Mental Health Resources for Teens

The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Teen Anxiety by Sheri L. Turrell and Christopher McCurry

Teens often try to avoid the things that make them anxious; but avoidance can actually make anxiety worse, and get in the way of reaching goals and living full lives. Written by three experts in teen mental health, this powerful workbook offers proven-effective activities grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help teens cope with anxiety, build resilience, discover what really matters to them, and lead fuller, more flexible lives.

The Stress Survival Guide for Teens by Jeffrey Burnstein

Is stress getting the best of you? Do you ever feel overwhelmed, like your life is zooming by? This practical, proven-effective, and easy-to-use survival guide has your back!

Just As You Are: A Teen's Guide to Self-Acceptance and Lasting Self-Esteen by Michelle Skeen and Kelly Skeen

Stop comparing yourself to others—you're special just as you are! In this fun, practical guide, you'll learn how to silence your nit-picky inner critic, cultivate self-compassion, and discover what really matters to you.

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles by Jessica Burkhart and Maureen Johnson

Your favorite YA authors including Ellen Hopkins, Maureen Johnson, and more recount their own experiences with mental health in this raw, real, and powerful collection of essays that explores everything from ADD to PTSD.


Try these online resources for more information:


Health and Well Being from Ohio Department of Education

How to talk to your child about Covid 19

National Alliance on Mental Illness


If you are in distress, do not hesitate to use these emergency hotlines:

Disaster and Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

If you need help, text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor within 5 minutes.

Sword and Verse

Bee here! This morning I finished a book called Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan. Here's the info:

Raisa was only a child when she was kidnapped and enslaved in Qilara. Forced to serve in the palace of the King, she’s endured hunger, abuse, and the harrowing fear of discovery. Everyone knows that Raisa is Arnath, but not that she is a Learned One, a part of an Arnath group educated in higher order symbols. In Qilara, this language is so fiercely protected that only the King, the Prince, and Tutors are allowed to know it. So when the current Tutor-in-training is executed for sharing the guarded language with slaves and Raisa is chosen to replace her, Raisa knows that, although she may have a privileged position among slaves, any slipup could mean death.

That would be challenging enough, but training alongside Prince Mati could be her real undoing. And when a romance blossoms between them, she’s suddenly filled with a dangerous hope for something she never before thought possible: more. Then she’s approached by the Resistance—an underground army of slaves—to help liberate the Arnath people. Joining the Resistance could mean freeing her people…but she’d also be aiding in the war against her beloved, an honorable man she knows wants to help the slaves.

Working against the one she loves—and a palace full of deadly political renegades—has some heady consequences. As Raisa struggles with what’s right, she unwittingly uncovers a secret that the Qilarites have long since buried…one that, unlocked, could bring the current world order to its knees.

And Raisa is the one holding the key.


Wow what a description! This is the story of a girl who makes a lot of hard choices to help those she loves and her own people. Though sometimes those priorities conflict, she trusts who she is and makes decisions with confidence. If you like strong female heroines and kings who are not quite what they seem, give this book a shot!

     Hey there, Bee here!
     Over the past few years I've been following along with a series called Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass. Last month she released the very last book in the series called Kingdom of Ash. WOW was it ever a good one. This entire series is fantastic for those of you who enjoy complicated storylines filled with fantasy and action elements.

     Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius has sacrificed everything to preserve and defend her kingdom. Locked in an iron coffin while the Queen of the Fae submits her to torture, she knows she must prevail in order to save her friends and the kingdom she loves so much. 
     While Aelin is being held by Maeve, the rest of her friends are split up into three groups: one establishing the defense at Terrasen, one desperately searching for Aelin, and one searching for a way to collect the final Wyrd Key to banish the Valg from their realm forever while attempting to unite all of witch-kind.
     In a truly spectacular, intricated series finale Maas ties up each little storyline with a tight bow. WOW I just can't get over how good this was. Be warned: if you're looking for a quick read, this one is not for you. The background of the previous books is very necessary to understand what is happening in this one. But for those of you in it for the long haul: enjoy!

Reflections: A New Take On a Classic Story

Hey there, B here! Today I've got a new take on a classic tale for you. Who doesn't love Mulan, the story of a girl who joins the army in her father's place and ends up saving China?! And who can forget that heart-wrenching scene when Shang finds out that Ping is actually Mulan because of an injury?

Well, what if that Mulan never got injured? Suppose that Shang saved her from the wicked slash of Shan Yu's sword. That's what you'll get when you start... 

