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Ab[solutely] Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes
Channeling their own experiences, sixteen exceptional authors subvert mental health stereotypes in a powerful and uplifting collection of fiction.
A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncontrollable tears but finds that in doing so he’s helping to enable another’s healing. In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose, verse, and graphics, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes as they remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean that you’re defined by it. Each story is followed by a note from its author to the reader, and comprehensive back matter includes bios for the contributors as well as a collection of relevant resources.
With contributions by:
Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork
A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncontrollable tears but finds that in doing so he’s helping to enable another’s healing. In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose, verse, and graphics, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes as they remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean that you’re defined by it. Each story is followed by a note from its author to the reader, and comprehensive back matter includes bios for the contributors as well as a collection of relevant resources.
With contributions by:
Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2023
93 people are currently reading
2392 people want to read
About the author
Nora Shalaway Carpenter
10 books113 followersNora Shalaway Carpenter's novels and anthologies have been named "Best of the Year" by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, Bank Street Books, and A Mighty Girl, and have won accolades including the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, the Whippoorwill Award for authentic rural fiction, and the Nautilus Award championing "better books for a better world." She holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and serves as faculty for the Highlights Foundation's Whole Novel Workshop and Intro to Short Fiction class. Learn more at noracarpenterwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
April 12, 2023
In a Nutshell: An anthology talking about mental health issues in young adults, written by PoC authors who have actually gone through the same either themselves or through a family member. Great theme, great rep, thought-provoking and varied content.
This collection of sixteen stories begins with a brilliant note by the editors. Did you know that the US Surgeon General has issued a warning about a national youth mental health crisis? Or that 49.5% of adolescents are suffering from or have suffered some mental health disorder at some point in their lives? Or that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between ten and thirty-four in the US? Shocking!
Moreover, the editors highlight how fiction usually portrays characters with mental health issues as quirky. Such an unrealistic depiction doesn’t help those who actually live with the problem.
Such an anthology is then not just a good addition but a must-read to know more about one of the most important prevailing issues affecting youngsters that still gets ignored or dismissed.
Here’s what makes this collection even more special:
♡ All contributors to this anthology have lived experiences of mental health conditions that their protagonists suffer from.
♡ The mental health issue isn’t the main identity of the protagonist but something that impacts their routine life. In other words, the characters are shown as regular humans with mental health problems. No stereotyped pop culture portrayal!
♡ The stories are not just about the common issues just as depression, anxiety or PTSD. I learnt about several new mental health problems through this collection.
♡ As the target audience is the YA age group, every main character is in the same age group, thus making it easier for readers to connect with the protagonist.
♡ While this is an anthology, don’t expect only stories herein. In addition to fictional prose, you also have poems, an epistolary tale, a graphic comic, and a one-act play. Moreover, the stories tackles various genres such as fantasy, contemporary drama, and sci-fi.
♡ The sixteen authors are diverse in ethnic, sexual, religious, and gender backgrounds, as well as age and socio economic status, ensuring genuine intersectionality and accuracy of representation.
♡ Each story highlights one point: the importance of support and of not giving up. You are never alone, no matter what your mind tells you. Having someone to speak to makes a world of difference, and every tale reiterates this simple but important message.
♡ There is a personal note from the contributor at the end of each story, detailing their own struggles with mental health issues.
♡ There are detailed resources at the end in case the reader wishes to seek help.
Of the sixteen stories, six reached or crossed the four star mark for me. My absolute favourite was ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’ by Anna Drury – a lovely story that warms the heart, and ‘A Body With Holes’ by Ebony Stewart – a brilliant poem highlighting PTSD. Other notable stories for me were ‘They call me Hurricane’ by Rocky Callen, ‘Peculiar Falls’ by Jonathan Lenore Kastin, ‘A Bridge Over Silence’ by Karen Jialu Bao, and ‘Almost Beautiful’ by Marcella Pixley.
Keep in mind that I am not a YA, and the YA genre isn’t really my cup of tea. I had picked this collection up more for the theme, and it does perfect justice to it. I am sure a reader belonging to the target age group would appreciate this collection even more. That said, I wouldn’t restrict the target audience only to YAs with mental health problems. All of us need to read more and genuine portrayals of characters with such problems so that we can not only ask for help if we need to, but offer help when it seems to be required.
A tiny wave of support to that amazing title: having a mental health issue is definitely not AbNormal but Absolutely Normal. Brilliant!
3.6 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the stories.
My thanks to Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
This collection of sixteen stories begins with a brilliant note by the editors. Did you know that the US Surgeon General has issued a warning about a national youth mental health crisis? Or that 49.5% of adolescents are suffering from or have suffered some mental health disorder at some point in their lives? Or that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between ten and thirty-four in the US? Shocking!
Moreover, the editors highlight how fiction usually portrays characters with mental health issues as quirky. Such an unrealistic depiction doesn’t help those who actually live with the problem.
Such an anthology is then not just a good addition but a must-read to know more about one of the most important prevailing issues affecting youngsters that still gets ignored or dismissed.
Here’s what makes this collection even more special:
♡ All contributors to this anthology have lived experiences of mental health conditions that their protagonists suffer from.
♡ The mental health issue isn’t the main identity of the protagonist but something that impacts their routine life. In other words, the characters are shown as regular humans with mental health problems. No stereotyped pop culture portrayal!
♡ The stories are not just about the common issues just as depression, anxiety or PTSD. I learnt about several new mental health problems through this collection.
♡ As the target audience is the YA age group, every main character is in the same age group, thus making it easier for readers to connect with the protagonist.
♡ While this is an anthology, don’t expect only stories herein. In addition to fictional prose, you also have poems, an epistolary tale, a graphic comic, and a one-act play. Moreover, the stories tackles various genres such as fantasy, contemporary drama, and sci-fi.
♡ The sixteen authors are diverse in ethnic, sexual, religious, and gender backgrounds, as well as age and socio economic status, ensuring genuine intersectionality and accuracy of representation.
♡ Each story highlights one point: the importance of support and of not giving up. You are never alone, no matter what your mind tells you. Having someone to speak to makes a world of difference, and every tale reiterates this simple but important message.
♡ There is a personal note from the contributor at the end of each story, detailing their own struggles with mental health issues.
♡ There are detailed resources at the end in case the reader wishes to seek help.
Of the sixteen stories, six reached or crossed the four star mark for me. My absolute favourite was ‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart’ by Anna Drury – a lovely story that warms the heart, and ‘A Body With Holes’ by Ebony Stewart – a brilliant poem highlighting PTSD. Other notable stories for me were ‘They call me Hurricane’ by Rocky Callen, ‘Peculiar Falls’ by Jonathan Lenore Kastin, ‘A Bridge Over Silence’ by Karen Jialu Bao, and ‘Almost Beautiful’ by Marcella Pixley.
Keep in mind that I am not a YA, and the YA genre isn’t really my cup of tea. I had picked this collection up more for the theme, and it does perfect justice to it. I am sure a reader belonging to the target age group would appreciate this collection even more. That said, I wouldn’t restrict the target audience only to YAs with mental health problems. All of us need to read more and genuine portrayals of characters with such problems so that we can not only ask for help if we need to, but offer help when it seems to be required.
A tiny wave of support to that amazing title: having a mental health issue is definitely not AbNormal but Absolutely Normal. Brilliant!
3.6 stars, based on the average of my ratings for the stories.
My thanks to Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for the DRC of “Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
May 19, 2023
I found AB(SOLUTELY) NORMAL, edited by Rocky Callen, on the Libby app. Check for your local library on the app and read great books for free!📚
"Crazy isn't real, but anxiety is." p210
This collection of stories about different mental health disorders, written by authors who live with the disorders or similar ones, is one of the best books on mental health I've read in a long time. The stories themselves display varying degrees of artistry, but that's always to be expected in anthologies, and I think each story is beautiful and captivating. Part medical memoir, part spec fiction, these stories have a mood and personality all their own. I hope Callen pulls together another collection of these.
Favorite story: River Boy by James Bird:
...I'd be lying if I said crying was painless. What people don't realize is the toll it takes on your body if you do it enough. Constant crying gives me really bad headaches. It exhausts me. I pretty much always have a sore throat. But I'm here to be tough, to show Eve I can hang with her, so I am not going to tell her how much hiccups can hurt. p264
Rating: 🥊🥊🥊🥊 / 5 healthy coping
mechanisms
Recommend? Definitely
Finished: May 18 2023
Format: Digital
Read this if you like:
👤 Mental health rep
📒 Anthologies or collections
🗣 OWN voices stories
"Crazy isn't real, but anxiety is." p210
This collection of stories about different mental health disorders, written by authors who live with the disorders or similar ones, is one of the best books on mental health I've read in a long time. The stories themselves display varying degrees of artistry, but that's always to be expected in anthologies, and I think each story is beautiful and captivating. Part medical memoir, part spec fiction, these stories have a mood and personality all their own. I hope Callen pulls together another collection of these.
