Recommended Novels that Tackle Mental Health​

Students with learning differences often struggle with mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Reading novels that feature characters going through similar struggles can help students understand their own challenges.

I came across two fantastic lists of novels on the Brightly web site that I wanted to share with you.

Middle grade novels that address mental health

YA novels that address mental health

Two books I've personally read and can recommend are Challenger Deep and Turtles All the Way Down (both are YA novels). These books are well-written, thoughtful, and insightful, and I especially appreciated John Green's depiction of anxiety in Turtles.

Additionally, I always recommend Fish in a Tree by Linda Mullaly Hunt to students with dyslexia. It's an excellent portrait of the struggles students with dyslexia face and it has a hopeful and positive story arc.

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

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