Nonfiction Books for Teens

The Adolescent Depression Workbook - Mary Ellen Copeland and Stuart Copans (1998)
This book was written to help adolescents who are depressed, sad, thinking about hurting themselves, dropping out of their old activities that used to make them feel good about themselves, and irritable and/or angry with their parents. Used successfully by other young adults, this book will help you through the process of finding help for yourself and getting on the road to feeling happy and healthy.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning - Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Kimberly Kirberger (1997)
This book, the latest in the hugely popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, contains stories, poems, and cartoons relating to the specific troubles that traumatize teenagers everywhere. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul doesn't shy away from the big issues, with essays on suicide, dying young, and drunk driving. This book stems from the knowledge that teens know their own concerns best-thus, much of the book is written by teens themselves, which gives the book a very accessible, informal tone. Also, the authors had each piece evaluated by as many teenagers as possible.

Death is hard to live with: teenagers talk about how they cope with loss - Janet Bode (1993)
Employing her trademark technique, Bode shares information gleaned from numerous interviews with teenagers who have been touched by the death of a relative or friend and with adults such as therapists, funeral directors, and religious leaders. Rituals surrounding death in a variety of religions and cultures are also discussed.

Depression: What It Is, How To Beat It - Linda Wasmer Smith (2000)
In this book for teenagers, author Linda Wasmer Smith explains what causes depression, how to figure out whether someone is depressed, and what treatments and other resources exist to conquer the illness. She includes true stories of teenagers who have been depressed and describes how they have dealt with the problem.

Depression Is the Pits, But I'm Getting Better : A Guide for Adolescents - E. Jane Garland (1998)
A clear and user-friendly guide that will be of value to anyone suffering from depression.

Don't Be Sad: A Teenager's Guide To Handling Stress, Anxiety and Depression - Susan Newman (1991)
10+ Taking the view that teenage years are more complex and difficult these days, freelancer Newman uses individual cases to demonstrate problems with academic pressure, divorce, bulimia, pregnancy, and other issues. The format is easy to follow: a profile complemented by multicultural photos, followed by bulleted ``facts to focus on'' and ``moving in the right direction.'' Resources; bibliography; index.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens - Richard Carlson (2000)
Gr. 9-12. Without talking down to his readers or minimizing the intensity of difficulties they may be handling, Carlson offers 100 insightful suggestions for dealing with everything from stress to recognizing the meaningful contributions in every moment of life. His message will surely resonate with teens, even those who are skeptical or uncertain about how reframing their thinking can change their lives. Carlson clearly holds teens in high regard in this small book with a big heart

Fire In My Heart, Ice In My Veins - Enid Samuel Traisman (1992)
This is a journal that encourages teenagers to work through their grief in a creative and healthy way. It allows them to keep permanent memories of the person that died. It also gives them skills to help them throughout their life when faced with grief and loss.

Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen (1993)
When Kaysen was 18, in 1967, she was admitted to McLean Psychiatric Hospital outside Boston, where she would spend the next 18 months. Now, 25 years and two novels (Far Afield, 1990; Asa, As I Knew Him, 1987) later, she has come to terms with the experience- -as detailed in this searing account. In the series of snapshots that follows, Kaysen writes as lucidly about the dark jumble inside her head as she does about the hospital routines, the staff, the patients.

The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends -
Helen Fitzgerald (2000)
Writing not only about but also for teenagers, Fitzgerald adeptly covers the entire range of situations in which teens may find themselves grieving a death, whether the cause was old age, terminal illness, school violence, or suicide. She helps teens address the gamut of strong and difficult emotions they will experience and the new situations they will face, including family changes, issues with friends, problems at school, and the courage needed to move forward with one's own life.

Happiness Is a Choice for Teens - Paul D. Meier and Jan Meier (Contributor) (1996)
Dr. Paul Meier and his wife, Jan, have the lessons of raising six children to draw on as they present Happiness Is a Choice for Teens, reading especially for the teenager.

Highs! Over 150 Ways to Feel Really Good…Without Alcohol or other Drugs - Alex J. Packer, PhD (2000)
Dr. Alex Packer tells teenagers to say yes-to drug-free ways to get a rush, alter consciousness, find serenity, and feel out of this world with HIGHS! Packer--a psychologist, former headmaster, and president of a nationally recognized provider of drug education and prevention services--turns not using alcohol and other drugs into the coolest possible option and the pursuit of pleasure into a real trip.

I Will Remember You: What to Do When Someone You Love Dies: A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens - Laura Dower and Elena Lister (2001)
I Will Remember You is an inspirational and accessible guide to coping with loss. It includes personal stories of death and life from real teens, advice from a renowned grief counselor, and dozens of hands-on creative exercises to help teens move through their pain and sorrow . . . into tomorrow.

If High School Is a Game, Here's How to Break the Rules: A Cutting Edge Guide to Becoming Yourself -
Cherie Carter-Scott and Kimberly Kirberger (2001)
Gr 7-10- In this compilation of self-help/improvement tips, Carter-Scott provides 10 chapters of "teen truths." Rules addressed are actually discussions and anecdotal accounts of individuals and how they faced the problems of change and choices; friendships and romantic relationships; questioning authority; making mistakes; and lifestyles (drugs, alcohol, tobacco).

Life happens: A Teenager's Guide To Friends, Failure, Sexuality, Love, Rejection, Addiction, Peer pressure, Families, Loss, Depression, Change and Other Challenges of Living - Kathy McCoy and Charles Wibbelsman (1996)
Gr. 7-12. The authors of The New Teenage Body Book (1992) explore what they call "common crises" and suggest, in an expanded checklist form, ways to get past problems and move on with life. There are also helpful, clear-cut sections explaining depression and describing what to expect from a mental health specialist, as well as continued emphasis on the benefits of being open about feelings.

