75 Important Children’s Books About Mental Health

For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
BIPOLAR DISORDER
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Just like the author’s own experience as an adoptee (#ownvoices), it’s hard for Makeda to be a black adopted girl in a white family that she loves but doesn’t feel like she fits– or is even seen. But there are even more challenges for Makeda these days, starting with being the little sister to a newly-distant teenager, moving to a new town away from her BFF, having parents who constantly fight, and watching her mom’s mental health deteriorate and blaming herself. (Adults will recognize the signs of bipolar disorder.) After her mom’s mania takes them on a trip to Colorado which abruptly nose dives into severe depression and a suicide attempt, Makeda reaches out for help. Don’t miss this insightful, honest story — it makes you think deeply and will stay with you long after the last page.

Sara and the Search for Normal by Wesley King
BIPOLAR, OCD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SCHIZOPHRENIA
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Sara wants to be cured of her mental illnesses and be “normal” like other kids, so she makes rules for herself. Among other diagnoses, Sara is bipolar and hates her out-of-control brain. Meanwhile, she begins group therapy, where she makes a friend; a friend who is covered in hidden bruises. Sara and Erin think of themselves as Star Children, kids with alien DNA. It’s profoundly sad to witness Sara’s self-loathing yet her still hoping for a better tomorrow. Sara realizes she wants to change her inner dialogue and accept herself. For readers, it’s a valuable opportunity to peek inside Sara’s mind and see how painful it is to have an invisible disease. It won’t make you think like her but it will give you compassion.

Home Home by Lisa Allen-Agostini 
DEPRESSION
YA book, ages 13+
Kayla’s moved from Trinidad to Canada with her aunt after a depressive episode and suicide attempt. She’s experiencing debilitating anxiety and self-loathing, making trips to the mall or a restaurant almost impossible. Her aunt and her aunt’s girlfriend are very understanding and patient which makes a huge difference in Kayla’s recovery. In therapy and her journal, she writes about the difficult relationship she has with her mother, who wants her to be smart and pretty, not sick. It also helps when she befriends a good-natured boy named Josh who understands mental illness and depression. His understanding, along with her aunts’ loving acceptance, helps Kayla come to terms with her mental illness. Her story feels honest, relatable, and important.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
DEPRESSION
YA book, ages 13+
Teens Theodore and Violet meet on the edge of the school’s bell tower. Neither jump. Afterward, the two slowly become friends. Reviewers say this book contains heartache, grief, love, and hope. I didn’t make it through the book, it was hard to read for me.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman
DEPRESSION / SUICIDE
YA book, ages 13+
Cody is devastated after her best friend commits suicide. She learns that Meg hadn’t told her a lot about her new college life. After Cody joins a suicide support group, she discovers she needs to forgive both Meg and herself. I didn’t read this because of my triggers with suicide.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
BIPOLAR / DEPRESSION / SUICIDE
YA book, ages 13+
Hopkins writes gritty, honest novels in verse. This is the story of three teens at Aspen Springs, a mental hospital for kids who have attempted suicide, and is the first of two books. It’s intense and emotional.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
SUICIDE
YA book, ages 13+
I HATE this book! I really do. But I’ll tell you about it anyway so you can avoid it if you agree with me… Hannah wants Clay to feel guilty for her suicide, so she leaves him audio tapes about her pain, blaming everyone for her actions. Having had a suicide in my own family, I believe that we all are responsible for our decisions, including suicide. This book focused more on blaming others and therefore wasn’t for me. (Also would add that his book wasn’t about depression or mental illness as much as trauma.)

Guts by Raina Telgemeier
ANXIETY
middle grade book, ages 8 – 12 
Raina shares her own life story, how in elementary school, her fears and anxieties led to terrible stomach aches, days of missed school, and time in therapy. Guts sensitively delves into the mind-body connection, showing therapy in a positive light. I wholeheartedly appreciate that the story shows a kind counselor who gives Raina helpful strategies. My daughter and I both love when Raina bravely presents to her class a strategy she learned in therapy — deep breathing.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
ANXIETY
middle grade book, ages 8 – 12
After losing their home and living in their van for 3 months, the family is now about to lose their apartment. Although Jackson’s parents don’t tell him this, he knows the signs. He knows why they’re having a yard sale. He knows it’s not his dad’s fault for having MS but he’s mad and worried and alone. It isn’t until Crenshaw shows up and pushes Jackson to speak the truth to his parents that Jackson learns that he’s not facing this big fear and situation alone. Oh, and who is Crenshaw? He’s Jackson’s large, imaginary cat friend from when he was little returned to help Jackson in his time of need. I felt like it was a God metaphor. I wonder what you’ll think?

