Ab(solutely) Normal

February 1, 2023
In this anthology examining living with mental illness, authors tackle the subject through short stories, verse, graphic narrative, and a play script, all of which reflect their lived experiences. The collection's greatest strength is its impressive diversity in contributors and subject matter, from well-known names like Nikki Grimes and Francisco X. Stork to the newer voices. A Jewish girl with premenstrual dysphoric disorder orchestrates her second-chance romance in "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Anna Drury. Rocky Callen's "They Call Me Hurricane" is about Aida, a determined Ecuadorian American boxer battling depression. In Alechia Dow's "We Are Stardust," a fallen star grappling with negative thoughts becomes a brown-skinned human teenager. The book's main lessons include the messages that you are not alone and should reach out for help and follow a treatment plan. Stories that vary in tone are particular standouts, such as Jonathan Lenore Kastin's "Peculiar Falls," in which a vampire with social anxiety finds saving the world from a monster cheerleader easier than talking to his classmates, and "River Boy" by James Bird (Ojibwe), which tackles bullying and grief while following the sweet friendship between the school tough girl and a boy who constantly cries. Some entries would have benefited from more space to explore their interesting concepts more fully. Each contribution is followed by a brief autobiographical statement by the author. Message-heavy but necessary. (about the contributors, source notes, resources) (Anthology. 14-18)

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March 6, 2023
Carpenter (The Edge of Anything) and Callen (A Breath Too Late) bring together 16 authors including Alechia Dow, Nikki Grimes, Sonia Patel, and more to curate a timely fiction anthology about teens living with mental health challenges. In an opening introduction, the editors state they “wanted readers to receive the unstated message that this representation sends: You can struggle with a serious mental health condition and still live a good and full life.” A note from the author follows each entry, and touches on the creator’s inspiration for their story and their own experience living with a mental health condition. In James Bird’s “River Boy,” Hank, an Ojibwe teenager who cries “All. The. Time.” befriends his school’s troublemaker, who claims that “I’ll quit smoking when you quit crying.” In his concluding thoughts, Bird posits that “even when feeling different is difficult, you will, as I did... love every moment of it.” Covering topics such as anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and PMDD, this sensitive work authentically portrays its teen characters as complex beings whose positive relationships—with friends and family, and with their own mental health—exude hope. Back matter includes resources. Ages 14–up.

April 15, 2023
Grades 9-12 This YA collection showcases 16 short stories featuring characters with mental-health conditions. The stories vary in genre and setting, from realistic contemporary fiction set in the boxing ring to a paranormal high school to a fantasy about a fallen star. Many entries in the anthology come in the conventional short-story format, but some are poetry or comics. The foreword emphasizes that the anthology includes a cast diverse in racial, cultural, and gender identities and sexualities, identities often underrepresented when talking about mental health. Although all of the stories spotlight characters who struggle with mental health, the stories themselves are not necessarily about that struggle--they are about family, friendship, sports, grief, and fitting in. Some name specific conditions and center medication or therapy, while others do not. All of the contributors have lived experiences with mental health, and a short blurb from each writer discusses these experiences. This collection will appeal to readers who are struggling with or interested in mental health and prefer fiction that is written by someone who has been there.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2023

Gr 8 Up-Using mental health as the unifying theme of these short stories is a strong fit as reading for teens, their trusted adults, and community. The 16 short stories, while fictional, were all carefully chosen based on the contributing authors' own experiences related to mental health challenges either as a lived experience or similar experience that is noted in the introduction by the editors. Authors in this collection were given the autonomy to write the stories in their preferred format, whether it be verse or graphic, with results such as Nikki Grimes's verse approach to "Avalanche" that are worthy of celebration. In addition, each author wrote a note that appears after their story to share their personal connection. That personal touch gives each story extra weight and strengthens the collection. The recognition of a range of mental health needs from OCD and PTSD are as present as anxiety and rarely discussed premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Viewed as a whole, the stories are paced well, and all give credit to an empathetic reader as the writers share their experiences through fiction. Readers who related to [Don't] Call Me Crazy, edited by Kelly Jensen, will pick up this title as well. VERDICT The range of writing styles and techniques employed by notable authors about mental health makes this a strong addition to the shelves.-Alicia Abdul

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