Resource From Canadian Parents Magazine
If your teen has troubles, one of these books may help
Canadian Parents magazine took a trip to the giant bookstore to find some of the best books for teens on the market — not the escapist, blockbuster-movie-based thrillers, fantasies and love stories, but books based on (sometimes very grim) reality. Here are our top 10 picks for troubled teens and the specific issues that they address. (Caution: The suitability of some of these books for younger teens will depend on maturity level, among other things. Parental discretion advised.)
Stargirl - Issues: conformity, bullying, individuality, friendship
Go Ask Alice - Issues: drugs and addiction
Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamine - Issues: drugs, alcohol, addiction, life on the streets
Bifocal - Issues: racism, tolerance, terrorism
Chanda's Secrets - Issues: AIDS, shame, poverty, abuse, loss, loyalty, ignorance, illness
It's Kind of a Funny Story - Issues: depression, high-achievement, eating Disorders, self-discovery, sex, relationships
Fat Cat - Issues: weight loss, body Image, sexuality
Thirteen Reasons Why - Issues: suicide, loss, respect for others
Keeping You a Secret - Issues: homosexuality, sex, sexuality, belonging, conformity, discrimination, tolerance, love
Leverage - Issues: bullying, steroids, rape, suicide, friendship