May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in observance of this, we’ve spotlighted books for middle grade and young adult readers that address mental health. This month’s book list is sorted by theme, and includes titles that touch upon depression, trauma, substance use, eating disorders, and other mental health related topics. While the content in these titles is quite heavy, the stories are incredibly informative and explore the true depth of the experiences of people experiencing challenges with their mental health. Created using titles found in the library of our affiliate, Dirigo Learning: Community-Based Education Network™, this book list is not exhaustive, but is filled with titles that are guaranteed to be rich and engaging reads.

Trauma/PTSD

• Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

Eating Disorders

• Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green
• Everything I Know About You by Barbara Dee

Self Harm

• Cut by Patricia McCormick

Suicide

• Dancing on the Edge by Han Nolan
• The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Substance Abuse

• Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka
• Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. And Matthew Holm
• Swing it Sunny by Jennifer L. And Matthew Holm
• Augusta, Gone by Martha Tod Dunman
• Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
• Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gant

Download our PDF guide
for more information about each title.

Robin Morgan Huntley

Robin joined Hilltown Families in 2011 as an intern and has remained with the organization ever since, first volunteering as a community-based education correspondent until 2016 and now as a contributing writer. Robin is a graduate of Hampshire College and Antioch University New England, where she studied place- and community-based education. She lives on the banks of the Sheepscot River in Maine, where she and her husband are working to start a small farm. Robin teaches at Juniper Hill School for Place-Based Education and is the founder of our first affiliate Community-Based Education Network™, Dirigo Learning.