Favorite story: River Boy by James Bird:
...I'd be lying if I said crying was painless. What people don't realize is the toll it takes on your body if you do it enough. Constant crying gives me really bad headaches. It exhausts me. I pretty much always have a sore throat. But I'm here to be tough, to show Eve I can hang with her, so I am not going to tell her how much hiccups can hurt. p264
Rating: 🥊🥊🥊🥊 / 5 healthy coping
mechanisms
Recommend? Definitely
Finished: May 18 2023
Format: Digital
Read this if you like:
👤 Mental health rep
📒 Anthologies or collections
🗣 OWN voices stories
May 10, 2023
This was truly a wonderful collection. Kudos to everyone involved 👏
I have hope that these stories will reach and help people, make them feel less alone. It's not easy fighting something that's invisible and complicated.
----
Review:
Introduction: Beautiful, thoughtful, caring
The way they put this anthology together was wonderful and I hope it reaches many people.
Love the content warnings before each story too,very kind.
-----
They Call me the Hurricane by Rocky Callen
- 4 stars 🌟.. I identified with Aida's inner struggle and saw some of my brain 🧠 's patterns in there. Some think depression is one thing when it is really more complicated and it's insidious and an a**hole.
Well done story, definitely reading more from this author.
A Body with Wholes by Ebony Stewart- 4 stars 🌟- a wonderful and powerful poem ✨️ and a beautiful message from the author at the end.
Spidey Sense by Nora Shalaway Carpenter-
3.5 stars 🌟 nice idea and love the idea of Nora got her "power" but it felt like the story could have been a bit longer. Wasn't feeling the romance connection either. Still would read it again.
Nothing Feels No Pain by Sonia Patel - 5 stars.. no words, just wow. Beautiful and raw.
Peculiar Falls by Jonathan Lenore Kastin - 3 stars, just okay *shrugs* I did like how anxiety was portrayed and definitely rang close to home there.
Avalanche by Nikki Grimes - 4 stars 🌟 Well done, I really felt everything she was going through and I wanted to reach through and give her a hug. I never suffered schizophrenia but the anxiety and all that I can relate to..and a certain part of the author's note.
Author's note had a few lines that had me choking up a little.
Beggars Would Ride by Val Howlett - 4 stars 🌟
Well done story. 👏 some spooky elements and an open ending that had me playing out a couple things in my mind. Connected with these characters right away and didn't want to leave them.
My sister Rafaela is a good person by Mercedes Àngel Acosta - 3.5 stars 🌟 a beautiful story about two sisters struggling with different things and dealing with them differently and how one person can affect others around them.
Couple parts I wish had been expanded on but really enjoyed this story.
---
Verbatim by Patrick Downes - 4 stars 🌟 .. no words really, beautiful/sad/powerful with a bit of light at the end.
We have the minds and hearts we're given. We have them. We have them our whole lives. We have our memories and ideas and feelings, all our hurts and sorrows. All that messiness, all our humanness, needs space, and the space is in us.
----
Back of the truck by Isabel Quintero - 4 stars 🌟
Just a well done story. 👏
Is it redundant to say I see myself here? It was...something else to read about someone with my same disorder. I always thought I was too sensitive and tried to just "get through it" getting my diagnosis not that long ago wasn't a big surprise, just felt the curtain was lifted off .
Don't Go Breaking my heart 💔 by Anna Drury- 3.5 stars...
Felt so bad for Emma in this one.. I know someone who goes through this and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Glad there's a story with this topic, there needs to be more.
A good story .
We are Stardust by Alechia Dow
4 stars 🌟
It's like someone reached inside my brain 🧠 and put my thoughts on paper.
This is a wonderful and thoughtful, kind story. It put a smile on my face and a little bit of hope too.
River boy by James Bird - 3 stars 🌟 not my favorite of the collection but a good story.
A Bridge over Silence by Karen Jialu Bao -
3.5 stars 🌟
Almost beautiful by Marcella Pixley - on hold of sorts for now.. don't want to read about the pandemic in stories right now.. will come back to it someday.
The Call: a one -act play by Franscisco X. Stork: 3.5 stars, quietly powerful ✨️ would have loved to see this on stage.
I have hope that these stories will reach and help people, make them feel less alone. It's not easy fighting something that's invisible and complicated.
----
Review:
Introduction: Beautiful, thoughtful, caring
The way they put this anthology together was wonderful and I hope it reaches many people.
Love the content warnings before each story too,very kind.
-----
They Call me the Hurricane by Rocky Callen
- 4 stars 🌟.. I identified with Aida's inner struggle and saw some of my brain 🧠 's patterns in there. Some think depression is one thing when it is really more complicated and it's insidious and an a**hole.
Well done story, definitely reading more from this author.
A Body with Wholes by Ebony Stewart- 4 stars 🌟- a wonderful and powerful poem ✨️ and a beautiful message from the author at the end.
Spidey Sense by Nora Shalaway Carpenter-
3.5 stars 🌟 nice idea and love the idea of Nora got her "power" but it felt like the story could have been a bit longer. Wasn't feeling the romance connection either. Still would read it again.
Nothing Feels No Pain by Sonia Patel - 5 stars.. no words, just wow. Beautiful and raw.
Peculiar Falls by Jonathan Lenore Kastin - 3 stars, just okay *shrugs* I did like how anxiety was portrayed and definitely rang close to home there.
Avalanche by Nikki Grimes - 4 stars 🌟 Well done, I really felt everything she was going through and I wanted to reach through and give her a hug. I never suffered schizophrenia but the anxiety and all that I can relate to..and a certain part of the author's note.
Author's note had a few lines that had me choking up a little.
Beggars Would Ride by Val Howlett - 4 stars 🌟
Well done story. 👏 some spooky elements and an open ending that had me playing out a couple things in my mind. Connected with these characters right away and didn't want to leave them.
My sister Rafaela is a good person by Mercedes Àngel Acosta - 3.5 stars 🌟 a beautiful story about two sisters struggling with different things and dealing with them differently and how one person can affect others around them.
Couple parts I wish had been expanded on but really enjoyed this story.
---
Verbatim by Patrick Downes - 4 stars 🌟 .. no words really, beautiful/sad/powerful with a bit of light at the end.
We have the minds and hearts we're given. We have them. We have them our whole lives. We have our memories and ideas and feelings, all our hurts and sorrows. All that messiness, all our humanness, needs space, and the space is in us.
----
Back of the truck by Isabel Quintero - 4 stars 🌟
Just a well done story. 👏
Is it redundant to say I see myself here? It was...something else to read about someone with my same disorder. I always thought I was too sensitive and tried to just "get through it" getting my diagnosis not that long ago wasn't a big surprise, just felt the curtain was lifted off .
Don't Go Breaking my heart 💔 by Anna Drury- 3.5 stars...
Felt so bad for Emma in this one.. I know someone who goes through this and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Glad there's a story with this topic, there needs to be more.
A good story .
We are Stardust by Alechia Dow
4 stars 🌟
It's like someone reached inside my brain 🧠 and put my thoughts on paper.
This is a wonderful and thoughtful, kind story. It put a smile on my face and a little bit of hope too.
River boy by James Bird - 3 stars 🌟 not my favorite of the collection but a good story.
A Bridge over Silence by Karen Jialu Bao -
3.5 stars 🌟
Almost beautiful by Marcella Pixley - on hold of sorts for now.. don't want to read about the pandemic in stories right now.. will come back to it someday.
The Call: a one -act play by Franscisco X. Stork: 3.5 stars, quietly powerful ✨️ would have loved to see this on stage.
Read
September 5, 2023Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes (Candlewick Press, 2023) is the excellent and much-needed forthcoming collection edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen. As the title suggests, Ab(solutely) Normal depicts young people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, bipolar disorder, menstrual-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation, as well as combinations of these syndromes. As the title also suggests, the stories acknowledge stereotypes associated with mental health struggles but move far beyond those caricatures to more realistically show the courage involved in living with such challenges.
