Brainstorm 142: Characters overcoming mental hurdles

Last week I shared books that feature characters who overcome physical challenges. This week we’re looking at characters who have mental hurdles to overcome whether they are emotionally rooted or their brains are just wired differently. So here are some books that can help you better understand the people around you who may have hidden challenges they are heroically overcoming.

Picture Book

After the Fall by Dan Santat
Humpty Dumpty used to sit up on the wall and enjoy watching the birds. But after his fall, he found himself too scared to go up high anywhere again. It isn't until he gets the right motivation that Humpty Dumpty finds the courage to face his fear and trauma.

Target Readers:

• Readers Who Want to Better Understand Those with PTSD/Readers with PTSD Looking for Characters Like Themselves: Post-traumatic stress disorder is not named in this book, but it does fit Humpty Dumpty’s experience. In just a few sentences and illustrations, Santat manages to convey the full power of how the fall hurt Humpty Dumpty in ways that no one can see from the outside. He shows how it hurts, but that Humpty Dumpty thinks he doesn't have the strength to face his new fears. And then one day, he does find that strength and he finds healing, and it is such a beautiful story. Who expected a Humpty Dumpty story to be moving and an avenue adults can use to help damaged kids work toward recovery? 
• Nursery Rhyme Fans: Nursery rhyme fans might have always been curious what happened to Humpty Dumpty after his fall. Now they know.
• Fans of Moving Stories: Santat weaves an inspirational and moving story in this picture book that is a delight to read.
• Want more PTSD reads?:
  
  Try the middle grade book The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, ill. by Shane W. Evans or the young adult books Saving Red by Sonya Sones, Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein, or Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams. 

Lower Grade Fiction

Anna Liza and the Happy Practice by Eoin Colfer, ill. by Matt Robertson
Anna Liza is the daughter of a psychiatrist. She wants to be a psychiatrist too, so she's started practicing by trying to cheer up people in her mom's waiting room. When she runs into a tough customer she can't get to crack a smile, she decides to dig deeper. She finds out that Edward is sad because his Dad has been sad ever since his Mum left. He says his Dad feels stuck in one spot. Anna Liza decides to try and help them out by getting his dad moving...with roller skates.

Target Readers:

• Readers Trying to Understand People with Depression: Anna Liza learns through this book that she has a lot to learn about depression. It’s hard to break down such a topic for kids, but Colfer at least opens the door for conversations with this book.
• Humor Fans/Beginning Readers: This is a fairly quick and easy read aimed at kids who are just ready for chapter books on their own. Anna Liza’s antics result in one wild and crazy adventure for Edward’s dad that lower grade readers should find funny.

The Fish in the Bathtub by Eoin Colfer, ill. by Peter Bailey
Grandpa Feliks is a tough man. He's survived the Germans in WWII. He survived the Russians coming through at the end of WWII and occupying. And he's determined he will make a stand against the Communists too, by having a proper carp for Christmas dinner. Lucja is his 8 year old granddaughter who can't hold still or follow through on a thought ever. But when the carp for Christmas arrives through the black market alive, it goes to stay in the bathtub till Christmas Eve. In that time, though, Lucja develops a friendship with the fish. Even more miraculous, she's sitting still for hours talking to the fish and carrying on coherent conversations with it. Will Grandpa get his Christmas carp dinner or will Mr Fishy get to stay with his new friend?

Target Readers:

• Readers Wanting to Understand Those with ADHD/Readers with ADHD Looking for Characters Like Themselves: ADHD didn't have a name during this historical period, but Lucja clearly displays all the signs of having it. 
• Christmas Story Fans/Communist Country Setting Fans/Historical Fiction Fans: This is a Christmas story that's set in Poland during it's years under communist oppression. You get a decent feel for the hardship of Poland without any really harsh details. 
• Debate Fans: The fish provides a surprising conundrum in the way it helps Lucja. Grandpa's choice is predictable, but Colfer does a good job conveying how hard the choice is for him. Book clubs can have fun debating Grandpa's choice. Would they have made the same choice or did something different?
• Want more stories with ADHD characters?
  
  Try the middle grade Joey Pigza series by Jack Gantos or the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan.

Middle Grade Fiction

Chester & Gus by Cammie McGovern
Chester is training to be a service dog. He wants nothing more in life than to have an important job and help someone. But he doesn't do well with loud noises and doesn't get matched on the day the other dogs do. A little while later Gus' family takes him in with hopes that Chester will be able to help bring Gus out of his shell. Chester is a very observant dog and learns all about Gus and the ways his autism manifests. He isn't sure how much he'll be able to help Gus, but he's willing to try. However, the teacher in the classroom next door thinks he's only a distraction, his trainer thinks Chester's talents are being waster, and Chester is frustrated with his inability to communicate his observations about Gus to Gus' parents and teacher. Can Chester stay with Gus and find ways to really help him?

Target Readers:

• Readers Wanting to Better Understand People on the Autism Specturm/Readers with Autism Looking for Characters Like Themselves: I felt like this did a fantastic job of portraying the realities of life for a mostly nonverbal autistic child and his family. And it should be fantastic, the author is the mother of a child like Gus and thus she writes from a place of deep understanding. Chester's perspective helps readers see that despite the lack of verbal communication, such children can understand a lot and have things they love and do well. 
• Dog Lovers: This is told from the dog's point of view, so dog lovers should eat this up.
• Want More Autism Reads?
  
