Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Disability, impairments and special needs

Book SynopsisTackling divorce and suicide with a warmth and sensitive humor that refuses to be weighed down, Someone Else''s Shoes chronicles a road trip that unites three young people in search of family and acceptance. Fans of Sharon Draper, Jo Knowles, and Counting by Sevens will be moved by this tale of what brings us together when things fall apart.Twelve-year-old Izzy, a budding stand-up comic, is already miserable about her father''s new marriage and the new baby on the way. Then ten-year-old cousin Oliver and his father, Uncle Henderson, move in with Izzy and her mom because Oliver''s mother committed suicide only a few months ago. And to make matters worse, Ben, the rebellious 16-year-old son of Izzy''s mother''s boyfriend, winds up staying with them, too.But when Uncle Henderson--who has been struggling with depression after his wife''s suicide--disappears, Ben, Izzy, and Oliver set aside their differences and hatch a plan to find him. As the threesome travels in search of Henderson, they find a surrogate family in each other.

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Book SynopsisThis coming-of-age novel for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour follows two sisters navigating mental health and relationships as they uncover their family’s mysterious past.Cinnamon and Scarlett are the Prince sisters, the youngest generation of the Mad Princes who earned their reputation in their seaside town when their Great Aunt Sadie went missing without a trace decades ago. Even with the shared history, the sisters can’t stand each other. While Scarlett has been away at school, Cinnamon has stayed to work and take care of their rock star father after his latest mental-health struggles.But now Cinnamon and Scarlett are back under the same roof for the holidays, and things are heating up. Great Aunt Sadie’s secrets seem determined to be unearthed. Scarlett’s anxiety is coupled with newfound feelings for Cinnamon’s ex, Will. And Cinnamon can’t ignore her growing attraction to her coworker Daisy. As each piece of the Prince family’s puzzle comes to the fore, Cinnamon and Scarlett are forced to reckon with demons both personal and inherited and find a way through that feels right to each of them in their own way.With equal parts humor and heart, author Rhiannon Wilde asks how do we honor our past without letting it define us?

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Book SynopsisAre you at your wits' end dealing with an angry teen? This important guide offers frustrated parents powerful mindfulness tips to navigate heated moments of interaction with their child, as well as skills based in positive psychology to foster compassion, caring, and lasting connection.Does your teen get angry easily or act out? You aren't alone. Parenting a teen is hard enough, but parenting an angry teen is especially difficult. You might feel unable to keep your own cool during disagreements, or even worry that your relationship with your teen is doomed. So, how can you make sure you stay grounded when the drama rises and reestablish a sense of connection?Written by a psychologist and teen expert, this book offers techniques based in mindfulness, compassion, and positive psychology to help you face the challenges that parenting an angry teen presents. You'll discover the clinical and psychological underlying conditions that can contribute to teen anger, skills for improving communication, and mindfulness tips for staying calm yourself. In addition, you'll learn skills for re-establishing a compassionate and connected relationship. If you're ready to take control of your own reactions and start reconnecting with your angry teen, this book will help guide the way.

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Book SynopsisIf you have a child with anxiety, you need quick, in-the-moment solutions you can easily use now to help your child face their fears and worries. Written by a psychologist and expert in childhood anxiety, this easy-to-use guide offers proven-effective cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure skills you can use at home, in social settings, or anywhere anxiety takes hold. Being a parent is tough work. And when your child has an anxiety disorder, the tough gets upgraded to downright hard. You love your child, and it hurts to see them afraid or constantly worried. But life needs to be lived, and schedules often need to be kept-especially if your child is in school! So, how can you manage your child's anxiety during those trying moments when you just need to get from A to B without losing your sanity? Helping Your Child Overcome Anxiety provides quick solutions based in evidence-based CBT and exposure therapy-two of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders. You'll find a background and explanation of the different types of anxiety disorders, in case you aren't sure whether or not your child has one. You'll also learn to identify your child's avoidant and safety behaviors-the strategies your child uses to cope with their anxiety, such as repeatedly checking their homework or asking the same questions repeatedly-as well as anxiety triggers that set your child off. With this book, you'll find a wealth of information regarding your child's specific anxiety disorder and how to respond to it. For example, if your child has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD, the skills you use to help them are different than other anxiety disorders. No matter your child's specific symptoms or diagnosis, you'll discover tailored interventions you can use now to help your child thrive.If your child has an anxiety disorder, simple, everyday activities can be a real challenge. The practical solutions in this book will help you deal with your child's anxiety when it happens and restore balance and order to both your lives.