Some of the pieces here are experimental, while others are grounded in realism. The selections include prose fiction, poetry, a one-act play, and a comic. Regardless of the form, each work succeeds artistically, at least partly because the authors creatively portray their own mental health experiences. One of my favorites is Isabel Quintero’s “Back of the Truck,” which sees María and her friends going to a nightclub where she experiences a debilitating panic attack. Readers feel the anxiety from María’s point of view but understand it more deeply because of how María responds to the varying reactions of her friends, parents, and professional helpers. Another strong selection is editor Nora Shalaway Carpenter’s “Spidey Sense,” a metaphorical thriller capturing how it feels when proper treatment leads to emergence from a mental health crisis. I also really liked James Bird’s “River Boy,” the dialogue-driven story of Hank, an Ojibwe high school sophomore who cries frequently, and Eve, the defiant Mexican girl who stands up for him despite her own feelings of being an outsider. Although it’s tempting to summarize each of Ab(solutely) Normal’s sixteen stories, discovering their variety on your own will be more satisfying. I will just say that every story is strong and important; there are no duds here.
The value of this collection lies in how it will help those with mental health challenges to feel seen while promoting empathy from those who have so far avoided such conditions. The stories normalize therapy and downplay any stigma that might be attached to it. These authors also skillfully show various ways to articulate and initialize seeking help, arguably the hardest step in treatment or recovery.
As editors, Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen made superb choices in both content and format. Inclusion and diversity were obviously important as they selected both established authors such as Nikki Grimes and Francisco X. Stork, and emerging authors whose contributions are just as valuable. Following each piece is a hope-focused testimonial from its author that provides real-world context for the literary work. Ab(solutely) Normal concludes with a resource section offering descriptions and contact information for agencies, networks, and support systems for young people (and others) that will no doubt save some lives.
Thankfully, young adult literature has been more focused on mental health issues in recent years. As awareness of the importance of mental health becomes more widespread, I’m grateful there is now a body of work that can be suggested to young readers who need to see themselves in the books they read. Whenever someone requests titles dealing with mental health, Ab(solutely) Normal will be my first recommendation.
Publication of Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes is scheduled for April 11, 2023.
If you have questions about Ab(solutely) Normal, please let me know. I'm happy to answer them or get the answers for you.
This review is also posted on my What's Not Wrong? blog in slightly different form.
Some of the pieces here are experimental, while others are grounded in realism. The selections include prose fiction, poetry, a one-act play, and a comic. Regardless of the form, each work succeeds artistically, at least partly because the authors creatively portray their own mental health experiences. One of my favorites is Isabel Quintero’s “Back of the Truck,” which sees María and her friends going to a nightclub where she experiences a debilitating panic attack. Readers feel the anxiety from María’s point of view but understand it more deeply because of how María responds to the varying reactions of her friends, parents, and professional helpers. Another strong selection is editor Nora Shalaway Carpenter’s “Spidey Sense,” a metaphorical thriller capturing how it feels when proper treatment leads to emergence from a mental health crisis. I also really liked James Bird’s “River Boy,” the dialogue-driven story of Hank, an Ojibwe high school sophomore who cries frequently, and Eve, the defiant Mexican girl who stands up for him despite her own feelings of being an outsider. Although it’s tempting to summarize each of Ab(solutely) Normal’s sixteen stories, discovering their variety on your own will be more satisfying. I will just say that every story is strong and important; there are no duds here.
The value of this collection lies in how it will help those with mental health challenges to feel seen while promoting empathy from those who have so far avoided such conditions. The stories normalize therapy and downplay any stigma that might be attached to it. These authors also skillfully show various ways to articulate and initialize seeking help, arguably the hardest step in treatment or recovery.
As editors, Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen made superb choices in both content and format. Inclusion and diversity were obviously important as they selected both established authors such as Nikki Grimes and Francisco X. Stork, and emerging authors whose contributions are just as valuable. Following each piece is a hope-focused testimonial from its author that provides real-world context for the literary work. Ab(solutely) Normal concludes with a resource section offering descriptions and contact information for agencies, networks, and support systems for young people (and others) that will no doubt save some lives.
Thankfully, young adult literature has been more focused on mental health issues in recent years. As awareness of the importance of mental health becomes more widespread, I’m grateful there is now a body of work that can be suggested to young readers who need to see themselves in the books they read. Whenever someone requests titles dealing with mental health, Ab(solutely) Normal will be my first recommendation.
Publication of Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes is scheduled for April 11, 2023.
If you have questions about Ab(solutely) Normal, please let me know. I'm happy to answer them or get the answers for you.
This review is also posted on my What's Not Wrong? blog in slightly different form.
January 16, 2024
3.5 ⭐
When I first started this I was hesitant since I wasn't a huge fan of the first few stories but I loved the second part a lot!
as always with anthologies I always wish each story was like 10 pages longer since it's hard to fully immerse yourself into a world and plot when you have so little pages to work with.
most of my favorite stories were with the ones with magical realism or fantasy elements (hello fantasy era).
I applaud the authors for all adding triggers before ever single story, it's really appreciated especially for a book with this type of subject.
When I first started this I was hesitant since I wasn't a huge fan of the first few stories but I loved the second part a lot!
as always with anthologies I always wish each story was like 10 pages longer since it's hard to fully immerse yourself into a world and plot when you have so little pages to work with.
most of my favorite stories were with the ones with magical realism or fantasy elements (hello fantasy era).
I applaud the authors for all adding triggers before ever single story, it's really appreciated especially for a book with this type of subject.
December 6, 2023
Rounded up from 4.75 stars.
I wish I had this to read when I was a teenager. I think it would have been really helpful for me to read back then, and maybe I would have spent less time thinking there was something wrong with me and trying to hide it.
Definitely appreciated the trigger warnings before each short story, though. Some of them I needed to be in the right mindset to read.
I wish I had this to read when I was a teenager. I think it would have been really helpful for me to read back then, and maybe I would have spent less time thinking there was something wrong with me and trying to hide it.
Definitely appreciated the trigger warnings before each short story, though. Some of them I needed to be in the right mindset to read.
March 7, 2024
Beautiful, creative look at obsessive compulsive disorder, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. I appreciate the perspective from writers who have experienced the issues their characters deal with, as I think this will be especially powerful for the young adult audience the book is geared toward, and love the magical realism featured in some of the stories, as well.
January 25, 2023
This book should be required reading for all teens, AND their parents and teachers. Oh, how I wish this book had been around when I was in high school!
November 4, 2023
I don't always like anthologies. There's not anything wrong with the stories or books themselves, but I usually like to take more time to get to know the characters. What happens next? Why did that end up happening? Short stories don't always do it for me.
However, this one I absolutely could not help loving.
There isn't a lot of mental health representation in many books. The way the ones we see are told is so stereotypical: depression (an overwhelming sadness); self-doubt (oh, will I be able to do it?); and grief (no, they're gone, *cry*). The books don't show the bone-deep sense of emptiness (depression), the feeling of glass skin (PTSD), obsessive thoughts (OCD), the feeling of constant fear and worry (GAD), or the lack of reason to live (suicidality). This book shows that; these authors are not afraid to share what mental disorders are really like. Ok
The stories are all interesting, and I loved them. So here's an overview of each story, poem, or play.
THEY CALL ME HURRICANE
By Rocky Callen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ Short story
This story really pulled me in. The hollowing out is something I understand. The picture of the hurricane wind and rain while Aida is being born, and then the mental hurricane that Aida experiences as she grows up was well-done. I could relate to this character; I have never had suicidal thoughts very seriously, but I have felt a lack of will to live. I didn't feel alone while reading this story.
———
A BODY WITH WHOLES
By Ebony Stewart
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Body image struggles, PTSD, depression*
▶️ Poem
Body image… Isn't that something we all deal with, in some way? We have a hard time loving our bodies as they are. Maybe we don't think we can stop thinking like that. This poem shows though that, yes, we can. From the first line of "Bodied" (My body requires too much while reminding me that I am not enough) to the last line of that poem (I kinda love it [body being imperfect]), we see that love can be given to every part of our bodies.
———
SPIDEY SENSE
By Nora Shalaway Carpenter
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*OCD*
▶️ Short story
I'm not really sure what to say about this story. It was interesting the reason for the magic becoming controllable. I haven't ever taken medication for my mental health issues, but I can see in other people how much the medicine helps them feel like themselves and feel more in control of their own lives. So. That was good.
———
NOTHING FEELS NO PAIN
By Sonia Patel
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Cutting and PTSD*
▶️ Short story
A girl has PTSD, but she doesn't remember why she gets triggered by things. And maybe she doesn't even realize exactly what her triggers are. She cuts to make it hurt less on the inside, but she's learning that cutting doesn't help. I felt like this story was of someone trying to heal.
