Books for teenagers and adults
The selection of books and materials below has been put together based on recommendations received from child and adolescent mental health professionals.
Adoption
- How it Feels to be Adopted Jill Krementz, Knopf ISBN 0575034254,
19 boys and girls, from age 8-16 and from every social background, confide their feelings about this crucial fact.
ADHD
- Putting on the Brakes: Young People’s Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Patricia, Quinn and Judith Stern, Magination Press ISBN 1557988323
When young people learn they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they often have many questions, doubts and fears. Written from both a paediatric and an educational perspective, this book attempts to address these questions and needs.
- You Mean I'’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy? A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder Katy Kelly, Peggy Ramundo and Larry Silver, Simon & Schuster ISBN 06848815311
Provides practical advice on controlling adult ADD. A straightforward guide explains how to get along in groups, become organised, improve memory and pursue professional help.
- Driven to Distraction: Recognising and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood Edward Hallowell and John Ratey, Simon & Schuster ISBN 0684801280
This book dispels a variety of myths about Attention Deficit Disorder
- Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception Thom Hartmann, Newleaf ISBN 0717128652
Provides helpful advice on Attention Deficit Disorder
- Women with Attention Deficit Disorder: Embracing Disorganisation at Home and in the Workplace Sari Solden, Underwood Books Inc ISBN 1887424059,
This book explains that ADD is an equal opportunity disorder that affects just as many women as men.
- Help4ADD@Highschool Kathleen Nadeau, Advantage Books ISBN 0966036611
A book that teens with ADHD will want to read. Designed as a "web-site" that young people can surf. It’s user friendly, on target book that provides straight talk on high school, drugs, sex, friends, parents, college and much more from an ADHD perspective.
Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
- Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome: A User Guide to Adolescence Luke Jackson Jessica Kingsley Publishers ISBN 1843100983
Have you ever been called a freak or a geek? Have you ever felt like one? Luke Jackson is 13 years old and has Asperger Syndrome. Over the years Luke has learned to laugh at such names but there are other aspects of life that are more difficult. Adolescence and the teenage years is a minefield of emotions, transitions and decisions and when a child has Asperger Syndrome the result is often explosive. Luke writes briefly about his younger autistic and AD/HD brothers providing amusing insights into the antics of his younger years and advice for parents, carers and teachers of younger AS children.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time Mark Haddon, Vintage ISBN 0099450259
A murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone, who is fifteen and has Asperger’s, a form of autism. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour’s dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey that will turn his whole world upside down.
Depression
- Depression is the Pits, But I'’m Getting Better: A Guide For Adolescents E Jane Garland, Magination Press ISBN 1557984581
A clear and user-friendly guide that will be helpful to anyone suffering from depression.
Disability & Chronic Illness
- Easy For You to Say: Q & As For Teens Living With Chronic Illness or Disability Miriam Kaufman, Firefly Books ISBN 1554070783
A straightforward and non-judgemental book of advice for teenagers with a wide range of illnesses.
Eating Disorders
- Girls Under Pressure Jacqueline Wilson, Corgi ISBN 0552548324
Feeling like she doesn’t measure up to her "drop-dead gorgeous" friends, Ellie tries to take control of her weight, and ends up battling with bulimia.
Growing Up and Sex
- Boy crazy: remembering adolescence, therapies and dreams Janet Sayers, Routledge ISBN 0415190851
Illustrated throughout with examples from a study of school and university students’ adolescent memories and dreams, it weaves together telling vignettes from fiction and film with the author’s own work as a therapist.
Learning Disabilities
- Many Ways to Learn - Young People’s Guide to Learning Disabilities Judith Stern and Uzi Ben-Ami, Magination Press ISBN 0945354746
For 8-14 years. This book is written for children with learning disabilities. It describes the different kinds of learning disabilities while reassuring children without overwhelming them. Gives practical suggestions about how children can reach their goals.
Self - Esteem
- Teen-Esteem: A Self-Direction Manual for Young Adults Pat Palmer and Melissa Froehner Impact Publishers ISBN 1886230145
For teenagers to help them take charge of their life.
Studying
- A Guide to Learning Independently Lorraine Marshall and Frances Rowland, Longman Publishing Group ISBN 0582811708
Designed to empower the reader to develop the necessary skills to survive as an informed, independent and versatile student.