Helping Teens Cope: Resources for the School Library Media Specialist and Other Youth Workers

by Jami Biles Jones

Overview

Here's how to encourage reading, develop programs, and make connections. This book offers librarians, media specialists, and others who work with adolescents sound ideas for offering support and encouraging them to become leaders in their communities and take the guesswork out of programming by helping you understand what teens need.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781586831219
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/01/2003
Series:	Research Support for Your Library
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.31(d)
Age Range:	3 Months

About the Author

Jami Biles Jones is a media specialist and adjunct instructor at Barron Collier High School in Naples, FL. Her published works includes The Power of the Media Specialist to Improve Academic Achievement and Strengthen At-Risk Students.

Editorial Reviews

The goals of this book are teen centered, suggesting media specialists and others strive to make direct impact on the lives of teens through collection development, programming and advocacy. The author believes this can be accomplished through 'developing services and programs that promote resiliency' (p. vii). The second chapter is devoted to this concept of resiliency, and the author specifically explains how to advance this perspective in work with teens. Another key concept is bibliotherapy, and a chapter is devoted to this idea as well. Following are ten 'problems and challenges that may be experienced by teens' (p. viii). Topics that would be anticipated, such as teen pregnancy, depression and suicide, substance abuse, and divorce are presented, as well as topics such as maltreatment, eating disorders and body image, self-inflicted violence, relationship violence, driving, and bullying and cliques. Recommended titles for use in bibliotherapy are included, and divided into annotated lists for middle school and high school (it becomes clear that another book for middle school needs to be written on these topics). The titles are current, with the addition of a few books deemed 'classics.' Special features include Web sites related to the topics, a model for interactive booktalking and a month-by-month calendar of events (such as International Literacy Day, and Gay and Lesbian Month) with brief explanatory information and Web sites. This book goes beyond what most discussions of bibliotherapy provide, and in addition to presenting book titles the author suggests a program of action for direct engagement with teens. Recommended.” —Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

Librarians concerned with the real-life challenges that teens face daily will appreciate this resource. The book is divided into three sections. "The Foundation" emphasizes the importance of books and bibliotherapy in helping teens cope. It also includes a chapter on resiliency and shows how librarians can help young people by emphasizing reading and teaching problem solving and social and information skills. "The Issues" defines and identifies the symptoms and consequences of 10 common problems and challenges, such as depression, eating disorders, bullying, and substance abuse. "Bringing Attention to the Issues" consists of an extensive calendar of events, ideas for programs, a chapter on interactive booktalks that include opportunities for dialogue and questions for discussion, and a wealth of Web sites, categorized by issue and recommended for those who work with youth. Chapters conclude with annotated lists of recommended books for adolescents. A list of "`Must Reads' for Youth Workers" is included. A valuable aid to all librarians who work with adolescents.-Dana McDougald, Cedar Shoals High School, Athens, GA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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