Divorce and Stepfamilies (Teen Mental Health)

Gr 7 Up-Impressive presentations of difficult emotional topics. Death covers the grieving process, changes in survivors after a death, and reacting to and risks for suicide. Divorce helps teens cope with the many changes that divorce and remarriage can create. In School Violence, the authors discuss watching for warning signs, campus measures to improve safety and security, and types of conflict and conflict resolution. Self-Image addresses self-esteem and negative body image. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, orthorexia nervosa, and compulsive exercise, along with related health and emotional problems. The books discuss techniques for coping and encourage teens to seek out available resources such as professional help, support groups, or school programs. The books do not use case studies or true-life stories; instead the texts address readers as "you," making them part of the experience. The authors' reassuring tone gives positive and practical advice, assuring readers that the steps take time, effort, and work, but that they can recover and adjust. Captioned color photographs depict a multicultural representation of teens. Excellent resources for young people searching for answers for their own troubles, trying to help someone else, or even adults trying to better understand their children.-June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

These newest additions to the Teen Mental Health series tackle topics that are at once timely and timeless in adolescents’ lives. After a brief look at how custody works, Divorce and Stepfamilies focuses on adjusting to life after a divorce, including living in multiple homes, dealing with a parent’s new marriage, and entering a stepfamily. All of these easy-to-read books emphasize seeking support from friends, family, and counselors and even suggest “10 Great Questions to Ask a Guidance Counselor.” Other features include “Myths and Facts” (such as the myth that only females worry about their bodies and self-image), a glossary, and a list of related organizations. These titles are good beginning resources for both health reports and personal research. Grades 7-10. --Angela Leeper