———
PECULIAR FALLS
By Johnathan Lenore Kastin
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety*
▶️ Short story
A vampire with anxiety is the only one who can see a ghost. The ghost asks him to help save the town from an evil science teacher who wants to destroy the town. I love that a vampire is shown as the one who has anxiety, and I like that the author says in his note that he felt kind of like a vampire in his teens.
———
AVALANCHE
By Nikki Grimes
⭐⭐⭐
*Schizophrenia (family member), severe anxiety, mental breakdown*
▶️ Poem
Poems are typically not a kind of writing I love to read, and sadly this is one of the poems I don't like so much. The topic of having a mentally ill mother and gradually having a mental breakdown yourself is important to read about, but I didn't enjoy this poem.
———
BEGGARS WOULD RIDE
By Val Howlett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*PTSD, gender dysphoria, ADHD*
▶️ Short story
Hello, PTSD. Hello, gender dysphoria. Both of these have affected me for years. And I was thankful to read about a genderqueer character who experiences them. Of course, the thing causing our PTSD is different, but we have similar reactions to being triggered, based on the way it's described in this book.
———
MY SISTER RAFAELA IS A GOOD PERSON
By Mercedes Ángel Acosta
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*C-PTSD (family member), regection sensitive dysphoria, severe anxiety, ADHD*
▶️ Graphic short story
The only reason I dropped the fifth star is because I didn't love the graphic novel way of telling the story. However, I did like the actual story: two sisters, both suffering from a mental disorder (older one with C-PTSD, the younger with ADHD and RSD). They have to learn how to heal together.
———
VERBATIM
By Patrick Downes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Grief, hallucinations, disordered eating*
▶️ Written down conversation
I haven't seen a story like this one before. Grief doesn't seem like much more than a dark cloud (at most) in many stories. I was thankful that this story is out there. Grief can do odd things to our brain sometimes and this author doesn't shy away from that in his story.
———
BACK OF THE TRUCK
By Isabel Quintero
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety*
▶️ Short story
I have GAD (general anxiety disorder), and the severe panic attacks the main character in this story are familiar to me. I haven't ever had one so severe I'd be sent to the hospital, but I have had them and it is scary. I was again grateful to see a main character with severe anxiety.
———
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART
By Anna Drury
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, anxiety, depression*
▶️ Short story through letters
I like how we see both inside the mind of someone with PMDD and inside the mind of someone (her ex-boyfriend) who didn't even realize that she was experiencing that. People, even the ones closest to us, don't always realize that we are struggling as much as we are. This story shows that and it shows the way someone who learns that can open their heart to us.
———
WE ARE STARDUST
By Alechia Dow
⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts*
▶️ Short story
I didn't like this story as much. It was hard to follow. But I liked how anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts were shown.
———
RIVER BOY
By James Bird
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Constant crying (unnamed)*
▶️ Short story
This shows two things: (1) society's warped view of strength and (2) the way we can find strength in tears. Society tries to make us believe that strength is being emotionless, or at least not showing our emotions. But this story pushes that out and pulls in this idea: showing emotions is a strength.
———
A BRIDGE OVER SILENCE
By Karen Jialu Bao
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ Short story
Sexual assault by an authority figure causes the main character to not want to sing for months, maybe years, because of her PTSD. However, this book shows that sometimes talking about what happened, and your emotions around it, can help you to heal and be able to do what you used to like again.
———
ALMOST BEAUTIFUL
By Marcella Pixley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*OCD, severe anxiety*
▶️ Short story
OCD that involves thinking about death and illness is scary to read about. I have anxiety from things like that already, no OCD. But I can imagine how much worse that would be, should I have OCD and GAD. I liked this story. Again, it's a story of illness but also a story of healing just a little.
———
THE CALL: A ONE-ACT PLAY
By Francisco X. Stork
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ One-act play
A girl turns to someone whom she didn't talk to when she was supposed to. She talks to her and the girl listens and they both talk through their pain. I liked this short play.
———
My verdict is that this is a necessary book about teens and mental health. It's diverse, and it's heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I would definitely recommend this to teens in particular, but adults too should read this.
However, this one I absolutely could not help loving.
There isn't a lot of mental health representation in many books. The way the ones we see are told is so stereotypical: depression (an overwhelming sadness); self-doubt (oh, will I be able to do it?); and grief (no, they're gone, *cry*). The books don't show the bone-deep sense of emptiness (depression), the feeling of glass skin (PTSD), obsessive thoughts (OCD), the feeling of constant fear and worry (GAD), or the lack of reason to live (suicidality). This book shows that; these authors are not afraid to share what mental disorders are really like. Ok
The stories are all interesting, and I loved them. So here's an overview of each story, poem, or play.
THEY CALL ME HURRICANE
By Rocky Callen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ Short story
This story really pulled me in. The hollowing out is something I understand. The picture of the hurricane wind and rain while Aida is being born, and then the mental hurricane that Aida experiences as she grows up was well-done. I could relate to this character; I have never had suicidal thoughts very seriously, but I have felt a lack of will to live. I didn't feel alone while reading this story.
———
A BODY WITH WHOLES
By Ebony Stewart
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Body image struggles, PTSD, depression*
▶️ Poem
Body image… Isn't that something we all deal with, in some way? We have a hard time loving our bodies as they are. Maybe we don't think we can stop thinking like that. This poem shows though that, yes, we can. From the first line of "Bodied" (My body requires too much while reminding me that I am not enough) to the last line of that poem (I kinda love it [body being imperfect]), we see that love can be given to every part of our bodies.
———
SPIDEY SENSE
By Nora Shalaway Carpenter
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*OCD*
▶️ Short story
I'm not really sure what to say about this story. It was interesting the reason for the magic becoming controllable. I haven't ever taken medication for my mental health issues, but I can see in other people how much the medicine helps them feel like themselves and feel more in control of their own lives. So. That was good.
———
NOTHING FEELS NO PAIN
By Sonia Patel
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Cutting and PTSD*
▶️ Short story
A girl has PTSD, but she doesn't remember why she gets triggered by things. And maybe she doesn't even realize exactly what her triggers are. She cuts to make it hurt less on the inside, but she's learning that cutting doesn't help. I felt like this story was of someone trying to heal.
———
PECULIAR FALLS
By Johnathan Lenore Kastin
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety*
▶️ Short story
A vampire with anxiety is the only one who can see a ghost. The ghost asks him to help save the town from an evil science teacher who wants to destroy the town. I love that a vampire is shown as the one who has anxiety, and I like that the author says in his note that he felt kind of like a vampire in his teens.
———
AVALANCHE
By Nikki Grimes
⭐⭐⭐
*Schizophrenia (family member), severe anxiety, mental breakdown*
▶️ Poem
Poems are typically not a kind of writing I love to read, and sadly this is one of the poems I don't like so much. The topic of having a mentally ill mother and gradually having a mental breakdown yourself is important to read about, but I didn't enjoy this poem.
———
BEGGARS WOULD RIDE
By Val Howlett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*PTSD, gender dysphoria, ADHD*
▶️ Short story
Hello, PTSD. Hello, gender dysphoria. Both of these have affected me for years. And I was thankful to read about a genderqueer character who experiences them. Of course, the thing causing our PTSD is different, but we have similar reactions to being triggered, based on the way it's described in this book.
———
MY SISTER RAFAELA IS A GOOD PERSON
By Mercedes Ángel Acosta
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*C-PTSD (family member), regection sensitive dysphoria, severe anxiety, ADHD*
▶️ Graphic short story
The only reason I dropped the fifth star is because I didn't love the graphic novel way of telling the story. However, I did like the actual story: two sisters, both suffering from a mental disorder (older one with C-PTSD, the younger with ADHD and RSD). They have to learn how to heal together.
———
VERBATIM
By Patrick Downes
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Grief, hallucinations, disordered eating*
▶️ Written down conversation
I haven't seen a story like this one before. Grief doesn't seem like much more than a dark cloud (at most) in many stories. I was thankful that this story is out there. Grief can do odd things to our brain sometimes and this author doesn't shy away from that in his story.
———
BACK OF THE TRUCK
By Isabel Quintero
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety*
▶️ Short story
I have GAD (general anxiety disorder), and the severe panic attacks the main character in this story are familiar to me. I haven't ever had one so severe I'd be sent to the hospital, but I have had them and it is scary. I was again grateful to see a main character with severe anxiety.
———
DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART
By Anna Drury
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, anxiety, depression*
▶️ Short story through letters
I like how we see both inside the mind of someone with PMDD and inside the mind of someone (her ex-boyfriend) who didn't even realize that she was experiencing that. People, even the ones closest to us, don't always realize that we are struggling as much as we are. This story shows that and it shows the way someone who learns that can open their heart to us.
