BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jensen, Kelly. 2018. (DON’T) CALL ME CRAZY. New York. Algonquin Young Readers. ISBN 9781616207816
PLOT SUMMARY
This anthology of 33 contributions is told by different people who uniquely tell their story of different mental health areas through essays, poems, and graphics. The importance of mental health and the different arenas from definitions, physical experiences, life and death situations and different ways of coping or dealing with this are covered in this collection.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Over the years mental health conversations have evolved from being seen as something scary to talk about to being more normalized as people are becoming comfortable talking about it and helping others be heard as well. In this collection of stories we read how the word “crazy” is what people would use to define someone with a mental health issue. Shaun Hutchison, explains that words have definitions but they don’t define a person, each person can define a word based on their experiences such as his experience with depression as he says “depression does not define me because you cannot define a person.” Heidi Heilig in the chapter of “Crazy meets culture” talks about how some people are lucky enough to get help and people who are not so fortunate are judged and seen as lazy. This addresses the stereotypes associated with mental health awareness.
Definitions, terminology and diagnoses are mentioned throughout with different points of views. We see graphic images of Gemma Correll personifying her overthinking through labels of a train passing through and around a city, a strong representation of self-inflicted cutting by Yumi Sakagugawa and photographs of Adam Silvera’s meaningful HGO (Happiness Goes On) tattoo showing that life can go on. In the chapter “to be okay" we are able to see the different ways of coping such as seeking professional help, medication plans, and different kinds of therapies. The works of these authors help unmask the truth of mental health awareness and become a voice for people to find and join in. The resources provided at the end, “keep the conversation going” contain fiction and nonfiction books, films, online resources and hotlines as well as contributor biographies which give more insight into their lives.
EXCERPTS/ AWARDS
Booklist, 09/01/18
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 11/01/18
Kirkus Reviews, 07/01/18
Schneider Family Book Honor, 2019
School Library Journal starred, 08/01/18
Booklist (September 1, 2018 (Vol. 115, No.1)): “ With this diverse array of contributors offering a stunning wealth of perspective on mental health, teens looking for solidarity, comfort, or information will certainly be able to find something that speaks to them.”
Kirkus Reviews (July 1, 2018): “While the loose structure disorients at times, making some entries feel randomly thrown together, the raw, informational approach to the subject matter will highly appeal to young people who crave understanding and validation.”
School Library Journal (August 1, 2018): “Opening up about mental health is difficult but necessary, asserts the editor of this thought-provoking anthology.”
CONNECTIONS
This anthology of mental health topics is suitable for the 9-12 grade level, it can be overwhelming for anyone younger as the confessions and conversations are more suitable for the older age group. The organization of this collection was not in a particular order, but it does give the book its own unique style.
Inviting students to create a graphic image in support of mental health awareness month and display alongside other titles that speak on mental health awareness, health & wellness, and social issues will provide a great range of resources for students to look into.
Mental Health is a touchy subject and some students fear to talk to anyone about what is going on in their head. Providing students with lists of resources to reach out such as counselors or organizations that provide support will give students a more well-rounded area of support.
David, Anthony S. INTO THE ABYSS: A NEUROPSYCHIATRIST’S NOTES ON TROUBLED MINDS. ISBN 978-1-78607-705-9
Jamison, Kay R. TOUCHED WITH FIRE: MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS AND THE ARTISTIC TEMPERAMENT. ISBN 978-0-684-83183-1
Kolker, Robert. HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD: INSIDE THE MIND OF AN AMERICAN FAMILY. ISBN 978-0-525-56264-1
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