Living with Viola by Rosena Fung
ANXIETY
middle grade books, ages 9 – 12
Viola is Livy’s anxiety personified. Viola is loud and says mean things and doesn’t believe in Liv’s capacity.  Fung masterfully lets us live inside Livy’s mind so we can understand what it’s like to have anxiety disorder and just how strong and loud that voice is. Livy’s family are Chinese immigrants in Canada and she feels a lot of pressure from her extended family about being an exceptional student and good daughter. Then with friendship struggles on top of her family concerns, Viola’s voice is stronger than ever. Livy finally tells her parents and gets a diagnosis and support. Moving, profound, and empathy-building — I highly recommend this story; it’s one of the best stories about anxiety that I’ve read.

Better With Butter by Victoria Piontek
ANXIETY
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Marvel’s anxiety makes school feel impossible — especially after freezing on stage during a required full-class participation event. Walking home from school, she finds a dirty, garbage-eating goat being teased by a group of boys. Surprising herself with newfound bravery, Marvel yells at the boys and takes the fainting goat named Butter home with her. Her parents reluctantly allow Marvel to keep Butter but require her to look for the owner. When they’re together, Marvel feels the noises in her head diminish and relies on Butter as her emotional support animal. But Marvel is devastated when Butter’s owner claims her. The sadness she feels about losing Butter helps her find support in group therapy. Finding new coping skills from her time with Butter, she gets a full-circle, perfect ending.
**Be sure to read Victoria Piontek’s essay, “What Animals Taught Me About Managing Anxiety.“

Sara and the Search for Normal by Wesley King
BIPOLAR, OCD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SCHIZOPHRENIA
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Sara wants to be cured of her mental illnesses and be “normal” like other kids so she makes rules for herself. Among other diagnoses, Sara is bipolar for which she blames herself. She hates her out-of-control brain and feels like nobody can help. Meanwhile she begins group therapy where she makes a friend; a friend who is covered in hidden bruises. Sara and Erin think of themselves as Star Children, kids alien DNA. It’s profoundly sad to witness Sara’s self loathing yet her still hoping for a better tomorrow. Sara begins to realize she wants to change her inner dialogue and accept herself. For readers, it’s a valuable opportunity to peek inside Sara’s mind and see how painful it is to have an invisible disease. It won’t make you think like her but will give you compassion.

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustrated by Molly Brooks
OCD
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Katie’s a bit different than other kids being homeschooled with crooked teeth and red hair but she knows that doesn’t matter because she has a best friend forever named Kacey. Until they start camp and Katie makes a new friend and Kacey gets jealous. But what’s even harder is the secret Katie’s hiding from everyone — she’s having buzzing thoughts that tell her to do repetitive things and they’re getting worse. During the next school year, Katie and Kacey’s friendship deteriorates even more because Katie continues to make new friends and try new things like theater. Eventually, Katie tells her parents about the buzzing and they get her help for what she learns are obsessive-compulsive thoughts. I love this story– the author (and illustrator) skillfully show realistic friendship changes and the challenges of a mental health issue. 

Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington
AGORAPHOBIA
YA book about mental health, ages 13+
Mysti’s mom is too scared to leave the house (agoraphobia) and her dad is in the hospital. How will they get any food? Not to mention, Mysti’s only friend pressures her not to talk to him at school. 

Home Home by Lisa Allen-Agostini 
ANXIETY
YA book, ages 13+
Kayla’s moved from Trinidad to Canada with her aunt after a depressive episode and suicide attempt. She’s experiencing debilitating anxiety and self-loathing, making trips to the mall or a restaurant almost impossible. Her aunt and her aunt’s girlfriend are very understanding and patient which makes a huge difference in Kayla’s recovery. In therapy and her journal, she writes about the difficult relationship she has with her mother who wants her to be smart and pretty, not sick. It also helps when she befriends a good-natured boy named Josh who understands depression. His understanding, along with her aunts’ loving acceptance, helps Kayla come to terms with her illness. Her story feels honest, relatable, and important.