———
WE ARE STARDUST
By Alechia Dow
⭐⭐⭐
*Anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts*
▶️ Short story
I didn't like this story as much. It was hard to follow. But I liked how anxiety, depression, and obsessive thoughts were shown.
———
RIVER BOY
By James Bird
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Constant crying (unnamed)*
▶️ Short story
This shows two things: (1) society's warped view of strength and (2) the way we can find strength in tears. Society tries to make us believe that strength is being emotionless, or at least not showing our emotions. But this story pushes that out and pulls in this idea: showing emotions is a strength.
———
A BRIDGE OVER SILENCE
By Karen Jialu Bao
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ Short story
Sexual assault by an authority figure causes the main character to not want to sing for months, maybe years, because of her PTSD. However, this book shows that sometimes talking about what happened, and your emotions around it, can help you to heal and be able to do what you used to like again.
———
ALMOST BEAUTIFUL
By Marcella Pixley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*OCD, severe anxiety*
▶️ Short story
OCD that involves thinking about death and illness is scary to read about. I have anxiety from things like that already, no OCD. But I can imagine how much worse that would be, should I have OCD and GAD. I liked this story. Again, it's a story of illness but also a story of healing just a little.
———
THE CALL: A ONE-ACT PLAY
By Francisco X. Stork
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Depression, suicidal ideation*
▶️ One-act play
A girl turns to someone whom she didn't talk to when she was supposed to. She talks to her and the girl listens and they both talk through their pain. I liked this short play.
———
My verdict is that this is a necessary book about teens and mental health. It's diverse, and it's heartbreaking and healing at the same time. I would definitely recommend this to teens in particular, but adults too should read this.
April 22, 2023
This superb collection of works is targeted to a young adult audience, although anyone who finds it engaging to read short pieces (stories, poems, one-act plays) where characters struggle with mental health issues will want to read this. The characters (and authors) represent white, LGBTQ, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Jewish populations, and face a variety of issues in their lives. Each piece concludes with a short letter from the author to the reader about his/her/their experience with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or whatever the character struggles with. Wish I could give it more stars . . .
October 15, 2023
An incredible collection of short stories about mental health. From depression to anxiety to body dysmorphia. Each author has a connection to each story they have written. Some were funny, some made me tear up. All of them gave the same message: mental health is real and it’s ok to discuss it. If you need help, help is where you least expect it. I will say my favorite was the story about the ghost and vampire. I would love to see that as a full novel!
October 4, 2024
Wow!!! I loved this book so much. Such a beautiful idea and such a wider span of mental health problems than what’s usually touched on in books!!! There were so many different forms of short story in here too, you had a basic descriptive fiction format but there was also free verse, play script, and graphic novel! Everything in here was handled with such care and love and you could tell it was a passion project. Well done to every author. Verbatim was my fave <3
May 29, 2023
I highly recommend this to anyone who has struggled with their mental health, or has been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Just being able to read about other people’s experiences in a collection is soo empowering, I love being able to relate to others & know that I’m not alone. Also a great read for Mental Health Awareness Month!! 4.5/5 stars :)
November 7, 2023
4.5 stars - every high school ELA classroom should have multiple copies of this important YA book.
August 21, 2024
3.5 stars
I think this is a powerful read for anyone, particularly those struggling with mental health issues. Many of the short stories were hard to read because they were so sad. It certainly makes the reader more empathetic to what others are experiencing. I think some of these could be used in class to add unique voices and perspectives to the curriculum.
I think this is a powerful read for anyone, particularly those struggling with mental health issues. Many of the short stories were hard to read because they were so sad. It certainly makes the reader more empathetic to what others are experiencing. I think some of these could be used in class to add unique voices and perspectives to the curriculum.
January 31, 2024
This was a collection of short stories written by authors who are familiar with and deal with mental health issues. The stories were insightful and allowed access into their everyday struggles through characterization. I did find some of the stories to be a bit confusing.
September 28, 2023
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
Written by authors of various ethnicities, sexualities and gender identities, Ab(solutely) Normal is an anthology of sixteen mixed-genre fiction that focuses on mental health and subverting the stereotypes attached to it.
Kicking off this anthology is ‘They Call Me Hurricane’ which centres around a young boxer whose father had passed and every day becomes a struggle for her and her mother to get by. While I think that the author was trying to make Aida’s emotions more punch-like by utilising reiterations, I also felt that the narrative was too repetitive. There was just too much telling and not enough showing, which made the story too straightforward despite the complexity of Aida’s struggles. The romance thrown in here also felt a little off.
Following the first piece is ‘A Body with Wholes’ which is a collection of poetry and prose that focuses on struggles relating to body image. While I liked the messages behind it, I personally prefer stronger rhythms so not every piece here was to my liking.
The third piece is ‘Spider Sense’ wherein a girl with OCD is somehow able to sense the world around her and feel a pull when creatures and people need help. It’s an interesting piece with a lot of potential but was alas, too brief. I think it would’ve been better as a full-fledged book.
‘Nothing Feels No Pain’ comes next and it features toxic relationships, cutting and PTSD. I wished there was a complete focus on Vijali’s relationship with her mother instead of the whole drama she had with Kaminari because the romance sincerely felt inessential here and what Vijali needed to work on was the strained relationship between her and her mum.
Fifth is ‘Peculiar Falls’ where an anxious vampire boy meets a girl ghost who tasks him with saving their town because he’s the only one who can see her. Although I’m glad there’s no unnecessary romance here, the story is still incredibly cliché and truthfully, it felt pointless too.
As a piece that references schizophrenia and severe anxiety, ‘Avalanche’ is written as a short verse novel that’s sadly, not as impactful as I’d hoped for. Additionally, when I reached this point of the anthology, I started feeling that every piece is a repeat that’s merely executed differently. While I understand that there will be similarities in the processes that people in similar situations go through, it still makes everything repetitive in this collection.
And, again, is romance truly necessary in ‘Beggars Would Ride’ ? I’m all for love when it’s written well, but the girl our narrator here is crushing on had only just broken up with her cheater of a boyfriend so the twist that she also liked our narrator back the whole time is hella sus? Also, the other twist related to the girl is so out of the blue?? Other than that, as cool as the wishing well aspect is, I think it’s a needleless addition to the story too. Nevertheless, I like where this short story ended and how it’s more realistic than the earlier short stories, though it did feel pointless as well.
As the eighth piece, I’m so happy that ‘My Sister Rafaela is a Good Person’ marked the beginning of an upturn in this anthology. This short comic was such a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the scenes where Ana interacts with her therapist and the realistic take this comic has on therapy, but I do have to admit that the abrupt time skips made it feel rushed.
Continuing the upturn is ‘Verbatim’ , a strong, emotional play-like dialogue between a grieving boy who was in a car accident after trying to save his deceased younger brother and a chaplain visiting him at the hospital. This piece had the exact kind of emotional impact/thought-provoking aspect that I wanted from this entire anthology.
Next is ‘Back of the Truck’ where the narrator who has obsessive thoughts and severe anxiety goes clubbing but an unintentional slip disrupts her groove and leads to an anxiety attack. This piece is one of the more realistic ones, plus it’s free from superfluous romance which I greatly appreciated.
Eleventh is ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ , which honestly, is one of my least favourites in this anthology because it has so much telling instead of showing. What made it an even more tedious read for me is that it’s a cheesy pomposal where the girl leads a guy through this treasure hunt thing where he has to find the next person holding the next confession-letter for him to read before ending up in front of said girl asking him to prom.
Fortunately, ‘We Are Stardust’ is an interesting short story that returned to me the hope I had for this anthology. I really liked how it’s about stars falling to earth and they turn into humans after wishing for company because they’re lonely. The hopeful, kind tone made this piece touching.
‘River Boy’ , on the other hand, featured a male character prone to crying and a strong female character — a combination that’s different and interesting for the message it’s sending, but this also made the short story feel too try-hard.
Following ‘River Boy’ is ‘A Bridge Over Silence’ which is about how it feels to start feeling again, and I think this piece would’ve been more impactful and beautiful had it been a novel instead. Again, there’s too much telling and not enough showing. However, the tone of the narrative does reflect Rachel’s muted world after all that she went through. The switch from Joanna to Jo was a little sudden, though I’d like to think it’s like a mental switch to flip Rachel’s brain back to starting to relearn how to feel again.
The second last piece of this anthology is ‘Almost Beautiful’ and it’s powerful, emotionally impactful and hits close to home for anyone who has or has had a loved one who’s been hospitalised for anything serious.
