11/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—By providing straightforward, well-researched information, this series fosters tolerance and understanding of different mental illnesses and disorders and discusses their possible causes, effects, and treatments. Each title begins with the sentence "People who cope with mental illness and disorders deserve our empathy and respect": a poignant statement that reflects this set's compassionate perspective. The books present relatable examples in order to shed light on these disorders, while at the same time demystifying some of their more uncommon aspects and dispelling stereotypes. Each chapter starts with a "Words to Understand" section, which points out important vocabulary, and ends with "Research Project" and "Text-Based Question" portions that expand upon what has already been discussed and encourage students to search more deeply for evidence in the text. VERDICT A detailed, respectful, and thoughtful look at mental health topics.