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
OCD
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Wow, do I love this book! The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl is a thoughtful coming-of-age story about a girl genius with OCD whose grandma wants her to go to public middle school to make one friend, read one non-math book, and join one school activity. Surprisingly, Lucy does find friends and more than that, too. I love this well-written, heart-warming story!

Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley
OCD / GERMOPHOBIA
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Heartbreakingly sad, this is a beautiful story of misfit friends set in the 1980s. Both are lost and emotionally abandoned children who become friends when Ziggy’s abandoned at his grandmother’s house the neighborhood. June Bug’s mom suffers from severe mental disorders including fear of germs ever since June Bug’s dad died of AIDS. She doesn’t get out of bed, she doesn’t cook, and she’s obsessive about cleanliness. June Bug is starving because there’s no food in the house but she doesn’t want to tell anyone, even her uncle. Luckily, Ziggy’s Nana Jean notices and offers June Bug love, food, and safety. deeply connected to these survivor kids. The friends’ imaginary world helps them deal with the neighborhood bullies and family troubles. It’s a complex story with friendship, love, and redemption despite the pain of abandonment and the effects of mental illness.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
OCD
YA book, ages 13+
Absolutely the best book I’ve ever read to understand what it’s like to live with OCD! It feels real because the author, John Green, deals with OCD in his own life. Not only is Aza dealing with the challenges of her brain’s loud and intrusive thoughts but she also is a teenager who is just figuring out her life while following her best friend on a missing person’s investigation.

Big Bear Was Not the Same by Joanna Rowland, illustrated by John Ledda
PTSD
picture book, ages 4 – 8
This gentle story explains PTSD in a way that young children can understand–and I highly recommend it. One day Big Bear experiences a scary fire. And after that, Big Bear is not the same. He doesn’t want to climb a tree, loud noises startle him, and sometimes he makes a loud roar that frightens animals, including Little Bear. Little Bear offers to hold his hand. He reminds Big Bear that he is sorry for what happened to Big Bear and that he will always be there for him.

Eleven and Holding by Mary Penney
PTSD
middle grade chapter book, ages 9 – 12
This coming-of-age journey has 11-year old Macy longing for her father who is reportedly on a secret project for the government. She’s determined to find him and get him to return home. During this time, she and her best friend, Twee help an older woman who has a missing dog. As both plotlines progress, we learn the truth about the dog and her dad who has PTSD and a drinking problem. This is a sad but powerful story about grief, grace, and life.

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
PTSD
middle grade chapter book, ages 9 – 12
Each Tiny Spark is one of the best books about mental health and learning differences that I’ve ever read. Emilia is a Cuban-America girl whose ADHD makes focusing on school and school work a challenge. Her mom helps her stay on top of her assignments but her mom leaves for a work trip, leaving Emilia on her own. During this time, the community proposes to redraw the school district’s boundary lines, exposing prejudice and ongoing injustice. Emilia initially doesn’t want to see her friend Clarissa’s racism but her best friend Gus helps her see the truth about what’s going on. She becomes a passionate activist against injustice. Meanwhile, Emilia’s father’s return from the Marines is different than before; he’s quiet and distant this time. When he invites Emilia to work on a vintage car, teaching Emilia to weld, it helps rebuild their relationship, too.

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson 
PTSD
YA book, ages 13+
Hayley’s dad was a truck driver, but now that they’ve settled in one place, his PTSD nightmares and drinking are getting worse. She’s worried and doesn’t know what to do. I found this to be a well-written glimpse into the unpredictability of PTSD.

Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne
PTSD
YA book, ages 13+
This is a historical fiction book about a boy who discovers his soldier father is in the hospital for shell shock. The boy decides to “rescue” his father, not knowing what his father is dealing with.

Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin
SCHIZOPHRENIA
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
12-year-old Della’s mom is getting sick again– acting like she used to before she went into the mental hospital. Her dad is stressed about their farm, and Della wants to fix everything. She believes that maybe the local honey, which is reported to have healing powers will cure her mom of everything. Eventually, Della comes to a painful acceptance of her mom and her mom’s mental illness of schizophrenia. A heartbreaking and realistic journey.

