Author John Schu Wishes He Read Mental Health Books Like These as a Kid: 'This Will Save Lives' (Exclusive)
The "rock star librarian" chose picture books, middle-grade books and a YA collection that he needed as a young person
Good books about mental health for kids and teens can be hard to find, and less-than-stellar ones can hurt more than they help. That's why we asked author and librarian John Schu — best-known online as “Mr. Schu” — for his recommendations.
Schu has been called a "rock star librarian" by Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden and is also a former children’s librarian for Bookelicious and former Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs. He's also the author of Louder Than Hunger, a fictionalized account of the author’s experiences living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder.
“I spent more than two years in and out of multiple inpatient and outpatient treatment programs and facilities for anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression," Schu says, in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "I hope it helps [readers] ask for help. I hope it helps build empathy and understanding in readers of all ages. I hope it helps heal hearts.”
Below, Schu chose a selection of books that deal with mental health for kids and teens of all ages.
'Gray' by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Lauren Child
Candlewick
'Gray' by Laura Dockrill and Lauren ChildI was lucky enough to be a full-time school librarian for nine years. If I were still in a school library, I would read aloud and discuss this picture book with every class in kindergarten through fifth grade. It would help us have important conversations about our moods and feelings.
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'Just Like Millie,' byLauren Castillo
Candlewick
'Just Like Millie' by Lauren CastilloI’m the unofficial president of the Lauren Castillo Fan Club. I love how she shares her heart through art in a beautiful way in everything she creates. Just Like Millie is an authentic exploration of anxiety and how a child opens up her heart to a dog.
'The Rock in My Throat,' by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin
Carolrhoda Books
'The Rock in My Throat' by Kao Kalia Yang and Jiemei LinI wish I could have written about this book in The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life. It is about a girl finding her voice in a new language. It is a moving picture book that goes directly from the heart to one’s home library. Buy it. Share it. Discuss it.
'Maybe Tomorrow?' by Charlotte Agell and illustrated by Ana Ramírez González
I think about and recommend this poignant picture book often. It is a story about grief, how it can weigh us down, but how over time, our friends can help share the burden and in the process make it smaller and more manageable.
'Growing Pangs' by Kathryn Ormsbee, illustrated by Molly Brooks
I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder in the eighth grade. My heart needed this book in middle school. It would have helped me better understand my brain. It would have helped me feel less alone. Thankfully, it is now in the world.
'Unstuck' by Barbara Dee
Every middle school library needs a full set of Barbara Dee’s books. Her writing reminds me of Judy Blume. Unstuck focuses on academic stress, unhealthy relationships, and finding a way to become unstuck.
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'Drawing Deena' by Hena Khan
Oh, this book touched my heart! It inspired me. I connected on a deeply personal level with Deena and the anxiety knots she feels in her stomach. What a powerful and remarkable read!
'Ab(Solutely Normal) Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes' edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen
I spent almost two years in and out of residential treatment centers for anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression in the ‘90s. I’m not exaggerating when I write that this collection of stories by 16 extraordinary authors will save lives. It breaks down stereotypes. It is extraordinary.
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