The tween and teen years are a formative period. They’re a time when big topics like mental health, body image, challenging family and friendship situations, romantic relationships, and more begin to matter in new ways. A great way for young people to access helpful information on big topics is, of course, through books. If someone’s not ready to ask a question about a tricky topic in person, they may feel more comfortable finding answers in the books they pick up.
Books not only provide handy information and resources, but they also offer windows into experiences people can relate to. There’s something so cathartic about feeling seen when you’re reading a book–or, for those trying to navigate a difficult situation like how to talk to their family about coming out or dealing with peer pressure, books can share ideas on how to handle such situations.
I worked in a library once that had a sign in the nonfiction section listing the Dewey Decimal call numbers for tough topics. It included a range of sensitive themes, such as acne, abusive relationships, disordered eating, and more, and it shared where books about these subjects coul...
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