Ocdaniel

From the author of Incredible Space Raiders from Space! comes a brand-new coming-of-age story about a boy whose life revolves around hiding his obsessive compulsive disorder-until he gets a mysterious note that changes everything.

Fostering Mental Health Literacy through Adolescent Literature provides educators a starting point for engaging students in the study of adolescent literature that features mental health themes with the intended goal of developing students’ mental health literacy while simultaneously attending to English Language Arts content and literacy standards. Each chapter, co-authored by a literacy expert and mental health specialist, features a specific adolescent novel and provides middle and high school teachers background information on the novel’s featured mental health theme(s), along with pedagogical approaches for guiding readers into, through, and out of the novel. In doing so, this text seeks to raise awareness of mental health issues thereby reducing associated stigma and normalizing individual and peer mental health experiences for all adolescents.

“It’s the vivid, insightful depiction of Sara’s internal struggles that readers will remember.” —Booklist In this prequel to the Edgar Award–winning OCDaniel, fan-favorite Sara quests for “normal” and finds something even better along the way. Sara’s Rules to Be Normal 1. Stop taking your pills 19. Make a friend 137. Don’t put mayonnaise on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Sara wants one thing: to be normal. What she has instead are multiple diagnoses from Dr. Ring. Sara’s constant battle with False Alarm—what she calls panic attacks—and other episodes cause her to isolate herself. She rarely speaks, especially not at school, and so she doesn’t have any friends. But when she starts group therapy she meets someone new. Talkative and outgoing Erin doesn’t believe in “normal,” and Sara finds herself in unfamiliar territory: at the movies, at a birthday party, and with someone to tell about her crush—in short, with a friend. But there’s more to Erin than her cheerful exterior, and Sara begins to wonder if helping Erin will mean sacrificing their friendship.

“In many ways, this book is the resource I wish I had had.” How do you make time for therapy while raising kids? How do you tell the difference between healthy parental instincts and OCD symptoms? How does OCD affect parenting, and what can be done about it? After becoming a father of twins and receiving a diagnosis of OCD within the same three months, author Jason Adams found himself stuck in his search for answers to these questions, with little time and energy available for getting help. Fast forward to present times, and Jason is living a happy, bustling life with his family. The stories, struggles and strategies that brought him to mental and emotional health became this, a uniquely relatable and practical support resource for anyone trying to work on their mental health and care for their family at the same time. Whether you’re managing OCD yourself, supporting a loved one, or just keen to know more, there truly is something in this book for everyone.

Featuring 500 diverse book recommendations covering a wide range of subjects, this preteen and teen reading guide is a “go-to resource for parents, students of young adult literature, teachers, and librarians” (School Library Journal). Needed now more than ever: a guide that includes 500 reading recommendations for preteens and teens with the goal of inspiring greater empathy for themselves, their peers, and the world around them. As young people are diagnosed with anxiety and depression in increasing numbers, or dealing with other issues that can isolate them from family and friends—such as bullying, learning disabilities, racism, or homophobia—characters in books can help them feel less alone. And just as important, reading books that feature a diverse range of real-life topics helps generate openness, empathy, and compassion in all kids. Reading lists are organized around topics, including: • Adoption and foster care • Body image • Immigration • Learning challenges • LGBTQIA+ youth • Mental health • Nature and environmentalism • Physical disability • Poverty and homelessness • Race and ethnicity • Religion and spirituality Each chapter explores a particular issue affecting preteens and teens today and includes a list of recommended related books—all published within the last decade. Recommendations are grouped by age: those appropriate for middle-grade readers and those for teens. Better with Books is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, therapists, and all caregivers who recognize the power of literature to improve young readers’ lives.

With this unique approach to literature circles, our students are reading more, are writing more and are excited about talking about their books! The enthusiasm in the class is contagious with even our more reluctant readers wanting more time – and more books - to read. It is a pleasure to join a group and participate in the conversation. Our students’ ability to make deep connections to one and other and to their reading is amazing. Tanis Anderson, Literacy Programme Consultant, K-12 and a team of Burnaby teachers Grand Conversations, Thoughtful Responses is built upon the premise that all students can become active, independent, thoughtful readers. The structures and strategies in this book are proven to help students develop confidence and competence in their reading. Student engagement with text soars through participation in grand conversations with peers and reflecting on reading with thoughtful, written responses. This unique approach includes: student choice in books students reading at their own pace, thus creating flexible groups literature circle groups where students discuss the shared text they are reading strategies for teaching written response strategies for co-creating assessment criteria additional activities to develop and deepen comprehension book lists

Schools and libraries can make a difference by teaching kids how to identify and cope with emotions, how to communicate with confidence and empathy, and how to persevere even when things are difficult. The authors of this helpful text define transformative social-emotional learning and its impact on students and schools. They present current brain research to support social-emotional programming in a whole school program with collaborative lesson ideas adaptable to all age levels for the use of counselors, librarians, administrators, classroom teachers, and all special area teachers. All lessons provide lists of extended student and faculty readings. Illustrating and highlighting how social-emotional programming helps foster and transform the culture of a school to one of belonging and acceptance, the authors also provide necessary application lessons for all educators in all areas of a school, including ideas for such common areas as playgrounds, cafeterias, classrooms, and libraries, and even ideas for implementation by school administrators. Research cited predicts desired outcomes, including a culture of belonging, increased student engagement and achievement, and a more compassionate school staff. Ideas and activities provided for professional development for educators benefit students and staff alike.