Find Your Fierce

September 1, 2021

Gr 6 Up-Inevitably, adolescence is a time of anxiety and confusion. For teenagers who suffer from anxiety disorders, however, the middle school/high school years can seem unbearable. In the best of times, teens in modern society have to handle a barrage of cultural and emotional stimuli like never before. With the recent pandemic, the mental health landscape is even more precarious. In this work, clinical psychologist Sperling outlines a practical plan to help anxiety sufferers combat their fears. Addressing well-meaning but often unhelpful advice, e.g., "just breathe," she offers a more detailed approach to tackling specific situations. With graphics and suggestions for simple progress charts, the author explains why anxiety arises and how teens can train their brains to handle overwhelming encounters. At the end of each chapter, she provides a brief summary of the most important points. Sperling takes the commonly known talking points about anxiety and uses them as stepping stones for a more comprehensive action plan both for teens who live with debilitating anxiety disorders and those who occasionally experience anxiety-causing scenarios. She walks readers through each suggested exercise with clear, engaging writing. Her tone is accepting and gentle, inviting teens to acknowledge their shortcomings and helping them see that it is only human to experience stress and anxiety. VERDICT An important, much-needed guide to help the many teens who are dealing with anxiety. For all libraries.-Karin Greenberg, Manhasset H.S., NY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2021
A clinical psychologist offers teens practical tools they can use to deal with social anxiety. The director of the McLean Hospital's Anxiety Mastery Program provides explanations and examples of techniques to help young people manage their fears and anxieties. To begin, she defines social anxiety and introduces three fictional teens. Emma, Jordan, and Maria (shown with differing skin tones in the grayscale illustrations) present different worries but respond similarly by withdrawing--in the classroom, among friends, or on the playing field. She follows these young people throughout the book, giving step-by-step directions for each of the tools she suggests. Sperling explains how to manage thoughts, feelings, and behavior using the tools of cognitive behavior therapy: checking your thoughts, mindfulness, and relaxation. She also discusses the strategy of exposure and response prevention, including gradual exposure and purposefully difficult exposure, to learn to curb defensive responses. At every step, Sperling uses one of her characters to show how a teen might put her techniques into practice. Every chapter includes a recapitulation of the most important points. The author addresses her readers directly; her explanations are clear, her tone is patient and reassuring, and she encourages regular use of these tools, offering the parallel example of an athlete's daily practice. The book concludes with a helpful chapter on self-care. Straightforward and useful advice. (references, index) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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