Gone are the days of ignoring that children get anxiety and the effects that it has on them. While no fictional story will ever take the place of mental health treatment, it will certainly go a long way to help children feel included. By having main characters accurately express themselves as they deal with an anxiety disorder while also interacting with family members and peers, readers are able to feel included in a world that might not always understand how to represent them authentically.
There are currently several new books in children’s literature that attempt to incorporate childhood anxiety and anxiety disorder somewhere in the characterizations and plots. I was lucky enough to speak about several of them during the CLASC Fall Literature Conference held on Long Island this past October. Of the books selected, two stood out for their inclusion and relatability of anxiety disorders in children.
Rialto by Kate Milford is a middle grade novel that details the story of Dahlia, an anxiety sufferer, and her big sister Ivy as they embark on a family trip to see friends. Dahlia is characterized as a 12 year old girl who is learning to live with her anxiety in a healthy and safe way through therapy. Ivy is struggling with how to be a good big sister and cope with Dahlia’s anxiety because it has changed a big part of their relationship. Both girls are also aware that their dad has an anxiety disorder and know how to help him cope. Having the main characters openly talk about not only their struggles with anxiety, but how they cope with anxiety attacks using different techniques and how they respond to each other amid their struggles demonstrates to the readers that anxiety isn’t anything to be ashamed of and also shows a great deal of inclusion.
Millie of the Manor by Karina Evans is a middle grade graphic novel that follows Amy as she learns to manage her social anxiety while navigating the world of middle school friendships. Having the panels to go along with Amy’s journey helps the reader identify how isolating social anxiety can be, even when sitting at a table with your family. When Amy starts to feel her anxiety or perceives that others are talking about her, the sequential art turns black and white while she remains in full color allowing the reader to understand how isolating Amy, or anyone with social anxiety, might feel at certain times. Amy suffers a public anxiety attack when she
needs to present a project in front of her class and she ends up feeling like she will never be able to have friends. The next day her peers don’t bring anything up and she even gets invited to a birthday party that requires her to arrive in the character of Millie, a scientist who will work with the other party attendees to solve the mystery. Arriving in character helps Amy channel an alter ego to help manage her anxiety.
While no one story will be able to accurately portray the challenges that every child with anxiety faces. It is empowering to see that anxiety inclusion is beginning to take shape in main characters and as plot lines in their stories.
Today’s guest blogger is Brieanne Kocka. Brieanne is a children’s librarian at Emma S. Clark Memorial library and The Smithtown Library. In another life she taught 7th English in NYC and spent several years substitute teaching on Long Island. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her 6 nieces and nephews, baking and crafting.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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The post Anxiety Inclusion in New Middle Grade Stories appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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