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Book SynopsisIs your worrying keeping you from reaching your goals? In Mindfulness for Teen Worry, a clinical psychologist offers quick, easy-to-learn mindfulness skills teens can use anytime, anywhere to stop worries from growing and taking over. Let's face it-being a teen isn't easy. And if you're like a lot of other teens, you probably worry about getting good grades, fitting in with a certain crowd, or what the future will bring after high school. These are all completely normal worries, and signs that you are tuned in to your life and thinking about your goals. But what about chronic worrying-the kind that keeps you up at night, ruminating about that paper you just turned in, or that thing your friend said to you at lunch (what did she mean by that?), and so on. Sometimes worrying isn't helpful. In fact, it can get in the way of living your life! So, how can you start putting worry in its place before it takes up too much head space? Mindfulness for Teen Worry will show you how living in the moment will dissolve worry and help you stay grounded in the here and now. You'll learn powerful and easy-to-use mindfulness skills to manage the four most common worry struggles teens face: school pressure, coping with friendship and relationship problems, improving body image, and handling family conflicts. You'll discover why you worry and the long-term destructive impacts worry can have on your life. And most importantly, you'll be introduced to simple, effective techniques to help you become more mindful-like harnessing the power of the breath and how to relax your body in times of stress. If you struggle with worry or anxiety that gets in the way of being your best, this fun and friendly guide will help you maintain a mindful life in a frenzied world.

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Book SynopsisNot So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as anyone else.Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles' growth. As a result, his body hasn't grown bigger and stronger as he's gotten olderit's gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn't stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017

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Book SynopsisKate was born with symbrachydactyly, a big word for upper limb differences. How does a little girl feel about growing up with one hand? How does she answer peoples questions? Heres Kates story in her own words.

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Book SynopsisSometimes things seem hard, and my feelings are really big. Strong emotions can be overwhelming for young children, and at times they need help identifying and coping with what they're feeling. I want to feel peaceful. I won't hit or hurt.

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Book SynopsisEarly listening skills lead to understanding and belonging.

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Book SynopsisTroublemakers and Superpowers is filled with hopeful stories that explore the lives of 29 individuals from diverse backgrounds who have had to navigate a “troublemaker” in their childhood, such as trauma, depression, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or dyslexia. Each of these individuals had a turning point in their life that enabled them to understand not only their struggles but also their strengths and ultimately learn how to use them to go after their dreams. This biography collection includes stories of people from all walks of life. Did you know… Greta Thunberg used the strengths she discovered with her Asperger’s Syndrome to start a climate revolution. Jonathan Van Ness’s (JVN) struggle with childhood trauma and depression pushed him to learn self-love. Ed Sheeran overcame a stutter with the help of music. Emma Stone struggles with anxiety and discovered acting helps her manage her condition. Trevor Noah grew up in South Africa navigating the strict rules of apartheid, the inflexible traditions of catholic school, and being a kid with undiagnosed ADHD. Discovering stand-up enabled him to turn his fascinating life story into comedy. Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock struggled with dyslexia then discovered the benefits of her condition – good 3D spatial awareness – were ideal for a career as a space scientist. Each profile includes a full-page illustrated portrait, and three pages devoted to the subject’s inspiring story that is interwoven with vibrant, playful art and illustrated quotes that highlight significant moments in each subject's story. The book also includes: A foreword for kids and an afterword for adults written by a licensed therapist to provide a mental health context for readers. Definitions of the variety of conditions, disorders, and traumas covered in the book, vetted by mental health experts. A list of resources on topics covered in the book. The incredible stories of the individuals in this book are filled with hope and inspiration for kids, ages 8 and up, who are struggling with challenges in their lives, as well as for kids who love biographies. Troublemakers and Superpowers will give all readers a better understanding of what it's like to grow up with 'troublemakers' and how they can be seen as 'superpowers.'Trade Review"Troublemakers and Superpowers is a refreshing and positive exploration of the way that disability, trauma, and adversity can shape identity in positive ways."—Children's Book Review"Perfect as a read aloud and as a basis for a classroom or home discussion. Highly recommended!"—Greg Pattridge, Always in the Middle

