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

108 pages, Kindle Edition

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.

[ALEXANDRA DEJARNATT · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost DNF, but I managed to plow through. There are many things wrong with this book, especially the representation of social anxiety and THAT FUCKING THERPIST. The way the author approached anxiety gave me the impression that she had never experienced it before. Let's dive in before I get too hate-ful in the opening.

LONG REVIEW BE PREPARED!!

- The Anxiety Itself

So first of all- I am speaking from experience. I have anxiety, and social anxiety. Not nearly as severe as this, but I can relate to the uncomfy feeling around people and awkward situations. Now I know people are gonna be like "weLL eVerYoNe hAndLes aNxIetY diFfErEnTlY" yes I know, but this book was written in such a way there was no more to the character than her, quote unquote, "getting over her anxiety." There's little to no character development for the MC Jessica other than "I'm crazy- oh wait I'm not!" I know she's supposed to be shy and "in the background," but that's no excuse for a flat, bland character. I also got extremely upset in the way they portray therapy, and how that helps you. I understand therapy is a different experience for everyone, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think you should be having an epiphany during the first session, and needing a box of Kleenex every time. Therapy doesn't solve everything. Therapy helps you, but you have to do the work. Which, granted, she did. Very, very quickly. That's one of my biggest issues- she went to therapy and immediately everything is solved. She can confidently present her poem in front of the class, interact with students, and go to a very overwhelming comic con. One book that I think presents anxiety/depression well is "How To Become A Planet." Instead of mAgiCalLy getting over her depression, she accepts that she can't do some things because they're still overwhelming to her. If that book had done that- accepting that she can't automatically get over it- then it would've had SOME POTENTIAL. That leads me into my next subtopic- THAT GODDAMN THERAPIST.

- The So-Called Therapist

Is this person real? If she was my therapist I think I would wring her neck (or mine). I don't think the author knows what therapy is, because a therapist would never quiz the patient on the first day with an "edge in her voice." EDGE?! IN HER VOICE?? I got embaressed and STOPPED THERAPY with one person because he kind of chuckled when I was talking about my sexuality- WHAT WOULD A GIRL- with severe social anxiety, mind you- THINK WHEN THE THERAPIST FORCES HER TO TAKE A TEST WHILE SHE'S FUCKING CRYING?! Jessica is sobbing (during her first session? shouldn't there be an icebreaker? what??) and the therapist makes her take a fucking test, forcefully mind you. She also keeps saying "getting over your anxiety" or, my personal favorite "Being the Jessica you were meant to be." Wh-what does that even mean?? She's already Jessica? I don't know what therapist would say this... or why? If I was in her position I would bitch-slap her so she needs a therapist who forces her to take a test on the first day. This "therapist" dives right into her anxiety so fast I got whiplash. No character development, nothing at all. I know nothing about this therapist other than she's a power-hungry bitch. OH I forgot to mention-

- Forgotten Character

Ex-boyfriend Tim or Tid or Tip or some shit was mentioned FOR WHAT REASON? WHY IS HE HERE?? I think the author desperately needed to slip in some character development and added in the young man who broke her heart (as she mentions non-stop) but only during that chapter. After her much-needed development was done he evaporated. TipTimTid was gone. BUT BUT BUT NOW WE FEEL SAD FOR JESSICA BECAUSE HER HEART WAS BROKEN BOO HOO WAHH no. I feel nothing toward her because there's nothing about her to care about.

- Summary

As you can tell, I hate this book with a passion. I don't usually write reviews like this but... the hate in my heart was irresistible. Anxiety was so misrepresented it was her whole personality. There's nothing else to her. The book is so fast moving that the author can't fit in anything such as smaller details like WHO TF IS TIP?? WHY IS HE HERE okay that's it about tip I'm sorry :P But I would not recommend reading this if you feel like having a good day today.

[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.