A review by msgabbythelibrarian
(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health by Kelly Jensen
5.0
I am using this book in the Nonfiction Category of the Extreme Book Nerd Challenge.
This book is so important. I don't care that it is marketed predominantly for teens--anyone who battles with, works with, or seeks to understand mental illness should read this award winning book. (It was given an Printz honor last week at ALA Midwinter)
The 33 stories in this volume range in length and in illness. Some are written by celebrities like Nancy Kerrigan and Kristen Bell. Some are written by YA authors. In fact, my favorite stories were shared by Victoria Schwab and Libba Bray, two YA authors. Both of their stories shared their battles with anxiety, Libba's actually took place in an airplane (in a supposed conversation between herself, her anxiety, and her OCD). I felt like I could have written that. Victoria's story was about fearing loved ones dying.....and I wrestle with the same things.
The overwhelming thing in "(Don't) Call Me Crazy" was about being real with your story. It's nothing to be ashamed of at all. We never know who has these "demons" inside of us. It's why I try to be real with the anxiety I live with every single day. And some days are better than others. But we learn to live with it. And help others. And this is a great resource that does just that.
This book is so important. I don't care that it is marketed predominantly for teens--anyone who battles with, works with, or seeks to understand mental illness should read this award winning book. (It was given an Printz honor last week at ALA Midwinter)
The 33 stories in this volume range in length and in illness. Some are written by celebrities like Nancy Kerrigan and Kristen Bell. Some are written by YA authors. In fact, my favorite stories were shared by Victoria Schwab and Libba Bray, two YA authors. Both of their stories shared their battles with anxiety, Libba's actually took place in an airplane (in a supposed conversation between herself, her anxiety, and her OCD). I felt like I could have written that. Victoria's story was about fearing loved ones dying.....and I wrestle with the same things.
The overwhelming thing in "(Don't) Call Me Crazy" was about being real with your story. It's nothing to be ashamed of at all. We never know who has these "demons" inside of us. It's why I try to be real with the anxiety I live with every single day. And some days are better than others. But we learn to live with it. And help others. And this is a great resource that does just that.