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Book SynopsisLast spring, Pansy chickened out on going to spring break camp, even though she’d promised her best friend, Anna, she’d go. It was just like when they went to get their hair cut for Locks of Love; only one of them walked out with a new hairstyle, and it wasn’t Pansy. But Pansy never got the chance to make it up to Anna. While at camp, Anna contracted meningitis and a dangerously high fever, and she hasn’t been the same since. Now all Pansy wants is her best friend back—not the silent girl in the wheelchair who has to go to a special school and who can’t do all the things Pansy used to chicken out of doing. So when Pansy discovers that Anna is getting a surgery that might cure her, Pansy realizes this is her chance—she’ll become the friend she always should have been. She’ll become the best friend Anna’s ever had—even if it means taking risks, trying new things (like those scary roller skates), and running herself ragged in the process. Pansy’s chasing extraordinary, hoping she reaches it in time for her friend’s triumphant return. But what lies at the end of Pansy’s journey might not be exactly what she had expected—or wanted.Extraordinary is a heartfelt, occasionally funny, coming-of-age middle grade novel by debut author Miriam Spitzer Franklin. It’s sure to appeal to fans of Cynthia Lord’s Rules and will inspire young friends to cherish the times they spend together. Every day should be lived like it’s extraordinary. Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.Trade Review"A gentle story. . . . Most readers will understand long before Pansy does that she is setting herself up for disappointment, but they will also recognize that Pansy's dedication to her friend is plenty extraordinary in itself." —Publishers Weekly"North Carolina author Franklin firmly grasps the climate and struggles among kids today. Her crystal-clear writing is filled with rich detail and believable characters. The sensitive story will resonate with young girls wrestling with friendship pains." —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"[An] effective debut. . . . the ending, in which Pansy accepts the reality of Anna’s situation, is suitably affecting." —Booklist"Though Pansy, Anna, and Andy are in fifth grade, the themes are universal, and this could easily appeal to young teens as well as the middle grade set. . . . A fine addition to upper elementary and middle school collections where weighty realistic fiction is in demand." —School Library Journal"Extraordinary is a delightful tale of loyalty, friendship, and hope." —Karen Harrington, author of Courage for Beginners and Sure Signs of Crazy"An inspiring, beautifully told story of friendship, hope, and the power of positive thinking, even in the face of deep disappointment." —Dianna Dorisi Winget, author of A Million Ways Home"A gentle story. . . . Most readers will understand long before Pansy does that she is setting herself up for disappointment, but they will also recognize that Pansy's dedication to her friend is plenty extraordinary in itself." —Publishers Weekly"North Carolina author Franklin firmly grasps the climate and struggles among kids today. Her crystal-clear writing is filled with rich detail and believable characters. The sensitive story will resonate with young girls wrestling with friendship pains." —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution"[An] effective debut. . . . the ending, in which Pansy accepts the reality of Anna’s situation, is suitably affecting." —Booklist"Though Pansy, Anna, and Andy are in fifth grade, the themes are universal, and this could easily appeal to young teens as well as the middle grade set. . . . A fine addition to upper elementary and middle school collections where weighty realistic fiction is in demand." —School Library Journal"Extraordinary is a delightful tale of loyalty, friendship, and hope." —Karen Harrington, author of Courage for Beginners and Sure Signs of Crazy"An inspiring, beautifully told story of friendship, hope, and the power of positive thinking, even in the face of deep disappointment." —Dianna Dorisi Winget, author of A Million Ways Home

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Book SynopsisHis world is music. Her world is silent.Ali Collins was a child prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the twenty-first century—until she was diagnosed with a life-changing brain tumor. Now, at seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with American Sign Language and lip-reading. She’s a constant disappointment to her father, a retired cop fighting his own demons, and the bruises are getting harder to hide.When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she’s swept back into the world of music. Jace Beckett, the nineteen-year-old lead singer of the band, has a reputation. He’s a jerk and a player, and Ali wants nothing to do with him. But there’s more to Jace than the tabloids let on. When Jace notices Ali’s bruises and offers to help her escape to New York, Ali can’t turn down the chance at freedom and a fresh start. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nationwide tour. With the help of Jace, Ali sets out to reboot her life and rediscover the music she once loved.Trade Review“A smart, sexy, and fast-paced story with a swoon-worthy love interest. Tone Deaf will be music to your ears.” —Jessica Taylor, author of Wandering Wild“Much like its hero, Tone Deaf’s flashy, rock-star exterior surrounds a sweet, vulnerable soul that made it impossible to put down. It is equal parts fun and touching, with a dash of humor and lot of heart. The friendships, as well as the romance, have intense, believable chemistry, and with a giant pitbull named Cuddles thrown in the mix, I was in love!” —Laura Lee Anderson, author of Song of Summer“Tone Deaf is everything that’s best about YA writing—a strong story, well-defined characters we can care about with distinct voices, and the writing is like walking into Hemingway’s well-lighted room. . . . Tone Deaf’s characters will stay with me for a long time.” —Douglas Rees, award-winning author of Vampire High“Olivia Rivers has hit all the right notes with Tone Deaf.” —A. R. Kahler, author of Pale Queen Rising and Shades of Darkness“The portrayal of Ali as Deaf is authentic and modern. She loves rock concerts for the vibrations and sensory pull of the crowd. She prefers to sign but exasperatedly reads the lips of people who talk fast or turn away as they talk. As Ali, Jace, and the band tour amid Amber alerts, surprising emotional connections are painfully forged and will resonate with young survivors of abuse, especially as Ali takes small steps toward recovery. VERDICT This gripping tale of survival has great appeal due to the parallel boy/girl narrative structure, the portrayal of a Deaf character at home in the realm of music and songwriting, and the overall pop culture tenor.” –School Library Journal“A smart, sexy, and fast-paced story with a swoon-worthy love interest. Tone Deaf will be music to your ears.” —Jessica Taylor, author of Wandering Wild“Much like its hero, Tone Deaf’s flashy, rock-star exterior surrounds a sweet, vulnerable soul that made it impossible to put down. It is equal parts fun and touching, with a dash of humor and lot of heart. The friendships, as well as the romance, have intense, believable chemistry, and with a giant pitbull named Cuddles thrown in the mix, I was in love!” —Laura Lee Anderson, author of Song of Summer“Tone Deaf is everything that’s best about YA writing—a strong story, well-defined characters we can care about with distinct voices, and the writing is like walking into Hemingway’s well-lighted room. . . . Tone Deaf’s characters will stay with me for a long time.” —Douglas Rees, award-winning author of Vampire High“Olivia Rivers has hit all the right notes with Tone Deaf.” —A. R. Kahler, author of Pale Queen Rising and Shades of Darkness“The portrayal of Ali as Deaf is authentic and modern. She loves rock concerts for the vibrations and sensory pull of the crowd. She prefers to sign but exasperatedly reads the lips of people who talk fast or turn away as they talk. As Ali, Jace, and the band tour amid Amber alerts, surprising emotional connections are painfully forged and will resonate with young survivors of abuse, especially as Ali takes small steps toward recovery. VERDICT This gripping tale of survival has great appeal due to the parallel boy/girl narrative structure, the portrayal of a Deaf character at home in the realm of music and songwriting, and the overall pop culture tenor.” –School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTeenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory''s artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason''s life. But that''s about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it''s much worse than anyone imagines.Davis Channing understands all too well what it''s like to give up control of your life. He''s survived cancer, but his drug addiction nearly killed him. Now he''s been sober for seven months and enjoying his community service at the hospital. But just when he thinks he''s got it together, Davis''s ex-girlfriend, who is still battling her addiction, barrels back into his life.Cason and Davis are not friends. But, as their worlds collide, they will start to depend on one another. Can they both be brave enough to beat the odds?

