National Wellness Month: Books for Young Adults

Updated July 16, 2026
L
Lewis and Clark Library Lewis and Clark Public Library
This is your list in printable form. Simply print this page using your browser's print command.

National Wellness Month: Books for Young Adults

Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
(Don't) call me crazy : 33 voices start the conversation about mental health
Jensen, Kelly
Paper Book
A Washington Post Best Children's Book of 2018 Who's Crazy? What does it mean to be crazy? Is using the word crazy offensive? What happens when a label like that gets attached to your everyday experiences? To understand mental health, we need to talk openly about it. Because there's no single...
All the stars align
Schreiber, Gretchen
Paper Book
All the Stars Align is the magical love story that is Taylor Swift's Enchanted meets Cyrano, from the author of Ellie Haycock is Totally Normal. All the women in Piper's family know their true love at first sight, complete with butterflies, heart eyes, and a gut...
I am made of death
Andrew, Kelly
Paper Book
A girl whose voice is deadlier than poison. A boy who loves all her monstrous parts. From bestselling author Kelly Andrew comes the most seductive dark romance of the decade. When Thomas Walsh is offered a highly paid position as an interpreter for an...
I Am the Cage
Grant, Allison Sweet
Paper Book
"I Am the Cage gives resounding voice to the voiceless." -The Associated Press "Powerful.″ -Booklist, starred review "Visceral, wrenching, and beautiful." -John Green, #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The...
Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice: A Teen Girl's Guide to Unlearning the Rules
Walker, Meredith
Paper Book
Teen girls learn rules all the time, even if many of them go unsaid. Be yourself! But don't be weird! Hustle hard-your future depends on it! You're only young once-enjoy it! But no one talks about the life skill they need to navigate all those rules: how to think for themselves.
Beneath the surface : a teen's guide to reaching out when you or your friend is in crisis
Hugstad, Kristi
Paper Book
YOU DON'T HAVE TO COPE ALONE Depression and mental illness don't discriminate. Even in the most picture-perfect life, confusion and turmoil are often lurking beneath the surface. For a teenager in a world where anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are commonplace, life can...
A bird in the air means we can still breathe
Browne, Mahogany L.
Paper Book
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD . A powerful, genre-bending mosaic of fiction and poetry that celebrates the humanity, grace, and resilience of teenage New Yorkers riding out the pandemic-from the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky "A gorgeous, tender testament...
Botanical beauty : 80 essential recipes for natural spa products
Andrus, Aubre
Paper Book
Soak, scrub, and soothe your way to relaxation with simple homemade spa recipes from award-winning author Aubre Andrus. Using some of nature's best ingredients, such as beeswax, sugar, coconut oil, shea butter, avocado, sea salt, essential oils, and more, craft everything from a Cooling Peppermint...
Braiding sweetgrass for young adults : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants
Gray Smith, Monique
Paper Book
I could hand you a braid of sweetgrass as thick and shining as the braid that hung down my grandmother's back. But it is not mine to give, nor yours to take. Wiingaashk belongs to herself. I offer, in her place, a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship with the world. As a...
Bunk 9's Guide to Growing Up : Secrets, Tips, and Expert Advice on the Good, the Bad, and the Awkward
Nuchi, Adah/ Hunt, Meg (ILT)
Paper Book
CONGRATS! YOU HAVE FOUND "THE BOOK"! Filled with facts, tips, advice, and illustrations, BUNK 9'S GUIDE TO GROWING UP is the girl-powered puberty book you'll actually want to read. Written in the voice of the counselors in training at the fictional Camp Silver Moon, it's like having your best friend...
Channel kindness : stories of kindness and community
Born This Way Foundation
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller For Lady Gaga, kindness is the driving force behind everything she says and does. The quiet power of kindness can change the way we view one another, our communities, and even ourselves. She embodies this mission, and through her...
Chicken soup for the preteen soul : 101 stories of changes, choices, and growing up for kids ages 9-13
Canfield, Jack
Paper Book
From remembering their own life experience or to watching their own children grow, most people recognize that the preteen years, ages nine to thirteen, can be one of the most awkward times in life-a period of tremendous physical and emotional change. At this age, youngsters are eager to leave the...
Chicken soup for the teenage soul II : 101 more stories of life, love and learning
Canfield, Jack
Paper Book
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II offers more inspiring stories to help you master the game we call life. Today's teens have ever more issues and social pressures to juggle than young adults just 20 years ago. This book, like its predecessor, can be your guide - a beacon in the darkness, a...
Dead Happy
Silver, Josh
Paper Book
The experiment continues in the dark and disturbingly thrilling conclusion to the HappyHead duology where Seb will find the secret to escaping is more heart-wrenching than he ever imagined.   Seb was sure surviving the experimental health center of HappyHead would be enough...
Devils like us
Thompson, Lin
Paper Book
"This is a tightly constructed adventure, told from three alternating points of view, and each protagonist is wonderfully realized and fully sympathetic. The second volume in this story comes out later this year and I've already pre-ordered it!" - Rick Riordan A Stonewall...