  The autism spectrum is quite broad and each person is different, so I encourage you to read several of these other books featuring characters on the autism spectrum to better understand how it can be different from person to person. Lower grade readers might want to try A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold. Middle grade readers can check out Rules by Cynthia Lord, The Real Boy by Ann Ursu, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, or the graphic novel Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke. And young adult readers can try the autobiography The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida, translated by K.A. Yoshida and David Mitchell.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally doesn't mean to get in trouble at school. It isn't her fault the letters won't hold still long enough to read. She has pretty much given up on herself. But a new teacher doesn't see her as a problem who won't finish assignments, Mr. Daniels manages to catch on to Ally's deep, dark secret. She can't read. And all those "pranks" were actually her acts of frustration or genuine tries. With the help of Mr. Daniels and some new friends, Ally starts to think that maybe she isn't dumb and perhaps there is some hope for her.

Target Readers:

• Readers Wanting to Better Understand People with Dyslexia/Readers with Dyslexia Looking for Characters Like Themselves: When you read this make sure you read the author's note in the back about how this story was inspired by her own experiences in school. She gives a very authentic voice to the struggles of someone with dyslexia, and overall also a voice of hope that things can get better. 
• Fans of Moving Stories/Contemporary Fiction Fans: This realistic story sees not only Ally get help in her life, but many others. It’s a great feel-good read.
• Fans of Heartwarming Teacher Stories: Mr. Daniels is a spectacular example of a teacher who is able to meet all the kids where they are and inspire them on to great things. This is one to give your favorite teacher or for wannabe teachers to read for inspiration.
• Want some more reads about characters with dyslexia or other reading disabilities?
  
  Try the middle grade book May B. by Caroline Starr Rose or The Wild Book by Margarita Engle. And for lots of true story inspiration check out the biography Creative, Successful, Dyslexic: 23 High Achievers Share Their Stories edited by Margaret Rooke. There are also books out there featuring characters with more general reading disabilities and learning disabilities. Try the middle grade books Close to Famous by Joan Bauer, Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor, or Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan.

Young Adult & Adult Fiction

The Safest Lies by Megan Miranda
Kelsey Thomas has not exactly had a normal life up till this Junior year of high school. Her mother was abducted as a teenager, disappeared for about a year, and when she reappeared she was 4 months pregnant and had no memory of what happened to her while she was missing. She was a media sensation for several months until she changed her name, built a fortress and disappeared inside with her baby daughter. She has not stepped outside since then. Kelsey has been outside, largely on the urging of her mother's therapist, Jan. But Kelsey only started going to public school a few years ago, and she must follow a rigid set of rules so that her mother feels safe. Also, living with a very anxious woman has also made Kelsey a touch anxious herself. Kelsey's world gets turned literally upside down when a car runs her off a mountain road and she wakes up being rescued by her classmate Ryan from her upside down car dangling over the cliff's edge. The car accident brings Kelsey and her mother into the news and suddenly, it seems the past is repeating itself when Kelsey returns home one evening to find her mother gone. Her mother who has not willingly left the house in 17 years, not even when her daughter had a car accident. Soon, Kelsey finds herself and some friends in very real danger as they hunt for clues as to who has her mother and why.

Target Readers:

• Readers Who Want to Better Understand Anxiety/Readers with Anxiety Looking for Characters Like Themselves: Kelsey’s growing understanding of her mom really helps readers better understand what it is like to live with anxiety both in yourself and in someone you love. 
• Suspense Fans: This is one thrilling read from start to finish. It is extremely hard to put down once you start. I’ve handed this to several teens and they’ve brought it back within days saying they read it in one sitting and that their friend so-and-so will be coming to get it because they told them they HAVE to read this. 
• Want more reads about characters with anxiety?
  
  Try the picture books I’m Scared by Jennifer L. Holm, ill. by Matthew Holm or Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Mélanie Watts. For middle grade readers try A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban, Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead, or the autobiographical graphic novel Real Friends by Shannon Hale, ill. by LeUyen Pham. Also there’s the young adult novel Love, Lies, and the List by Kasie West.

Legion (Legion, #1) by Brandon Sanderson
An interesting short piece by Sanderson. A private investigator with multiple personality disorder is hired to find a device that can take pictures of the past. It has been stolen, and the possible evil uses for the device are too horrible to consider. But the story is more about the main character and his cast of hallucinations and how he uses them to help solve puzzles.

Target Readers:

• Readers Wanting to Better Understand Multiple Personality Disorder: For some reason mystery seems to be the main genre in which you can find characters with this disorder (usually because it provides a tricky solution to who done it). This private investigator instead uses his disorder to solve crimes. It’s a unique twist and helps readers develop more empathy for such people.
• Mystery Fans/Readers Looking for a Quick Read: This and its sequel are pretty short mystery reads (under 100 pages). And Sanderson loves to play with your mind so don’t expect an easy solution. If you like to read the book before the TV show comes out, move this one higher on your TBR list. It’s in development for a TV series.