Suicide Prevention Month - Tweens

Created on August 17, 2022, 3:45 pm

Last Updated September 24, 2023, 1:55 pm

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness and discuss this highly stigmatized topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health condition s, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

1) Iveliz explains it all

Author

Arango, Andrea Beatriz

Description

Twelve-year-old Iveliz is trying to manage her mental health and advocate for the help and understanding she deserves, but in the meantime her new friend calls her crazy and her abuela Mimi dismisses the therapy and medicine Iveliz needs to feel like herself.

2) Fighting words

Author

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, Playaway

Description

"Ten-tear-old Della has always had her older sister, Suki: When their mom went to prison, Della had Suki. When their mom's boyfriend took them in, Della had Suki. When that same boyfriend did something so awful they had to run fast, Della had Suki. Suki is Della's own wolf--her protector. But who has been protecting Suki? Della might get told off for swearing at school, but she has always known how to keep quiet where it counts. Then Suki tries to...

3) Rising above Shepherdsville

Author

Schoenbohm, Ann

Description

"In 1977, after her mother's suicide, twelve-year-old Dulcie Louise Dixon is sent to live with her aunt and must rise out of her grief and find her voice again with the help of some surprising new friends"--

4) Friends for life

Author

Norriss, Andrew

Formats:

Description

Francis Meredith is a boy who is interested in fashion and costuming, which has made him a target at school, but when he meets Jessica and Andi his life begins to change--Andi is an athletic girl with a reputation for fighting and family in the fashion business, and Jessica is a ghost who has no idea how she died.

Author

Formats:

Description

In writing in his journal about middle school classmate Morgan Mallen's suicide from bullying, Sam explores whether he was a friend, or one of the bullies who ignored her at school and tormented her online.

6) My brother's shadow

Author

Description

Eleven-year-old Kaia, who has felt emotionally isolated since her brother's suicide, befriends a wild boy who mysteriously appears at her London school, finding a way to communicate with him despite his being mute.

7) The navigator

Author

Series

Navigator trilogy volume 1

Description

Owen has always been different, and not only because his father committed suicide, but he is not prepared for the knowledge that he has a mission to help the Wakeful--the custodians of time--to stop the Harsh from reversing the flow of time.

8) Keeper of the night

Author

Holt, Kimberly Willis

Formats:

Description

Isabel, a thirteen-year-old girl living on the island of Guam, and her family try to cope with the death of Isabel's mother who committed suicide.

9) Living with Viola

Author

Description

"Heartbreakingly honest and quietly funny, this #ownvoices graphic novel from a debut creator is a refreshingly real exploration of mental health, cultural differences, and the trials of middle school. Livy is already having trouble fitting in as the new girl at school--and then there's Viola. Viola is Livy's anxiety brought to life, a shadowy twin that only Livy can see or hear. Livy tries to push back against Viola's relentless judgment, but nothing...

10) Sara and the search for normal

Author

Description

Seventh-grader Sara wants to be normal but her panic attacks and other episodes cause her to isolate herself until, in group therapy, she meets talkative and outgoing Erin, her first friend.

11) Worst-case Collin

Author

Caprara, Rebecca

Formats:

Description

"In the two years since his mother was killed in an automobile crash, Colin has been anticipating further disasters, writing down what to do in the event of an avalanche or mentally practicing the Heimlich maneuver just in case--but the real trouble is that his mathematician father is obsessed with a classic math problem and has a hoarding problems that is spiraling out of control, leaving Colin desperate to hide this chaos from his friends and everyone...

12) What is social anxiety?

Author

Morlock, Rachael

Series

Understanding anxiety

Formats:

Description

"A lot of people casually claim they have social anxiety. But what does that mean? Social anxiety is more than just being quiet or shy. It's a form of anxiety brought on by situations in which a person interacts with other people. People with social anxiety are so fearful of being judged by their peers that they may be unable to make friends or do the things they want to do. In this volume, readers learn some of the triggers of social anxiety and...

13) Shelter: homelessness in our community

Author

Series

Formats:

Description

"Part of the Orca Think series for middle-grade readers, this book answers the questions young people have about homelessness and its causes, effects, possible solutions and what we can all do help."--

14) How to become a planet

Author

Melleby, Nicole

Formats:

Description

"After an entire summer trying to figure out how to go back to being the person she was before her depression and anxiety diagnosis, twelve-year-old Pluto finds out--with the help of the Hayden Planetarium hotline, a new tutor, and a new friend--that there is no old or new Pluto, there's just Pluto, growing up"--

15) Hollow chest

Author

Sandstrom, Brita

Formats:

Description

When his brother Theo returns home from World War II cold and distant, Charlie soon discovers that Theo's heart has been consumed by a war wolf, which lives off of grief, and must get Theo's heart back before it's too late.

16) Balloons for Papa

Author

Bedia, Elizabeth Gilbert

Description

"A perfect book to help discuss mental health, depression, empathy, loss, and hope with young children. Arthur's gloomy father rushes him through the park every morning, through gray and rainy weather. Arthur just wants a bright balloon from the park's vendor, but Papa always says no. One morning, the balloons magically appear at their doorstep, and Arthur figures out the perfect way to bring the sunshine out--and Papa's smile back--even if only for...

17) What happens when someone has depression?

Author

Series

KidHaven health library

Formats:

Description

"Depression affects many people, and it can be confusing and sometimes scary for a young person to see a family member or friend suffering from it--or to find themselves struggling with symptoms of depression. However, knowing the facts about this mental illness can empower them to provide support for others and to take charge of their own health. They discover these facts through age-appropriate text and sidebars that provide scientific information,...

18) The girl who lost her shadow

Author

Formats:

Description

On the morning of Gail's birthday, she watches her shadow slip under the kitchen door. She's not surprised it decided to leave. Her dad has gone for good. Her big sister Kay, once Gail's best friend, has disappeared into sadness, and now her shadow has left too. Determined to make things right, Gail chases after the shadows. But her adventures take her to unexpected places and Gail discovers that where there are shadows, there's darkness, and she's...

19) Beginners welcome

Author

Formats:

Description

Starting to emerge from her shell in the months after devastating losses, Annie Lee takes piano lessons from an elderly male pianist before his disappearance forces her to break a promise to a new friend.

20) The year we fell from space

Author

Formats:

eAudiobook, Playaway

Description

The deeply affecting next book from acclaimed author Amy Sarig King. Liberty Johansen is going to change the way we look at the night sky. Most people see the old constellations, the things they've been told to see. But Liberty sees new patterns, pictures, and possibilities. She's an exception. Some other exceptions: Her dad, who gave her the stars. Who moved out months ago and hasn't talked to her since. Her mom, who's happier since he left,...