Wilma Jean worries all of the time. In the book strategies are taught to Wilma to teach her to face her anxiety. Her proactive mother and helpful teacher give hope to worriers everywhere. Great examples of cognitive behavior therapy for students.
Personal Thoughts: Wilma Jean is typical of many students who struggle with anxiety. The teacher gives her tools that help and these seem to be a fix all. In reality these will need to be revisited on regular occasions. I really liked how the book talked about things that students can and can't control and giving ways to control some aspects of life. I also like how they use the hat as a tool to let go of things that can't be controlled. Cook, J. (2012). Wilma jean the worry machine. Chattanooga, TN: National Center for Youth Issues. |
RJ just doesn't like the sound of "no." He has to learn about limits. At the start of the book many adults get into a power struggle with RJ when he tries to get them to say something other than no to his requests. His wise teacher gives him steps to accept "no," and also disagree with others in a good way. The wise teacher also shows how to give rewards that are both tangible and non tangible. RJ even surprises his mom.
Personal Thoughts: RJ is a fun character if you follow him though all of his books. He really has a hard time conforming to the world and yet he keeps trying with the help of his family and his teacher. This set of books offers a character students can identify with and lessons that teachers can utilize in the classroom. I have used this set many times and find it a useful tool in the classroom. Cook, J. (2011). I just don't like the sound of no! Boys Town, NE: Boys Town Press. |
Wren has defied everything her family and teachers have tried to do with her. She has a set of "friends" who cause endless trouble. She has broken the law times and hurt her family innumerable times but always justifies her actions. When the adults in her life have finally had enough they send her into the wilderness to learn self reliance and how to work as a team. This journey may end her or it may give her the strength to change her life.
Van Drannen, W. (2017). Wild bird. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers. Personal Thoughts: I listened to this book on tape with my 12 year old daughter. Wren is very typical of an angry out of control student. I found her anger and justification of behaviors to be very real as well as her reactions to life in a wilderness camp. I found a few of the characters to be stereotypical and wished that the author had not type cast some of her pivotal players. My daughter identified with the selfishness of the main character and talked to me at length about poor decisions and feeling sorry for oneself. |
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Elizabeth has found herself in a treatment center dedicated to helping girls who have eating disorders. Anorexia has caused Elizabeth to lose much more than just weight. On her way to recovery she learns about the struggles of others, family dynamics, and relationships. The book also discusses physical and mental issues caused by anorexia. The book demonstrates that eating disorders are much more complex that a simple choice.
Van Drannen, W. (2017). Wild bird. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers. Personal Thoughts: Mothers have a huge influence on the thought patterns of their daughters and weight obsession is one that can easily be misconstrued. The need for health and finding a balance must be taught from an early age. I didn't really care for the idea of Elizabeth finding a new relationship when she was needing to focus on getting better. I like that so many people can identify with this realistic character. |
Mel is a teenager dealing not only with regular teen issues but also mental illness, and the loss of her brother. Her bipolar disorder is not disclosed to others outside of her family and this causes her difficulties as she tries to manage mood swings and friendships. The author does a great job of putting Mel the person into perspective rather than strictly identifying her though her disability.
Lindstrom, E. (2017). A tragic kind of wonderful. New York, NY: Poppy. Personal Thoughts: The best part of this book was when Mel was told bipolar is what she had not who she was. The author really understands that people are not their disability. Bi polar was an undertone in the book and not the end all be all of the story. This helps the character seem more realistic. Using animals to identify her moods and feelings was an interesting way to bring out the differences. |
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Told from the viewpoint of both mother and son this book tells the life of Sean Barron and his family. Sean had a difficult childhood due to Autism in a time when the disability was blamed on the mother and little was know in ways to help those who were diagnosed. The Barron family tried therapy, public schools,and a private school. Judy and Sean feel that the breakthrough in their life came from watching a documentary about another boy with Autism. Sean has now gone on to have a successful adulthood quiet different from his childhood.
Barron, J., & Barron, S. (2002). There's a boy in here: emerging from the bonds of autism. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. Personal Thoughts: This little boy and family are real and so many people identify with the heartache and frustration of the Barron family. One of my friends told me, "this was my life, someone wrote my life." I have a hard time feeling that Sean was "cured." I am afraid that this could give false hope to people desperate for change that may never come to them. I also feel that the book identifies that people with autism can lead successful happy lives and that the children may not view the world the same but they are still aware and members of our society. We can learn a lot from Sean's perspective. |