IST 605: Bibliotherapy

Wiest, B. (2016). 101 essays that will change the way you think. Thought Catalog Books.

This collection of short essays offers reflections on self-awareness, emotional healing, habits, relationships, and personal growth. Wiest's writing is concise and highly readable, making complex ideas about identity, resilience, and mindfulness accessible to high school students. Many essays focus on recognizing unhealthy patterns, building self-worth, and understanding emotional reactions, which makes it a strong bibliotherapy resource for teens seeking clarity or self-improvement. Because each essay stands alone, readers can flip to the topics most relevant to their current feelings or challenges.
 

Limitation: Some content leans abstract or philosophical, which may resonate more with older teens than younger ones.
Access: Available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats; widely carried by public libraries.

Robbins, M. (2024). The Let Them Theory: 100 rules for living the life you want. HarperCollins.

This book expands Mel Robbins’ popular “Let Them Theory” into 100 short, practical lessons on boundaries, self-worth, emotional independence, and reducing interpersonal stress. Written in a conversational and motivational style, Robbins explains how letting people “be who they are” can free teens from people-pleasing, overthinking, and the pressure to manage others’ emotions. High school students may find the bite-sized chapters easy to read and relatable, especially in the contexts of friendships, family dynamics, and social stress. The book supports bibliotherapy by encouraging self-reflection, healthier boundary-setting, and greater resilience during emotionally difficult situations.
 

Limitation: Some examples are based on adult relationships, so younger readers may need to adapt the lessons to their own lives.
Access: Widely available in libraries, bookstores, and as an audiobook or ebook.

Schab, L. M. (2021). The anxiety workbook for teens: Activities to help you deal with anxiety & worry (2nd ed.). New Harbinger Publications.

This workbook introduces cognitive-behavioral techniques through short, interactive activities designed specifically for teenagers managing anxiety and stress. Exercises focus on recognizing anxious thoughts, building coping skills, and practicing grounding strategies, making the content highly usable and practical. The language is friendly and nonjudgmental, which encourages readers to engage with the activities at their own pace. As a bibliotherapy tool, it is especially effective because it helps teens actively process their emotions rather than just read about them.
 

Limitation: Readers seeking narrative-style guidance may prefer non-workbook formats.
Access: Frequently available in school counseling offices and public libraries.

Price, C. (2025). How to break up with your phone. Ten Speed Press.

Price explains how modern phone use affects anxiety, focus, sleep, and emotional well-being, making this book highly relevant to teens navigating digital overload. The book offers a blend of research, reflective questions, and practical steps for building a healthier relationship with technology. High school readers may appreciate the humor and straightforward tone, which avoids lecturing while still delivering meaningful insights. Its relevance to stress, overthinking, and social comparison makes it a strong bibliotherapy resource.
 

Limitation: Written for adults, but the concepts easily apply to teen experiences.
Access: Available widely in both print and digital formats.

Glasgow, K. (2018). Girl in pieces. Delacorte Press.

This powerful contemporary novel follows Charlie, a teen recovering from trauma, homelessness, and self-harm as she tries to rebuild her life. Glasgow writes with sensitivity and compassion, offering an authentic portrayal of depression, recovery, and the slow, nonlinear nature of healing. High school readers may connect deeply with Charlie’s resilience and search for belonging, finding hope in her determination to move forward. As bibliotherapy, the novel validates complex emotions and reminds readers that healing is possible even when life feels overwhelming.
 

Limitation: Includes mature themes appropriate for older teens or with content consideration.
Access: Widely available in public libraries and often included in teen mental health book lists.

Dzung, X. (2015). The mindful teen: Powerful skills to help you handle stress one moment at a time. New Harbinger Publications.

This book teaches mindfulness skills specifically tailored to the daily challenges faced by teenagers, including academic pressure, social stress, and emotional overload. Each chapter includes guided exercises, real-life examples, and calming illustrations that help readers integrate mindfulness practices into their routines. Its tone is gentle and supportive, making it an effective bibliotherapy tool for teens learning to manage intense emotions. The strategies are simple enough to try immediately yet substantial enough to encourage long-term emotional resilience.
 

Limitation: Teens unfamiliar with mindfulness may need time to adjust to the reflective approach.
Access: Frequently available in school wellness centers and public libraries.

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. St. Martin’s Griffin.

This YA novel follows two outcast teenagers who form an unexpected bond through shared music, comics, and quiet moments on the school bus. Rowell captures the intensity of first love while exploring themes of belonging, self-worth, and the desire to feel safe in an unsafe world. High school readers may find comfort and connection in Eleanor and Park’s vulnerability, especially if they relate to feelings of loneliness, difference, or family stress. As a form of bibliotherapy, the story provides emotional escape through its tenderness and allows readers to process difficult emotions alongside the characters. The book balances hope with realism, offering reassurance that meaningful relationships can help us endure hardship.
 

Limitation: Contains mature themes, including bullying and domestic abuse, which may require sensitivity.
Access: Widely available in school and public libraries, as well as ebook and audiobook platforms.

Lord, E. (2016). The start of me and you. Bloomsbury.

This contemporary YA novel follows Paige Hancock as she slowly rebuilds her life one year after losing her boyfriend in a tragic accident. With gentle humor and emotional sincerity, Lord explores grief, identity, friendship, and the healing power of new beginnings. High school readers may connect deeply with Paige’s journey toward rediscovering joy, confidence, and connection after trauma. The novel is especially effective for bibliotherapy because it offers a hopeful, comforting narrative without rushing the healing process, showing that growth often happens in small, meaningful steps. Its focus on strong friendships and authentic self-discovery makes it both uplifting and emotionally grounding.
 

Limitation: Narratives involving grief may be intense for sensitive readers, but the tone remains reassuring throughout.
Access: Common in YA sections of libraries and available in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Morgenstern, E. (2020). The starless sea. Vintage.

This richly imaginative fantasy novel follows Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a graduate student who discovers a mysterious underground world filled with stories, symbols, secret societies, and timeless magic. Morgenstern’s writing is lyrical and atmospheric, creating a deeply immersive reading experience that allows high school readers to escape into a dreamy, otherworldly landscape. The novel celebrates the power of stories, the comfort of imagination, and the idea that narratives can guide us through confusion and emotional uncertainty, making it an excellent bibliotherapy resource. Its nonlinear structure encourages reflection and curiosity, inviting readers to lose themselves in metaphor and myth when real life feels overwhelming.
 

Limitation: The abstract, nonlinear plot may be challenging for readers who prefer straightforward storytelling.
Access: Widely available in public and school libraries as well as in print, ebook, and audiobook formats.