Lastly, we have ‘The Call, a One Act Play’ , a piece wherein an almost stranger of a girl calls another in the dead of the night. As with the others, I think this would’ve had an incredibly strong emotional impact had it had more pages to it. In its current state, it feels like only a glimpse of its power and potential was given to us readers…
Overall, while some mental health stereotypes and misconceptions were subverted, other tropes unrelated to the topic gained a bigger presence and overshadowed the efforts placed in the aforementioned subversion. While I greatly appreciated them showing the reality that those struggling with mental health are also very normal people, I think just about all of the romances here felt forced and unneeded. Like, must romance ensue just because two people appear in the same feature?
Moreover, I think that many of the short stories here could’ve been more impactful and memorable had they been better fleshed out. Some were too barebones and shallow, others were too rushed and disjointed — but, all had so much potential so it was such a shame that their potentials weren’t met.
Written by authors of various ethnicities, sexualities and gender identities, Ab(solutely) Normal is an anthology of sixteen mixed-genre fiction that focuses on mental health and subverting the stereotypes attached to it.
Kicking off this anthology is ‘They Call Me Hurricane’ which centres around a young boxer whose father had passed and every day becomes a struggle for her and her mother to get by. While I think that the author was trying to make Aida’s emotions more punch-like by utilising reiterations, I also felt that the narrative was too repetitive. There was just too much telling and not enough showing, which made the story too straightforward despite the complexity of Aida’s struggles. The romance thrown in here also felt a little off.
Following the first piece is ‘A Body with Wholes’ which is a collection of poetry and prose that focuses on struggles relating to body image. While I liked the messages behind it, I personally prefer stronger rhythms so not every piece here was to my liking.
The third piece is ‘Spider Sense’ wherein a girl with OCD is somehow able to sense the world around her and feel a pull when creatures and people need help. It’s an interesting piece with a lot of potential but was alas, too brief. I think it would’ve been better as a full-fledged book.
‘Nothing Feels No Pain’ comes next and it features toxic relationships, cutting and PTSD. I wished there was a complete focus on Vijali’s relationship with her mother instead of the whole drama she had with Kaminari because the romance sincerely felt inessential here and what Vijali needed to work on was the strained relationship between her and her mum.
Fifth is ‘Peculiar Falls’ where an anxious vampire boy meets a girl ghost who tasks him with saving their town because he’s the only one who can see her. Although I’m glad there’s no unnecessary romance here, the story is still incredibly cliché and truthfully, it felt pointless too.
As a piece that references schizophrenia and severe anxiety, ‘Avalanche’ is written as a short verse novel that’s sadly, not as impactful as I’d hoped for. Additionally, when I reached this point of the anthology, I started feeling that every piece is a repeat that’s merely executed differently. While I understand that there will be similarities in the processes that people in similar situations go through, it still makes everything repetitive in this collection.
And, again, is romance truly necessary in ‘Beggars Would Ride’ ? I’m all for love when it’s written well, but the girl our narrator here is crushing on had only just broken up with her cheater of a boyfriend so the twist that she also liked our narrator back the whole time is hella sus? Also, the other twist related to the girl is so out of the blue?? Other than that, as cool as the wishing well aspect is, I think it’s a needleless addition to the story too. Nevertheless, I like where this short story ended and how it’s more realistic than the earlier short stories, though it did feel pointless as well.
As the eighth piece, I’m so happy that ‘My Sister Rafaela is a Good Person’ marked the beginning of an upturn in this anthology. This short comic was such a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed the scenes where Ana interacts with her therapist and the realistic take this comic has on therapy, but I do have to admit that the abrupt time skips made it feel rushed.
Continuing the upturn is ‘Verbatim’ , a strong, emotional play-like dialogue between a grieving boy who was in a car accident after trying to save his deceased younger brother and a chaplain visiting him at the hospital. This piece had the exact kind of emotional impact/thought-provoking aspect that I wanted from this entire anthology.
Next is ‘Back of the Truck’ where the narrator who has obsessive thoughts and severe anxiety goes clubbing but an unintentional slip disrupts her groove and leads to an anxiety attack. This piece is one of the more realistic ones, plus it’s free from superfluous romance which I greatly appreciated.
Eleventh is ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ , which honestly, is one of my least favourites in this anthology because it has so much telling instead of showing. What made it an even more tedious read for me is that it’s a cheesy pomposal where the girl leads a guy through this treasure hunt thing where he has to find the next person holding the next confession-letter for him to read before ending up in front of said girl asking him to prom.
Fortunately, ‘We Are Stardust’ is an interesting short story that returned to me the hope I had for this anthology. I really liked how it’s about stars falling to earth and they turn into humans after wishing for company because they’re lonely. The hopeful, kind tone made this piece touching.
‘River Boy’ , on the other hand, featured a male character prone to crying and a strong female character — a combination that’s different and interesting for the message it’s sending, but this also made the short story feel too try-hard.
Following ‘River Boy’ is ‘A Bridge Over Silence’ which is about how it feels to start feeling again, and I think this piece would’ve been more impactful and beautiful had it been a novel instead. Again, there’s too much telling and not enough showing. However, the tone of the narrative does reflect Rachel’s muted world after all that she went through. The switch from Joanna to Jo was a little sudden, though I’d like to think it’s like a mental switch to flip Rachel’s brain back to starting to relearn how to feel again.
The second last piece of this anthology is ‘Almost Beautiful’ and it’s powerful, emotionally impactful and hits close to home for anyone who has or has had a loved one who’s been hospitalised for anything serious.
Lastly, we have ‘The Call, a One Act Play’ , a piece wherein an almost stranger of a girl calls another in the dead of the night. As with the others, I think this would’ve had an incredibly strong emotional impact had it had more pages to it. In its current state, it feels like only a glimpse of its power and potential was given to us readers…
Overall, while some mental health stereotypes and misconceptions were subverted, other tropes unrelated to the topic gained a bigger presence and overshadowed the efforts placed in the aforementioned subversion. While I greatly appreciated them showing the reality that those struggling with mental health are also very normal people, I think just about all of the romances here felt forced and unneeded. Like, must romance ensue just because two people appear in the same feature?
Moreover, I think that many of the short stories here could’ve been more impactful and memorable had they been better fleshed out. Some were too barebones and shallow, others were too rushed and disjointed — but, all had so much potential so it was such a shame that their potentials weren’t met.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! Ab(solutely) Normal edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen is available at all good bookstores.
July 2, 2023
This book is spectacular. Seriously. Whether you're someone who's been through and/or seen mental health challenges in your life or you're someone who wants to learn and relate more, this book is awesome. It covers almost every disorder you can think of, personally and accurately. I even learned a few new ones I didn't know about before (RSD in Mercedes Ángel Acosta's and PMDD in Anna Drury's. And I had forgotten about PBA in James Bird's, if that's what it was!) I loved that social anxiety (in Jonathan Lenore Kastin's, pretty much describing my everyday life without the vampire part) and (though not specifically named in Patrick Downes' story) selective mutism were included!!
Stigmas are broken down, from the talks about not just being crazy and "maybe I DO need medication and/or therapy to be okay" to "don't make what I'm feeling unimportant and overdramatic." We all act like it's just the strong and admirable thing to do, to carry on with what we're dealing with like it's a badge of honour, even if we're drowning, and we shouldn't have to. I was reminded a lot of twenty one pilots' music and songs like "broken" and "emo" by lovelytheband. (Sorry for only thinking of white dudes; that just tends to be the music I like.)
Lots of diversity in genres, sexual orientations, and race/heritage are also included. It's very well-done!
*Notes on individual stories*
- Nikki Grimes' story and personal note: I wish people like her MC got more support. It makes me sad how many of us have to be alone and grow up too fast, dealing with so much.
- A theme in Sonia Patel's: Yes!! We need to help people, not just imprison them! I was also reminded of "Inertia" by Veronica Roth while reading this.
- Mercedes Ángel Acosta's story: Also covers the difficulty (very real to people like me) of when more than one family member is struggling with a disorder, which is only makes things even trickier.
- Anna Drury's story: She paints such a vivid picture of what it really is like to look like you're living normal, boring life, but inside, you're a hidden, swirling storm. It's so real!
- James Bird's story: An addition to the main topics and issues in the story is the harm that bullying like racism can do to one's psychology. Like, I agree! Don't ruin brownies! Why are people such jerks?
- Karen Jialu Bao's story: Oh, my goodness, the irony of the song that evil assailant was practicing at the start of the MC's flashback...Reminds me of discussing "may i feel said he" by e. e. cummings with people and reading books like Off the Record by Camryn Garrett.