Disability visibility : 17 first-person stories for today : adapted for young adults
Wong, Alice (EDT)
Paper Book
Disabled young people will be proud to see themselves reflected in this hopeful, compelling, and insightful essay collection, adapted for young adults from the critically acclaimed adult book, Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century that "sheds light on...
Dust
Stine, Alison
Paper Book
"An immediate classic that holds its own alongside the greats of American Literature, Dust brings the haunting echoes of our past to a weather-beaten future. Every word of Dust is as familiar as a childhood friend. You understand--instantly--that you will carry it with you for...
Elena vanishing : a memoir
Dunkle, Elena
Ebook
Seventeen-year-old Elena is vanishing. Every day means renewed determination, so every day means fewer calories. This is the story of a girl whose armor against anxiety becomes artillery against herself as she battles on both sides of a lose-lose war in a struggle with anorexia. Told entirely from...
The Emotionally Intelligent Teen : Skills to Help You Deal With What You Feel, Build Stronger Relationships, and Boost Self-confidence
Mcnally, Melanie
Paper Book
Build a solid foundation for mental health and wellness with this fun and engaging guide--just for teens! Do you ever feel misunderstood? Do you get upset easily, or struggle to manage difficult thoughts and feelings like sadness, anger, frustration, or worry? Does it feel like...
Eve : how the female body shaped human evolution
Bohannon, Cat
Paper Book
The groundbreaking New York Times bestseller is now adapted for young adults!  This is the 200-million-year story of how the female body gave rise to the human species and forever shaped life on Earth and what that means for us in the future. Why do women live longer...
Every body shines : sixteen stories about living fabulously fat
Newbould, Cassandra
Paper Book
An intersectional, feminist YA anthology from some of today's most exciting voices across a span of genres, all celebrating body diversity and fat acceptance through short stories. A Junior Library Guild Selection Fat girls and boys and nonbinary teens are:...
Fitting Indian
Chand, Jyoti
Paper Book
This debut teen graphic novel from social media influencer Jyoti Chand and rising star illustrator Tara Anand follows one girl's journey navigating high school and her mental health within a traditional South Asian family. Perfect for fans of Netflix's Never Have I...
Getting things done for teens : take control of your life in a distracting world
Allen, David
Audiobook
An adaptation of the business classic Getting Things Done for teenage readers The most interconnected generation in history is navigating unimaginable amounts of social pressure, both in personal and online interactions. Very little time, focus, or education is being spent...
Girl : love, sex, romance, and being you
Rayne, Karen
Paper Book
A guide for teen girls covering healthy sexuality, loving relationships, gender fluidity, sexually transmitted infections (STI), consent, sexual assault, and more. Chicago Public Library's 2017 Best of the Best Books List for Teen Nonfiction! Welcoming and inclusive of all self...
The girl guide
Ibrahim, Marawa
Paper Book
For every tween girl wondering about her changing body and changing brain, this funny and highly illustrated guide is the answer. Packed with advice about everything from periods to bras to body hair--PLUS tips on how to deal with crushes, new emotions, and all the chaos in between! ...
The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar
Reyes, Sonora.
Paper Book
2026 Schneider Family Book Awards Honor 2026 Américas Award Commended Title "This is Sonora Reyes at their absolute best." -- Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys From bestselling author Sonora Reyes comes a poignant...
Helloflo : the guide, period
Bloom, Naama
Paper Book
When will I get boobs? Does wearing a tampon hurt? What's the deal with menstrual cups? Seriously, when will I get boobs? There's no doubt that going through puberty is one of the scariest, messiest, and most confusing times in a girl's life. It's no wonder there are so many questions....
Here I am, I am me : an illustrated guide to mental health
Bean, Cara
Paper Book
This colorful graphic novel adventure through the brain demystifies and destigmatizes emotional and mental health for children through accessible language and lessons. Join author-illustrator Cara Bean in Here I Am, I Am Me, as she takes readers on an...
High : everything you want to know about drugs, alcohol, and addiction
Sheff, David
Paper Book
Just Say Know! With drug education for children more important than ever, this nonfiction book draws on the experiences of the NY Times bestselling father/son team of David and Nic Sheff to provide all the information teens and tweens need to know about drugs, alcohol, and addiction.
Hope nation : YA authors share personal moments of inspiration
Brock, Rose
Paper Book
★"This amazing outpouring of strength and honesty offers inspirational personal accounts for every reader who wonders what to do when everything seems impossible." --Booklist, starred review A 2019 Texas Topaz Reading List Selection A Junior...
How to college : what to know before you go (and when you're there)
Brenner, Andrea
Paper Book
The first practical guide of its kind that helps students transition smoothly from high school to college The transition from high school--and home--to college can be stressful. Students and parents often arrive on campus unprepared for what college is really like. Academic...
It Won't Ever Be the Same: A Teen's Guide to Grief and Grieving
Leigh, Korie
Help young people name, express, and give shape to their grief with this book on grieving for teens. Whether teens are in the midst of their first grief experience or have experienced grief before, It Won't Ever Be the Same is designed to support them. Reflections, analogies,...
It's perfectly normal : changing bodies, growing up, sex, gender, and sexual health
Harris, Robie H.
