Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

My brand-new (as of yesterday!) 14-year-old grabbed Just Roll With It off the library shelf one day when she actually had space on her card; instead of returning it when she finished with it, I slipped it onto my shelf, where (like most books) it’s been for far too long. No more! On my kids’ first day back in school I did enough of my scripture study during the day that I actually had enough reading time before bed to finish it; now I get to pass it on to whomever else wants to devour–umm, read–it before it heads back for good. (My one girlie will most certainly REread it–possibly more than once–and my youngest will dive in as well, because graphic novels.) The best thing is? I’m happy to have them read (or reread) it, because any story of a kid struggling out of a mental health quagmire enough to get the help he or she needs is exactly the kind of story I need my kids to experience.

Maggie is starting middle school and worried about making friends, about living up to her sisters’ accomplishments, about–just about anything; she uses her D20 die to help her make all kinds of decisions, even if her roll means she can’t do something she might actually want to do. Her family is (understandably) worried about her, but she’s initially resistant, because doesn’t therapy mean something’s wrong with you? (Spoiler alert–Nope. But as far as our society has come even in the last 20 years, we still have a ways to go in regards to mental health awareness and destigmatization.) Through a supportive friend (and loving family), however, she manages to both face a few of her fears AND recognize how limiting some of her others can be. Maggie’s story is perfect for tweens and teens trying to figure out their world–as well as the people who love them.

Bottom line? Don’t miss this one.