Friday, April 16, 2010

Books about Troubled Teens or kids?

Does anyone know of any good books about troubled teens? Books about teens in crises, drug addiction, alcohol, eating disorders, child abuse etc... I am a case manager for at risk teens and youth and would like to let my kids read books about kids that went through the same things that they are going through so they do not feel so alone. thanls

Books about Troubled Teens or kids?
Mercy Unbound by Kim Antieau (eating disorder and possible mental illness)


Invisible by Pete Hautman (mental illness)


The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon (failed suicide attempt/depression)


Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (rape)


Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (rape and eating disorder)


Candy by Kevin Brooks (drug addiction)
Reply:Books by Jim Carroll (The Basketball Diaries and the Downtown Diaries are two of the best) draw from his experiences as a young man when he went from a promising student athlete to a drug addict…and back out of that to a successful writer.
Reply:go ask alice - by anonymas
Reply:Jennifer Lauck's "Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found"
Reply:Vision Quest by Terry Davis





This is one of the most real-world inspiring and beautifully understated pieces of fiction that I have read. The protagonist, Louden Swain, is a 17-and 18-year-old who is doing his very best to become the best (the most alive, capable) person he can figure out how to become. It's durned good to see such a life as Louden's promoted in a fine piece of writing instead of the maladjusts we often find in contemporary, "cool" literature. Although Vision Quest is listed as a young adult title, the writing transcends that genre. This is not so much a book for adolescent readers (although they'll likely enjoy it) as it is a fun read for adults who powerfully connect with good novels. The ending: it's downright perfect. The wrestling match between Louden and his opponent is not the point of the story. The journey of becoming is what matters here.
Reply:Tobias Wolff's "This Boy's Life"
Reply:I read "Smashed" by Koren Zailckas - it's an easy read but not very dramatic, I don't know if you'd need something dramatic to keep a kid's attention. Maybe you can try James Frey's "A million little pieces," even though parts of it, as it turns out are not true......... shouldn't troubled kids be reading happy books?
Reply:probably blind faith, I read that book, it's really good, with an odd twist.
Reply:there is an old book called "it happened to Nancy" that is really popular.





And a new book called "Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen..the book includes how a girl lost all her friends in school and her sister's eating disorder. it is really good.


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