SHSU Book Review for (Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 voices start the conversation about mental health By: Kelly Jensen

 

(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 voices start the conversation about mental health

ISBN: 9781616207816

Bibliography:

Jensen K. (2018). (DON’T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH (FIRST).Algonquin Young Readers an imprint of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

Plot Summary:

In (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, thirty-three actors, athletes, writers, and artists offer essays, lists, comics, and illustrations that explore a wide range of topics:their personal experiences with mental illness, how we do and don’t talk about mental health, help for better understanding how every person’s brain is wired differently, and what, exactly, might make someone crazy. If you’ve ever struggled with your mental health or know someone who has, turn the pages. 

Critical Analysis:

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy is an anthology of essays that relates to many people on so many different levels.  The authors of these essays are not your average, run-of-the-mill people, though.  Every one of them is influential in their own area.   Celebrities such as Nancy Kerrigan and Kristen Bell provide a personal and intimate insight into their life and share how they cope with and in some cases overcome their difficulties.  Teens and adults alike will find that they are not alone when facing their personal battles with mental, physical, or emotional problems. This book was very eye opening in a personal level due to coping with  mental illness, it will be a great book for students who are teenagers that are already feeling some sort of validation in their own lives.

Review Excerpt(s): 

“Empowering . . . deeply resonant . . . With this diverse array of contributors offering a stunning wealth of perspectives on mental health, teens looking for solidarity, comfort, or information will certainly be able to find something that speaks to them. Resources and further reading make this inviting, much-needed resource even richer.”

—Booklist

“Lively, compelling . . . the raw, informal approach to the subject matter will highly appeal to young people who crave understanding and validation . . . This highly readable and vital collection demonstrates the multiplicity of ways that mental health impacts individuals.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Thought-provoking . . . Misconceptions about mental health still abound, making this honest yet hopeful title a vital selection.”

—School Library Journal, starred review

Connection:

*Students can  consider cultural representation in the text by comparing and contrasting their own experiences with elements of the story using drawing and guided reflection.

*Students can have class discussions or small group meetings to help each other if coping with any mental illness. 

Other similar books:

HERE  WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD By: Kelly Jensen ISBN: 978-1616205867