Feeling Down: The Way Back Up (Understanding Pressure Books)

Grade 3-6 In this slim, easy-to-read book, a younger brother describes his and his family's response to his teenage sister's attempted suicide. The emphasis is on the family's effort to understand why Stephanie tried to take her life and to learn ways to better communicate feelings and concerns. Much of the text consists of the interaction of the family with a therapist. Their dialogue includes bold-faced words such as cope, pressure, stess ; these words are defined in the text and repeated in the glossary. There is a spaciousness to the pages because only about one half of the page is covered with the large print type. The black-and-white drawings of this middle-class white family are muted in tone and realistic in style. The format makes the book appear to be for a young audience; however the content is relevant for teenagers as well. The ending is upbeat as the family looks forward to using new ways to communicate and support each other. There's a list of stress reduction activities that might help children who are under stress themselves, and the title may be helpful in reaching that audience, as well as children who have encountered suicide or attempted suicide in their families. Elise Wendel, Orchard Road School, Skillman, N.J.
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