When Captain Shang is mortally wounded by Shan Yu in battle, Mulan must travel to the Underworld, Diyu, in order to save him from certain death. But King Yama, the ruler of Diyu, is not willing to give Shang up easily. With the help of Shang's great lion guardian ShiShi, Mulan must traverse Diyu to find Shang's spirit, face harrowing obstacles, and leave by sunrise--or become King Yama's prisoner forever. Moreover, Mulan is still disguised as the soldier called Ping, wrestling with the decision to reveal her true identity to her closest friend. Will Mulan be able to save Shang before it's too late? Will he ever be able to trust her again? Or will she lose him--and be lost in the Underworld--forever?

Give it a try, and tell me what you think! Good luck and stay classy, Newton Falls!

A Book for Spring

Hey there, B here! Are you looking for a book to read for Spring? Check out The Waking Land  by Callie Bates. (This book has a sequel coming out in June called Memory of Fire, and it was absolutely fantastic!)

Elanna has been raised by the King of a land that despises her own. Her skin color, blood, and very name brand her as different, and she must hide her magic at all costs or risk the wrath of the witch hunters. This is the kind of magic that can awaken her ancestors, the earth under her feet, and cause the very trees to walk.
When the King dies and Elanna is accused of murder, she must go on the run. Along the way, she meets lost family, strangers hiding in plain sight, and even the might of her own power.

Try this book while the land comes to life around you, and then come back for the sequel!

Reviews from Book Bites

Monster High: Haunted by Perdita Finn
Review by Syxx
There is a mean principal that gives everybody chores, so Spectra tries to find out what's the matter with the mean principal. I think this book is really good and you should read it.

The Monster's Ring by Bruce Coville
Review by Carmelo
Arthur always gets bullied. One day he is getting chased by Eddie and then Eddie disappears. Arthur seeds a magic store and he enters it. There is an old man there, and he takes all Arthur's money and gives him a ring that has a monster's eye on it. At the end, Arthur turns into a dragon. I like this book because Arthur was always bullied and he finally has the chance to not get bullied anymore. I recommend this book.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
Review by Brooke
Different members of the family go on adventures across space and time. I loved this book and learned a lot about science. I recommend this book because i learned a lot and it was very suspenseful.

Mackenzie Blue by Tina Wells
Review by Syxx Moore
Mackenzie Blue's BFF moves away and she has to go to this school called Brookdale Academy. and she needs to survive. My favorite character is Mackenzie Blue because she is the main character. I loved this book because it is fiction and I love fiction books.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Review by Brooke
A girl named Molly and a stowaway named Peter team up to rescue stardust form an evil captain on a magical island.

Other Titles Discussed
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Diary of Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney
The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey
Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monkey by David Adler

Book Bites Reviews

Grace by Mary Casanova
Review by Alivia
Grace goes to Paris and she helps her uncle with a bake off and she wins it. My favorite character is Grace because she is awesome. She is a good Baker. I loved this book.

In the Heart of the Sea: The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Nathan Philbrick
Review by Paige
The Whaleship Essex is attacked by a sperm whale and the crew has to survive on three lifeboats. Their food is soaked in salt water and there is no fresh water. My favorite character is Thomas Nickerson because the story is from the view of Nickerson and he did a good job in his diary. I liked this book because it is a fast moving book and gives facts about whaleships.

The Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Review by Tori
Endurance is about an expedition to cross Antarctica led by an ambitious man, Shackleton. My favorite character is Mrs. Chippy and the navigator because Mrs. Chippy is a cat and the navigator is a courageous person. I liked and loved this book because it was emotionally moving and an incredible story.

A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori
Review by Tori
Bride's Story takes place in the 19th century silk road countries where the everyday lives of people are told through the style of manga. Kaoru Mori draws with breathtaking detail the stories of women in this time. Many of the characters throughout the story are interesting and are constantly developing. It is really easy to get into the story because the characters are so interesting. I loved this series! The story was entertaining and interesting, the art is so beautiful! This is my favorite manga series because of ti's more serious style of drawing and writing. I would recommend this book for people who are looking for an entertaining and funny manga that has wonderful drawings.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Review by Paige
Beauty queens is about a group of beauty queens who crash on an island and they have to survive. Adina, from New Hampshire is one of my favorite characters because she is an anti-pageant contestant, which is hilarious because she is in a beauty pageant. I loved this book! Libba Bray has a sense of humor that fits perfectly with the novel. Everyone should read this book because it will make you laugh throughout the whole novel.

Clementine by Marla Frazee
Review by Lauryn
Clementine cuts off Margaret's hair, then colors it red, then Clementine cuts off her own hair. Margaret colors it. Clementine tries to glue her hair on Margaret's head. Clementine is jealous of Margaret. I like Clementine and Margaret because they made me laugh and feel weird. I loved the book. I did not learn anything because it is a funny book. I love the part where Clementine says she has a beard. I recommend this book because it is awesome.


Also Discussed:
Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Clementine by Marla Frazee
The Marvels by Brian Selznick