Blog Swap: 5 Middle Grade Books on Emotions and Mental Health
We have a special treat today! We did a blog swap with Sands Heatherington, author of the Night Buddies series. We’re pleased as punch to share some of their top picks for Middle Grade Books on Emotions and Mental Health. To read the entire blog, visit Night Buddies Adventures.
Last week we talked about all the feels that come with starting a new year. Some feelings last a long time and require more attention and care. Today, we share five books with stories about emotions and mental health. They can be discussion starters or remind middle-grade readers they are not alone.
Grades 5 and 6. Grief. Anger. Kindness.
After his father dies, Arthur expresses his pent-up grief and anger by throwing a brick at a junk man. Rather than time in juvenile detention, the junk man suggests that the judge sentence Arthur to community service, working alongside the man he injures.
Ages 8-12. Fear. Overwhelm. Stress
Eleven-year-old AJ wants to run like Usain Bolt but is weighed down by fear and responsibility. He is the primary caregiver for his parents, who have learning disabilities along with the stress of school and track.
Ages 8-12. Depression. Anxiety.
Young ballet student Masie Cannon injures her knee and cannot continue to dance. At first, she is sad, but soon she can’t shake her anxiety and dark moods, and she can’t pretend everything will be okay.
Ages 8-12. Worry. Anxiety. Empathy. Dealing with Change.
Bea keeps a list of things that will not change, but when her parents divorce, Bea questions what she always believed. When her father announces plans to remarry, Bea must navigate conflicting emotions.
Ages 10-13. Mental illness. Sadness. Empathy.
AJ’s dad is a hero to his son and thousands of others, but then the former professional football player begins to change. He has periods of anger and forgetfulness. One day he can’t remember his son’s name, and AJ must live in a new reality.
Thanks to Sands Heatherington and the team at Night Buddies for allowing us to share this riveting post. Make sure to visit their website for the full experience.