Overall, this anthology is for you, whether you're not the most severe case who ends up in a help center or even if you are. Everyone is included. No one is crazy. And no one should be alone. We all deserve healing and love and treatment and --- let's face it --- saving. This book is to empower all of us, to give us a voice and notice in the world, and to keep us going. Please give it a read. It is so good!!
(Also:
I don't normally do this. But since mental health is a topic that means so much to me, if somebody out there reads this review and wants to read more stories that talk about these sorts of things, then please consider checking out my short stories in my own anthology This Is For You and my novel coming out in a few months, Grace Under Fire. Some of my short stories talk about things already covered in this anthology, like depression, anxiety, and grief. But one, "Glitch," also helps to take down the stigma of schizophrenia, which wasn't really talked about in this anthology. And my novel Grace Under Fire includes talk of intermittent explosive disorder, which I think might have been alluded to in James Bird's story --- or something similar to it was --- but it was left unnamed.
- Megan Earlene Olds, Amazon author
See also https://meowolds.wixsite.com/website/...)
Stigmas are broken down, from the talks about not just being crazy and "maybe I DO need medication and/or therapy to be okay" to "don't make what I'm feeling unimportant and overdramatic." We all act like it's just the strong and admirable thing to do, to carry on with what we're dealing with like it's a badge of honour, even if we're drowning, and we shouldn't have to. I was reminded a lot of twenty one pilots' music and songs like "broken" and "emo" by lovelytheband. (Sorry for only thinking of white dudes; that just tends to be the music I like.)
Lots of diversity in genres, sexual orientations, and race/heritage are also included. It's very well-done!
*Notes on individual stories*
- Nikki Grimes' story and personal note: I wish people like her MC got more support. It makes me sad how many of us have to be alone and grow up too fast, dealing with so much.
- A theme in Sonia Patel's: Yes!! We need to help people, not just imprison them! I was also reminded of "Inertia" by Veronica Roth while reading this.
- Mercedes Ángel Acosta's story: Also covers the difficulty (very real to people like me) of when more than one family member is struggling with a disorder, which is only makes things even trickier.
- Anna Drury's story: She paints such a vivid picture of what it really is like to look like you're living normal, boring life, but inside, you're a hidden, swirling storm. It's so real!
- James Bird's story: An addition to the main topics and issues in the story is the harm that bullying like racism can do to one's psychology. Like, I agree! Don't ruin brownies! Why are people such jerks?
- Karen Jialu Bao's story: Oh, my goodness, the irony of the song that evil assailant was practicing at the start of the MC's flashback...Reminds me of discussing "may i feel said he" by e. e. cummings with people and reading books like Off the Record by Camryn Garrett.
Overall, this anthology is for you, whether you're not the most severe case who ends up in a help center or even if you are. Everyone is included. No one is crazy. And no one should be alone. We all deserve healing and love and treatment and --- let's face it --- saving. This book is to empower all of us, to give us a voice and notice in the world, and to keep us going. Please give it a read. It is so good!!
(Also:
I don't normally do this. But since mental health is a topic that means so much to me, if somebody out there reads this review and wants to read more stories that talk about these sorts of things, then please consider checking out my short stories in my own anthology This Is For You and my novel coming out in a few months, Grace Under Fire. Some of my short stories talk about things already covered in this anthology, like depression, anxiety, and grief. But one, "Glitch," also helps to take down the stigma of schizophrenia, which wasn't really talked about in this anthology. And my novel Grace Under Fire includes talk of intermittent explosive disorder, which I think might have been alluded to in James Bird's story --- or something similar to it was --- but it was left unnamed.
- Megan Earlene Olds, Amazon author
See also https://meowolds.wixsite.com/website/...)
February 23, 2023
What worked: I'm a huge fan of short story anthologies. I really loved this collection of tales that address mental illness in a way that is so relatable with how they break down the trite stereotypes that unfortunately continue to be out there. There's short stories, free verse, and even one story in graphic novel format.
A few of my favorites:
AVALANCHE by Nikki Grimes told in free verse really spoke to me about it being okay to ask for help, especially if you're the one being strong for someone else in crisis. The author at the end says:
'...People always tell me how strong I am, but you want to know a secret? No one is strong on their own. Everyone needs support...'
MY SISTER RAFAELA IS A GOOD PERSON by Mercedes Angel Acosta is about two sisters and how family members impact one another when more than one is struggling. I loved how she shows the older sister, who as a street medic is impacted by what she's witnessed, is struggling with PTSD and how the younger sister tries to reach out to her.
BACK OF THE TRUCK by Isabel Quintero addresses anxiety and panic attacks. I have GAD and panic attacks and this short story was very relatable to my own experiences as a teen and even now.
There are other shorts that address depression; sexual abuse; OCD; and suicide. Each tale addresses these topics in a way that peels back the misinformation that continues to be out there. All the authors share their own experiences in such a way that readers are sure to feel they've been seen. I know more than a few of these stories did that with me. I only wished a book like this had been around when I was a teen and a young adult. The writing is powerful, not preachy, and all resonate with hope.
Insightful anthology that is both inspiring and hopeful. I totally recommend.
Originally posted at:
https://www.yabookscentral.com/absolu...
A few of my favorites:
AVALANCHE by Nikki Grimes told in free verse really spoke to me about it being okay to ask for help, especially if you're the one being strong for someone else in crisis. The author at the end says:
'...People always tell me how strong I am, but you want to know a secret? No one is strong on their own. Everyone needs support...'
MY SISTER RAFAELA IS A GOOD PERSON by Mercedes Angel Acosta is about two sisters and how family members impact one another when more than one is struggling. I loved how she shows the older sister, who as a street medic is impacted by what she's witnessed, is struggling with PTSD and how the younger sister tries to reach out to her.
BACK OF THE TRUCK by Isabel Quintero addresses anxiety and panic attacks. I have GAD and panic attacks and this short story was very relatable to my own experiences as a teen and even now.
There are other shorts that address depression; sexual abuse; OCD; and suicide. Each tale addresses these topics in a way that peels back the misinformation that continues to be out there. All the authors share their own experiences in such a way that readers are sure to feel they've been seen. I know more than a few of these stories did that with me. I only wished a book like this had been around when I was a teen and a young adult. The writing is powerful, not preachy, and all resonate with hope.
Insightful anthology that is both inspiring and hopeful. I totally recommend.
Originally posted at:
https://www.yabookscentral.com/absolu...
April 10, 2023
Reading AB(solutely)NORMAL was such a validating and rewarding experience. The stories in this anthology dive deep into mental health and wellness issues I have NEVER seen touched upon in YA before. These stories were so good they made me wish they were longer; I'd love to read full-length versions of any of them.
As I read, one thing kept standing out to me: so many of the authors' notes contained a variation of the statement "I began experiencing _______ as a teen, but wasn't diagnosed or able to begin treatment until adulthood." This is SO common. SO many young people are left to cope on their own with conditions they can't even name, and consequently deal with the fallout for years. I truly think this book will help so many teens (and adults!) who have felt abnormal, ashamed, or isolated because of their mental health conditions.
Countless people will see their struggles reflected in these pages--the difference that will make cannot be overstated. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the contributing authors have done something phenomenal with this anthology. I can't recommend it highly enough.
As I read, one thing kept standing out to me: so many of the authors' notes contained a variation of the statement "I began experiencing _______ as a teen, but wasn't diagnosed or able to begin treatment until adulthood." This is SO common. SO many young people are left to cope on their own with conditions they can't even name, and consequently deal with the fallout for years. I truly think this book will help so many teens (and adults!) who have felt abnormal, ashamed, or isolated because of their mental health conditions.
Countless people will see their struggles reflected in these pages--the difference that will make cannot be overstated. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the contributing authors have done something phenomenal with this anthology. I can't recommend it highly enough.
October 10, 2023
Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories that Smash Mental Health Stereotypes written by Merecedes Acosta, Francisco Stork, Isabel Quintero, Jonahtan Kastin, Anna Drury, Nikki Grimes, Val Howlett, Alechia Dow, Patrickk Downes, Sonia Patel, Marcella Pixley, Ebony Stewart, Janes Bird, Karen Bao Read by Priya Ayyar, Merissa Czyz, Maxwell Glick, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Sophie Oda, Vico Ortiz, Ana Osorio, Shawn Taylor-Corbett – This title includes sixteen fictional short stories written by authors who based their submission on personal experiences. Topics include everything from anxiety to depression to PTSD. Best for mature high school students and above due to the manner in which the content is written, however individual stories may be successfully used at lower levels. With the high rate of mental health issues in teens and young adults, many students will find at least one story they can relate to. Each entry lists the issue it addresses before the story for easy identification and as a possible trigger warning. A must have for all high school libraries and counseling offices.
