
Reach for this book when your teenager seems to be carrying the weight of the world but cannot find the words to explain why. It is an ideal resource for parents of high schoolers who feel disconnected from their child's internal life or for students who feel like the only ones struggling with invisible burdens. Through a series of poignant, first-person poems, the book invites readers into the guidance counselor's office, where diverse students and parents lay bare their anxieties, family conflicts, and hopes. This collection normalizes the messy reality of the teenage experience, covering everything from academic pressure to identity crises. By presenting these stories as monologues, Mel Glenn provides a safe window into the minds of peers, fostering empathy and showing teens that they are not alone in their 'problems.' It is a realistic, secular, and deeply human look at the high school years, best suited for readers aged 12 and up who are navigating the complexities of growing up.
Deals with loneliness, family dysfunction, and the pressures of adolescence.
The book addresses sensitive topics including parental neglect, academic failure, social isolation, and body image. The approach is direct and secular. Because these are monologues, the resolution is often realistic rather than neatly tied up with a bow. Some characters find clarity, while others remain in flux.
A 14-year-old who feels like an outsider or who is currently overwhelmed by the 'performative' aspect of high school social life. It is for the student who thinks everyone else has it figured out.
Parents should be aware that the book deals with raw teenage emotions and some cynicism regarding authority figures. Reading a few poems together can bridge the gap between a parent's perspective and a teen's reality. A parent might reach for this after hearing their teen say 'you wouldn't understand' or after a teacher suggests the child needs someone to talk to outside of the home.
Middle schoolers will see these poems as a 'sneak peek' into the high-stakes world of high school. High schoolers will see their own reflections, finding comfort in the specific, unvarnished voices that mirror their own internal monologues.
Unlike many 'problem novels' of the 90s, this uses the unique format of photo-illustrated poetry to create a documentary-style feel that is both intimate and accessible. """
The book is structured as a week in the life of Mr. Candler, a high school guidance counselor. Through fifty poetic monologues, we meet a revolving door of students and parents. Each poem serves as a 'session' where characters reveal their private struggles, ranging from the mundane (grades) to the profound (neglect and fear of the future).
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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