Part of Me Died, Too: Stories of Creative Survival Among Bereaved Children and Teenagers - Virginia Lynn Fry (1995)
A hospice artist, Fry suggests, in these eleven case histories, some creative activities that can help children and teenagers deal with the death of someone close to them. The chapters cover such experiences as the death of a pet, a grandparent, or members of the immediate family through cancer, AIDS, accidents, and suicide.

The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens - Richard E. PhD Nelson, Judith C. Galas, and Pamela Espeland (Editor) (1994)
Recognizing that young people have the power to be suicide preventers, this book offers positive, practical, step-by-step advice that can save lives.

Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America - Elizabeth Wurtzel (1997)
A memoir of a depressed, heavily medicated young woman who identifies with Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and other tragic figures--and fantasizes about being profiled as a tragic suicide in New York magazine.

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls - Mary Pipher (1994)
With sympathy and focus, Pipher cites case histories to illustrate the struggles required of adolescent girls to maintain a sense of themselves. Pipher offers concrete suggestions for ways by which girls can build and maintain a strong sense of self.

Skin Game - Caroline Kettlewell (1999)
A memoir of self-mutilation by a woman who grew up cutting herself with razors in an attempt to relieve the depression and anxiety she felt.

Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens - Terrie Williams (2001)
Gr. 6-10. In Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens, Williams breaks down what she believes are common negative adolescent attitudes ("It's all about money", "How I talk is my business," etc.) and then goes on to challenge the reader to reassess those attitudes and turn them around.

Straight Talk About Anxiety and Depression - Michael Maloney and Rachel Kranz (1991)
Michael Maloney and Rachel Kranz speak candidly to their teenage audience, about anxiety and depression-causes, symptoms, how to cope with them, where to seek help, even what to do when someone you know is depressed. They use brief case studies featuring teenagers to emphasize their points and provide continuity. They describe several ways that teenagers can themselves cope with stress, including self-affirmation strategies, relaxation, meditation, food and exercise, and journal writing. After suggesting several lines of defense against extreme anxiety or lingering depression-hotlines, support groups, counseling-they provide descriptions and contact information for more than forty agencies that can help troubled teenagers.

Stress-Just Chill Out! (Teen Issues) - Jo Anne Adler (1997)
This informative and comprehensive guide addresses sources and symptoms of teen stress, as well as coping and prevention strategies. The text's matter-of-fact tone and real-life scenarios about school, family, sexuality, and drugs will appeal to teenage readers. Relaxation exercises and sources of professional help are appended.

The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times - Al Desetta (Editor) and Sybil Wolin, PhD (Editor) (2000)
How a teen gets through a tough situation by gathering the inner strength necessary to remain positive, learn from it, and move on is the difference between being a resilient teen and becoming just another statistic. The Struggle To Be Strong proves that resilent teens can get through difficult times and be ready for the next challenge.

Teens and Depression (Other America series) - Gail B. Stewart (1998)
Gr. 6-12. In this volume in the Other America series, Stewart introduces four children under 18's experiences with clinical depression and bipolar disorder. The in-depth accounts reveal each individual's personal history, detailing the possible causes of the depression, such as physical or sexual abuse, and the events leading to treatment.

Teens, Depression and the Blues - Kathleen Winkler (2000)
The six chapters define depression and related disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. The colorful, upbeat format will appeal to reluctant readers. The list for further reading, chapter notes, and Web sites are all up-to-date and are evidence of a well-researched book.

Ups & Downs : How to Beat the Blues and Teen Depression (Plugged In) - Susan Klebanoff, Ellen Luborsky and Andy Cooke (Illustrator) (1999)
This book from the Plugged In series discusses how to recognize depression in teens and what to do about it. The text is informal yet informative, using quotes and case studies representing typical young people who are dealing with mood swings, eating disorders, and problems at school or at home. The book also demystifies therapy and advises readers on how to seek help, particularly if they (or their friends) have suicidal thoughts. Cartoonlike drawings add visual appeal. An appendix lists hotlines for concerns such as abuse, mental health, and suicide prevention, and a number of mental health organizations with their addresses, phone numbers, and Web sites.

When Living Hurts : For Teenagers and Young Adults: A Lively What-To-Do Book for Yourself or Someone You Care About Who Feels Discouraged, Sad, Lonely - Sol Gordon (1985)
This insightful and compassionate book is a helpful and thorough crisis intervention guide that is suitable for use by professionals, those considering suicide, and people who want to help others who are in personal turmoil. Helps readers interpret early warning signals and get help.

When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens - Bev Cobain, Elizabeth Verdick (Editor), and Jeff Tolbert (Illustrator) (1998)
A guide to understanding and coping with depression, discussing the different types, how and why the condition begins, how it may be linked to substance abuse or suicide, and how to get help.

Magazines for Teens

Foster Teen magazine
Published by Foster Care Youth United, this magazine is written by teenagers in the New York City foster care system.

Healing Magazine-Giving Kids Confidence to Overcome Crisis
"Healing" is an award-winning periodical that contains practical, clinical information for children's professionals and parents. Review abstracts of "Healing" articles by selecting a topic or issue from the list below. From there, you can go right to the complete articles.

Say Aahhh! Magazine for Hospitalized Teens
In the late 1980's, 14 yr old Kirstin Erickson was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer. Although her chances of a full recovery seemed strong, the disease eventually took her life. Kirsten's family set up the Kirsten Erickson Memorial Teen Fund, and that fund has supported Say Aahhh™, initially released in July, 2001. Say Aahhh!0 consists of many groups and individuals coming together in a co-creative effort to bring Awareness, Education and Healing to teens in crisis, their families, and the health care professionals who share the experiences with them.

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