Fig by Sarah Elizabeth Schantz
SCHIZOPHRENIA / OCD
YA book, ages 13+
Her mother has schizophrenia, and Fig has her own issues with anxiety and OCD that make it hard to tell what’s real and what’s not. But Fig is sure that she can save her mother. If she just does the right things . . .

Calvin by Martine Leavitt
SCHIZOPHRENIA
YA book, ages 13+
Calvin’s a teenager with schizophrenia –including the delusion of an out-of-control Hobbes (from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes). Now Calvin is positive that if he can just get a cartoon creator to draw one last comic strip, he will be cured of his mental illness.

Challenger Deep by Neil Schusterman
SCHIZOPHRENIA
YA book, ages 13+
Bizarre. I got about a third of the way through and wanted to abandon this book…until I reread the blurb that it was a journey of schizoaffective disorder. That explained why none of it made much sense! It’s a very sad and powerful glimpse into the mind of what Shusterman’s own son experienced. If you want to understand the impossible-to-understand disease of Schizophrenia, this is one of the best books about mental health you’ll read.

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
SCHIZOPHRENIA
YA book, ages 13+
Alex has the mental illness of schizophrenia and is used to not knowing what’s real and what’s a delusion but she’s determined to stay sane enough to get into college. Then she sees Miles at her school and remembers him from a delusion she had 10 years before.

ALSO ABOUT PTSD: Sara and the Search for Normal by Wesley King (review above)

Other Children’s Books About Mental Health

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
MENTAL ILLNESS (not specified)
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Jack’s mom isn’t like other moms — she sometimes is wild and energetic and sometimes she forgets him. Like when she leaves him at Acadia National Park. He starts walking to Boston with hopes that he can figure things out on his own before social services do. This powerful chapter book shows Jack’s resilience and love for his mother, no matter what.

The Battle of Junk Mountain by Lauren Abbey Greenberg
HOARDING
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
The summer is different than Shayne expected. Her BFF is acting weird. Her grandma, Bea, is supposed to be cleaning out her junk piles but she refuses to part with anything. And there’s an unusual, visiting neighbor kid who always wears a Civil War uniform that Shayne’s spending time with. The author does a respectful job of addressing the mental illness of hoarding as well as the challenges of growing up. Enjoyable and enlightening.

Taking Up Space by Alyson Gerber
BODY DYSMORPHIA & DISORDERED EATING
middle grade book, ages 9 – 12
Sarah’s mom’s dysfunctional relationship with food is affecting Sarah– who now thinks that her slowness in basketball is related to eating too much or too many “unhealthy” foods, instead of being from the normal growing pains of puberty. She’s confused, starving herself, and stressed out. (Her mom has HUGE food issues — she doesn’t buy food, often forgets to feed Sarah, gives Sarah passive-aggressive, incorrect messages on what being healthy means, and binges on hidden candy around the house.) Finally, a friend pushes Sarah to get help…and, help is just what Sarah needs to understand the truth about her body, what health truly is, and how her mom’s disordered eating has affected her. Girls and boys need this book — they need to know that body image issues and eating disorders happen to other kids, too, that puberty changes their body, and there is NO shame in getting help.

Mosquitoland by David Arnold
MENTAL ILLNESS
YA book, ages 13+
I couldn’t put this book down — it’s got everything: a great plot, excellent writing, and memorable characters. Of course, we aren’t sure our narrator, Mim, is reliable. We’re with her on a journey to help her mom who has been out of touch and has a disease. During her trip, we learn that Mim is supposed to be taking pills for psychosis and start to wonder if anything she’s telling us is real. Then we start to suspect that her mom might not have a physical disease . . . It’s a skillfully done young adult book that explores the disorientation when you have a mental illness.

The First Time She Drowned by Kelly Kletter
UNDEFINED MENTAL ILLNESS / TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS
YA book, ages 13+
Now that she’s 18, Cassie can leave the mental health institution where she’s been for over 2 years. She starts college, but just as she’s beginning a new, healthy life, her toxic mother starts destroying her mental health again. (I hated her mom! And yes, this book is about mental health. Narcissism is a mental illness and in the DSM.)