May is Mental Health Awareness month. Many young people are dealing with issues that can isolate them from family and friends, perhaps now more than ever—among them depression, anxiety, racism, and homophobia—and relating to characters in novels who face similar challenges can help them feel less alone. With so many bookstores and libraries closed we can’t easily turn to those experts we rely on to recommend the right books to fit our children’s needs. In her book Better with Books: 500 Diverse Books to Ignite Empathy and Encourage Self-Acceptance in Tweens and Teens, author Melissa Hart has compiled 22 book lists covering 11 different topics to help children find comfort and perspective through books. These topics include body image, poverty, learning challenges, and more. Over the next couple of months we are going to share a few of the lists that we hope will help you and family navigate life during these uncertain times.
Mental Health Awareness Reading Lists for Preteens
Mental Health Awareness Reading Lists for Teens
Better With Books reading lists will be back in June with book lists relating to learning challenges. If you find this list helpful, let us know in the comments or shoot us a message on Instagram!