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Book SynopsisA YA thriller described as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meets John le Carré, about a teen math prodigy with an extreme anxiety disorder who finds himself caught in a web of lies and conspiracies after an assassination attempt on his mother.Seventeen-year-old Peter Blankman is a math genius. He also suffers from devastating panic attacks. Pete gets through each day with the help of his mother—a famous scientist—and his beloved twin sister, Bel.But when his mom is nearly assassinated in front of his eyes and Bel disappears, Pete finds himself on the run. Dragged into a world where state and family secrets intertwine, Pete must use his extraordinary analytical skills to find his missing sister and track down the people who attacked his mother. But his greatest battle will be with the enemy inside: the constant terror that threatens to overwhelm him.Weaving between Pete’s past and present, This Story Is a Lie is a testimony from a  protagonist who is brilliant, broken and trying to be brave.

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Book SynopsisSign language makes it easy to communicate with your child, and Nita makes it fun! The second book in the Little Hands Signing series (which introduced the bestselling Nita's First Signs), Nita's Day teaches ten new and essential ASL signs for every parent and child to know: wake up, change, clothes, eat, potty, go, play, bath, book, and bed. A simple story about Nita and her parents teaches each sign in context. Even better, each page slides open to reveal accurate instructions on how to make each sign, plus tabs on the side of each page make it simple to locate every sign for later reference. No signing book collection is complete without Nita!Trade Review"Nita’s First Signs is a wonderful introduction to the world of American Sign Language for children. The book is not only entertaining and creative with it’s depiction of signs, it encourages the reader to go to a video source as a means to reinforce the signs learned through real time instruction. In the end, Nita’s First Signs demonstrates the value and fun of learning sign language for ALL infants, toddlers, children, AND adults, regardless of whether they are deaf or hearing or hard of hearing."-Marlee Matlin, actress, author, and activist "Deaf Culture, ASL, and early-childhood content were vetted by experts, making it suitable for Deaf children or families who want to incorporate sign into their daily routine...A handy resource for hearing and Deaf families alike."-Kirkus Reviews "Kathy MacMillan has created another engaging ASL board book for families that is sure to both entertain and educate. In Nita's Day, Nita goes through typical routines of babyhood. She wakes up, has a diaper change, eats, goes to the potty, gets dressed, plays in the park, bathes, hears a bedtime story, and goes to sleep. Cheerful illustrations accompany each of these activities, along with sturdy pull-out peek-a-boo panels. Exposed inside each panel is an illustration of Nita making the sign for the activity along with a verbal description of that ASL sign. Sturdy tabs allow readers searching for a specific sign to find it easily. Sara Brezzi's colorful depictions of Nita and her loving parents as they help and accompany her throughout the day increase the joyfulness of this book. A must for every collection."—Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, executive director of Mother Goose on the Loose

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