A licensed professional counselor and a clinical psychologist designed this self-help guide for young women who've survived sexual trauma.
Opening with a letter to prospective readers from the authors, a tone of respectful, positive acceptance is set early on in this workbook, which begins generally—providing information on proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep habits—and becomes specific, eventually addressing such topics as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Each section includes short testimonials from other survivors (referred to by their first names), fill-in-the-blank exercises, inspirational quotes, and “more to do” activities, in which readers are encouraged to put into practice some of the techniques introduced that may help them cope with such experiences as nightmares, shame, negative self-talk, and flashbacks, among others. Clear, concise descriptions of strategies such as grounding, progressive relaxation, changing life scripts, and mindfulness practices are easy to follow, though the authors also make clear that this guide is not meant to replace working with a professional therapist but rather might make a good supplement. Its earnest, directly therapeutic approach also seems likely to be most effective for those who are already in counseling and who may have worked through any sarcastic or self-conscious resistance to the techniques offered.
A (sadly) necessary, practical tool for young women who've survived sexual abuse and assault. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62625-399-5
Page Count: 200
Publisher: New Harbinger
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES
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A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
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Deaf, trans artist Man meditates on his journey and identity in this brief memoir.
Growing up in conservative central Pennsylvania was tough for the 21-year-old Deaf, genderqueer, pansexual, and biracial (Chinese/White Jewish) author. He describes his gender and sexual identity, his experiences of racism and ableism, and his desire to use his visibility as a YouTube personality, model, and actor to help other young people like him. He is open and vulnerable throughout, even choosing to reveal his birth name. Man shares his experiences of becoming deaf as a small child and at times feeling ostracized from the Deaf community but not how he arrived at his current Deaf identity. His description of his gender-identity development occasionally slips into a well-worn pink-and-blue binary. The text is accompanied and transcended by the author’s own intriguing, expressionistic line drawings. However, Man ultimately falls short of truly insightful reflection or analysis, offering a mostly surface-level account of his life that will likely not be compelling to readers who are not already fans. While his visibility and success as someone whose life represents multiple marginalized identities are valuable in themselves, this heartfelt personal chronicle would have benefited from deeper introspection.
Best enjoyed by preexisting fans of the author. (Memoir. 12-18)Pub Date: June 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-22348-2
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
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