Barrier

The Alternative

by Patrick Jones

When Jessica is diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, she finally understands why her best friend is her dog and why she breaks out in a sweat whenever she interacts with others. She hopes a fresh start at Rondo Alternative High School will help. Joining the manga club seems like a good move―especially since quirky, quiet Dylan is a member. Can a kindred spirit help her work through her anxiety? Can she overcome her fear and make some real friends?

Genres: Fiction

104 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Patrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.

Reviews

[Christie Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short novel about a girl who struggles with social anxiety disorder. While attending a new school, she gets some support and learns to cope with some of her fears. A lot of discussions can be had about being an outsider, eeling like you don't belong because you are bi-racial, making people feel welcome, anxiety, social stress, etc.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good for a quick read, but I don't think I will read the other books. I thought it would hey a little more into the reasons she had the social anxiety.

[Meg fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Alt school teacher, I love this book! It shows the truth of how mental health can truly affect a student at school. Highly recommend! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

[Mitchum]

Have you ever been teased at? Laughed at Talked about because of an disorder you have? If so, you should read The Barrier by Patrick Jones. Patrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels. The author writes his novel in a series of short stories about how a girl named Jessica attends a new school with an anxiety disorder but no one knows about it except her mother.


Jessica is in the 10th grade at Harding High School in St.Paul as Jessica starts her first day off as a 10th grader her first class is Language Arts with a teacher named Mrs.Howard-Hernandez with a big smile on her face Jessica wish she was pretty as her teacher and can stand big and tall in front of someone and not be afraid to talk to them she thought in her head, as Jessica wanted to disappear .


Lunch was slowly approaching she ask herself “ Where do it sit ? What should i eat ? “ it wasn’t that Jessica was hungry it was fear she didn't have any friends , she doesn’t know anybody and plus it’s her first day at a new school . Back into class Jessica teacher Mrs.Howard-Hernandez says they will be having their first assignment on a book called “ I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets : Six-Word Memoirs by Teens “ …

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great hi/lo story for young adult readers. It follows the story of a young adult who is diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder. I was impressed by how accurate the author portrayed the impact a social anxiety and following a treatment plan can have on school success.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for any teen struggling with anxiety.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book but at under 100 pages it's nothing spectacular. Just an easy read about a girl with social anxiety and trying to cope with it. More of a short story than anything else.