April 6, 2023
This absolutely fabulous collection of stories couldn't be more timely. Written by authors who have lived experience with mental health challenges, these stories are a must read for students, teachers, and parents -- those who face mental health challenges of their own, those who love and support them, and those who just want to deepen their understanding.
I especially appreciated the diversity of voices and experiences curated by editors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen. Each story takes a different angle; together, they assure readers that they are not alone in the challenges they may be facing. By tapping into their own vulnerability, the contributing writers have created stories that will serve as mirrors and windows for young readers as well as foster constructive discussions that promote empathy and understanding. An essential for any school or classroom library, and also an illuminating read!
I especially appreciated the diversity of voices and experiences curated by editors Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen. Each story takes a different angle; together, they assure readers that they are not alone in the challenges they may be facing. By tapping into their own vulnerability, the contributing writers have created stories that will serve as mirrors and windows for young readers as well as foster constructive discussions that promote empathy and understanding. An essential for any school or classroom library, and also an illuminating read!
May 25, 2023
This book. ❤️❤️❤️ AB(SOLUTELY) NORMAL is a hope-filled collection of short stories that subvert mental health stereotypes and remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean you are defined by it. There’s a piece about a girl with OCD who discovers she has magical powers, a verse poem about body image, a socially anxious vampire, and much, much more. These stories - and the thoughtful author statements that accompany them - are beautiful, hopeful, illuminating, entertaining and empowering. As someone who has struggled with social and general anxiety most of my life, I wish something like this existed when I was teen — but I’m so very glad it exists now. There is so much here for diverse readers of all ages, and this book will also be an amazing addition to school libraries and classrooms everywhere. It’s so important to remove the stigma and talk openly about mental health!
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October 11, 2024Did The First Chapter Get You Hooked? Yes
Would You Recommend This Book? Yes
I first want to give a thank you to all the authors for these beautifully written stories. There are still people who don’t know how to talk about what they are going through. In some way, I'm hopeful that by reading this, they are able to get strength to open up to someone and get help if necessary. Just know there are people out there who understand and will help you through these difficult times. You are not alone! Even after a bad Storm the sun still out.
If I remember correctly, it's made up of 16 stories, with each having its own uniqueness, and that just makes this book much more special. My personal favorite story would have to be “VERBATIM” By: Patrick Downes. I choose this story because even if some of us don’t have mental health conditions everyone at some point grieves for a loss. Additionally, mental health issues could arise from grieving a loss.
Would You Recommend This Book? Yes
I first want to give a thank you to all the authors for these beautifully written stories. There are still people who don’t know how to talk about what they are going through. In some way, I'm hopeful that by reading this, they are able to get strength to open up to someone and get help if necessary. Just know there are people out there who understand and will help you through these difficult times. You are not alone! Even after a bad Storm the sun still out.
If I remember correctly, it's made up of 16 stories, with each having its own uniqueness, and that just makes this book much more special. My personal favorite story would have to be “VERBATIM” By: Patrick Downes. I choose this story because even if some of us don’t have mental health conditions everyone at some point grieves for a loss. Additionally, mental health issues could arise from grieving a loss.
December 18, 2024
The short stories in this anthology are about teens experiencing mental health concerns. Each of the authors included a note at the end of their story that discussed how they personally have dealt with mental health struggles.
This book was actually difficult for me to read in one sitting. The pain that these characters were experiencing felt very real to me as a reader. I could experience the intrusive thoughts of the characters and see their need for help but sometimes their inability to ask for it. These short stories were well written and gave me a better idea of what it is like to experience the mental health disorders highlighted in the book.
This book would be a good recommendation for readers who would like to understand what it is like to experience a mental health disorder or have loved ones who are dealing with one. It would also be a good fit for readers who struggle with their mental health and need to see that they are not alone.
This book was actually difficult for me to read in one sitting. The pain that these characters were experiencing felt very real to me as a reader. I could experience the intrusive thoughts of the characters and see their need for help but sometimes their inability to ask for it. These short stories were well written and gave me a better idea of what it is like to experience the mental health disorders highlighted in the book.
This book would be a good recommendation for readers who would like to understand what it is like to experience a mental health disorder or have loved ones who are dealing with one. It would also be a good fit for readers who struggle with their mental health and need to see that they are not alone.
December 15, 2025
An interesting and diverse collection of short stories all featuring teen characters who deal with a variety of mental health issues and written by authors who have experienced those same issues. There's something in here for everyone, whether you can relate yourself or know someone else who can.
Some favorites:
PECULIAR FALLS by Jonathan Lenore Kastin (A vampire deals with social anxiety)
BEGGARS WOULD RIDE by Val Howlett (A teen dealing with PTSD and gender dysphoria gets the chance to make a wish at a magic wishing well)
BACK OF THE TRUCK by Isabel Quintero (A teen deals with obsessive thoughts and severe anxiety in social settings)
A BRIDGE OVER SILENCE by Karen Jialu Bao (A teen and her former friend imagine what the past four years could have been if they hadn't been sexually assaulted their freshman year and stopped talking to each other)
THE CALL: A ONE ACT PLAY by Francisco X. Stork (A suicidal teen reaches out to a former classmate)
Some favorites:
PECULIAR FALLS by Jonathan Lenore Kastin (A vampire deals with social anxiety)
BEGGARS WOULD RIDE by Val Howlett (A teen dealing with PTSD and gender dysphoria gets the chance to make a wish at a magic wishing well)
BACK OF THE TRUCK by Isabel Quintero (A teen deals with obsessive thoughts and severe anxiety in social settings)
A BRIDGE OVER SILENCE by Karen Jialu Bao (A teen and her former friend imagine what the past four years could have been if they hadn't been sexually assaulted their freshman year and stopped talking to each other)
THE CALL: A ONE ACT PLAY by Francisco X. Stork (A suicidal teen reaches out to a former classmate)
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December 23, 2023Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Absolutely Smash Mental Health Stereotypes accomplishes what its title asserts. It’s an anthology of 16 short YA stories and poems of different genres by diverse authors who have lived their narratives, as revealed in the personal briefs at the conclusion of the stories. (The authors include Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork)
“Beauty is too ambiguous.” These tales cover such disorders as dysphoria, anxiety, PTSD, PMDD, social anxiety, and more. I’m glad this book of short stories of mental health issues exists. Some hit right in the feels.
“Beauty is too ambiguous.” These tales cover such disorders as dysphoria, anxiety, PTSD, PMDD, social anxiety, and more. I’m glad this book of short stories of mental health issues exists. Some hit right in the feels.
June 15, 2023
2.75
I think I need to swear off of anthologies in the future. I don't enjoy short stories - there's not enough time to get to know the world or the characters. In this particular anthology, I felt like everything was plotless. It's some important messaging packaged in a short story or poem or other miscellaneous format. And each story has a premise with so much potential, if it had only been given more page time. There are a few standouts - I loved the graphic novella in here, and I actually really liked the script-style story that finishes the collection, but everything else gets lost in the shuffle.
Basically, I would never have picked this up if not for my graduate school class. It didn't really do anything for me, but I can understand why it was published and where some teen readers might find value in the representation.
I think I need to swear off of anthologies in the future. I don't enjoy short stories - there's not enough time to get to know the world or the characters. In this particular anthology, I felt like everything was plotless. It's some important messaging packaged in a short story or poem or other miscellaneous format. And each story has a premise with so much potential, if it had only been given more page time. There are a few standouts - I loved the graphic novella in here, and I actually really liked the script-style story that finishes the collection, but everything else gets lost in the shuffle.
Basically, I would never have picked this up if not for my graduate school class. It didn't really do anything for me, but I can understand why it was published and where some teen readers might find value in the representation.
May 24, 2024
This anthology was an absolutely beautiful portrayal of everything that the human brain is capable of. The pain, the worry, the intrusive thoughts…all wrapped up into short fictional stories that explain the human mental health process so well. Nonfiction mental health books typically explore the “what to do” but are extremely difficult to relate to, this on the other hand allows the reader to feel connected, heard and seen without having someone telling you how to fix it or what you’re doing wrong. If you know anyone, or have experienced mental health issues for yourself this is an absolute must read.
February 6, 2023
As I read through the pages of this book, I felt so seen. This book is a beautiful gift to those of us living with neurodiverse brains and to those who love us. The stories span many experiences, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, and OCD. Each provides context to the experience of living with that particular label, and the authors' notes add an additional unique and important layer to the experience. This is a must-read for all teachers, high school students, parents, and anyone who has felt alone in their head or their space.
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