventure, and fighting for what is right, this book is for you.”. middle grade; chapter books; ... May is Mental Health Awareness Month and to celebrate, here is a list of books that contain characters living with neurodiversity and/or mental illnesses. For this list of book ideas, I am using the term to consider issues like anxiety, OCD, depression, and ADD/ADHD that are relevant to many kids and families. The Everwood is a fictional forest kingdom of Finley’s own creation that lives only in the pages of her notebook—or so she thinks until she discovers it’s real and lies in the endless woods behind her grandparents’ house. Get the latest on books and authors from Penguin Random House. Perhaps you’re looking for a character to relate to. The book’s scope also makes it a great introduction to mental health disorders. This … Annie suffers from panic attacks and an eating disorder in this powerful debut middle grade novel, and at her therapist’s recommendation, she is offered an unstructured summer of freedom with her parents at their lake house—away from her fake friends and controlling mother’s spreadsheets and rigid scheduling. Hardcover Faith, 11, raves, “It's great book for anyone who needs to put their umbrella down.’” Young readers will also love the companion novel, Lost in the Sun that explores how Trent, the kid who hit the hockey puck that killed Annie’s brother, deals with this tragedy and what happens when their paths intersect. Swing Sideways, by Nanci Turner Steveson Morgan, 10, says, “I really liked this book because it's a story that will touch your heart. $6.99. Some Kind of Happiness, by Claire Legrand Finley finds herself on an adventure to uncover the secrets and save Everwood — and herself. Just before Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein starts sixth grade, her professional dancer mother begins experiencing symptoms that are eventually diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. While it’s debatable whether synesthesia is a brain condition or not, I included this book on this list as her story is relatable to any kid who feels “different” from others. Chirp must navigate her own emotions as well as her relationships with her sister, parents, and classmates while watching her mom struggle. Middle Grade Books That Tackle Mental Illness. Picture Books. Also, the IQ a… The aspiring young writer’s life becomes even more complicated when Sara, a selectively mute girl at school who hasn’t spoken once in the eight years Daniel has known her, institutes him to help her solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. $7.99. Mental Illness In The Middle Ages Medieval ideas about mental illness were almost as bewildering an assortment as our own, but a unifying theme was supplied by the cognitive theory outlined here. Eleven-year-old Jack awakens in his tent in Acadia National Park to find his mom, her gear, and their car gone—a disconcerting scenario for him but one that’s not all that surprising. Youanna, 11, raves, this is “the best book I have ever read! This highly engaging and emotional story teaches major life lessons about redemption and the power of kindness as well as shows the potential of recovery from grief. And others find inspiration from reading sad but hopeful books where the lead character perseveres and succeeds despite any mental health issues and trials that life throws at them. The diagnosis sends her mom, Hannah, into a spiraling depression, and her psychiatrist father ends up admitting her to a psychiatric hospital. Then, the toddler next door goes missing and he was the last one to see the child alive. Daniel has spent his life trying to hide his obsessive compulsive disorder from his friends and other kids at school. Kids need to know that if they or someone in their family has a mental health condition, they are not alone. Kids who crave realistic fiction where main characters struggle with dysfunctional family problems will love these selections. Thankfully, she has her list-making and the Everwood into which she can retreat. Tommy Can’t Stop by Tim Federle (ADHD) 2. For some, reading this category of books makes them feel more at ease with whatever social/emotional/mental struggles they are dealing with at school and home. Here are 15 books to read this month to help start a conversation and #endthestigma. This happened once before when he was only 7. Fantasy and reality blend seamlessly in this amazing and touching coming-of-age tale. Mental health books for kids | Wellbeing books for children. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults experiences a mental health issue every year, and half of mental health conditions begin by age 14. Paperback Unraveling Rose by Brian Wray (obsessive compulsive disorder) 3. 8 Middle Grade Books with Families Touched by Mental Illness, According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Head to Your Local B&N Saturday, January 25th for a Storytime Event Featuring, Head to Your Local B&N Saturday, January 18th for a Storytime Event Featuring, Head to Your Local B&N Saturday, January 11th for a Storytime Event Featuring, Head to Your Local B&N Saturday, January 4th for a Storytime Event Featuring, 4 Children’s Books to Help Families Celebrate the Lunar New Year. Worst of all, Mysti’s father has just been hospitalized and is in a coma after falling off a ladder, leaving Mysti home alone with her little sister and mother, who can’t even go to the store to replenish their groceries. 1. readership : 8 – 13 years 2. word count : approximately 30,000 – 55,000 words 3. characters’ ages : 9 – 14 years “There is one finding that has been replicated multiple times,” Rohrer says. Mysti’s strength and bravery is inspiring as she faces her fears in this well-written tale that celebrates life’s little victories. Middle Grade Matters is here to help! When Daniel gets a mysterious note asking for help, he finds himself part of a huge mystery that takes him on a whirlwind of adventures and emotions that change how he sees the world. It was generally believed that the normal waking person’s activities were under the control of the mind. He’s afraid they’ll send him back to live with his “evil” grandmother, so he sets off alone for his home in Boston. The Best Informational Books for Toddlers, The Most-Anticipated Picture Books of 2021, Kid-Approved Books for Struggling Second and Third Grade Readers, The 50 Best Books for 11- and 12-Year-Olds, 15 Classics That 8- to 12-Year-Olds Say Are Worth Reading Today, The Most Exciting Middle Grade & Chapter Books Hitting Shelves in 2021, The Best YA Books Being Published in 2021, 10 Books That Promote Positive Thinking in Teens, Pride and Less Prejudice: LGBTQIA+ Books for Teens, By submitting my email, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's. Was only 7 these are not alone daniel ’ s farm in many cases, when Everwood becomes a physical! Daniel has spent his life trying to hide his obsessive compulsive disorder ) 3 or down. Who experience the same since her much-loved older brother died when he was the last one see. Their ups and downs of their friendship help Annie to see that closing your umbrella sadness... 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