Paper Book
Fully and fearlessly updated, this vital new edition of the acclaimed book on sex, sexuality, bodies, and puberty deserves a spot in every family's library. With more than 1.5 million copies in print, It's Perfectly Normal has been a trusted resource on sexuality for more...
Killing the Wittigo : indigenous culture-based approaches to waking up, taking action, and doing the work of healing : a book for young adults
Methot, Suzanne
Paper Book
An unflinching reimagining of Legacy: Trauma, Story, and Indigenous Healing for young adults Written specifically for young adults, reluctant readers, and literacy learners, Killing the Wittigo explains the traumatic effects of colonization on Indigenous people and...
Let's talk about it : the teen's guide to sex, relationships, and being a human
Moen, Erika
Paper Book
Is what I'm feeling normal? Is what my body is doing normal? Am I normal? How do I know what are the right choices to make? How do I know how to behave? How do I fix it when I make a mistake? Let's talk about it. Growing up is complicated. How do you...
The Life Skills Book for Teens : Everything You Need to Know to Be More Independent
Stiles, Maureen
Paper Book
Set yourself up for success as an adult--tips and advice for ages 16+ How do you create a budget? Clean a bathroom? Make a doctor's appointment? If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the responsibilities of growing up, you're not alone--and the Life Skills Book for Teens is here to...
Love and Video Games
Sergi, Zachary
Paper Book
Ready Player One meets Heartstopper in which a myth-loving video game player discovers there isn't a cheat code to life--or love--while competing in a tournament with his handsome crush and gamer friends. In the real world, Keegan Thomas is a gay, eighteen-year...
Lullabies for the insomniacs : a memoir in verse
Foutz, Ella Grace
A teen with bipolar disorder fights for survival in Ella Grace Foutz's memoir in verse. Foutz weaves an intimate and gripping chronicle of her experience with mental illness. Amidst the turbulence of manic and depressive episodes, often accompanied by insomnia, Foutz relentlessly pursues...
Never Seen the Stars
Korsh, Kate
Paper Book
The ethereal romance of Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam meets The Fault in Our Stars' exploration of coming of age with a disability in a tragic yet uplifting story of love and grief. Hattie Murphy thinks the universe hates her. She has a secret: she has the same...
On again, awkward again
Kelly, Erin Entrada
Paper Book
The laugh-out-loud YA romance by two award-winning and bestselling authors, Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, that's perfect for fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before or When Dimple Met Rishi When Pacy Mercado and Cecil Holloway spot each other...
On the bright side
Sortino, Anna
Paper Book
A hopeful novel about love, disability, and the inevitability of change by the author of Give Me a Sign. "Poignant, romantic, and deeply heartfelt." -Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be Ellie's Deaf boarding...
Period power : a manifesto for the menstrual movement
Okamoto, Nadya
Paper Book
PERIOD founder and Harvard College student Nadya Okamoto offers a manifesto on menstruation and why we can no longer silence those who bleed--and how to engage in youth activism. Throughout history, periods have been hidden from the public. They're taboo. They're embarrassing....
Project Semicolon : your story isn't over
Bleuel, Amy
Paper Book
For fans of PostSecret, Humans of New York, and If You Feel Too Much, this collection from suicide-awareness organization Project Semicolon features stories and photos from those struggling with mental illness. Project Semicolon began in 2013 to spread a message of hope...
Queerfully and wonderfully made : a guide for LGBTQ+ Christian teens
Finke, Leigh
Paper Book
ALA 2021 Rainbow List Pick Are you LGBTQ+? Not sure? Whether you're queer or questioning, understanding sexuality and gender identity can be confusing. And if you're a Christian, questions of identity can be even scarier. Is there something wrong with you? Will your friends accept you?...
Roads to family : all the ways we come to be
Ginocchio, Rachel HS
What makes a family? The ties that bind a family together can be complicated. People define family using genetics, legal commitments, physical and emotional connections, a combination of these, or something else entirely. A person's family can expand, contract, and adapt over time. One of...
The self-esteem habit for teens : 50 simple ways to build your confidence every day
Schab, Lisa M.
Paper Book
Make self-esteem a habit, every day. Written by Lisa Schab, author of Self-Esteem for Teens, The Self-Esteem Habit for Teens offers 50 simple, positive thoughts and immediate actions to help you "perceive it, believe it, achieve it!" When it comes to cultivating...
The self-love revolution : radical body positivity for girls of color
Tovar, Virgie
Ebook
"A terrific resource that shows readers how to start feeling good about their body and rewire their sense of self-worth." --School Library Journal starred review It's time to ditch harmful, outdated beauty standards and build real, lasting body positivity. It...
Sensory : life on the spectrum : an autistic comic anthology
Ollerton, Bex
Paper Book
A colorful and eclectic comics anthology exploring a wide range of experiences in autism presented by autistic artists, from diagnosis journeys to finding community. From artist and curator Bex Ollerton comes an anthology featuring comics from thirty autistic creators about their...
The smart girl's guide to going vegetarian : how to look great, feel fabulous, and be a better you
Warren, Rachel Meltzer
Ebook
Treating your body right is a radical act of self-love The Smart Girl's Guide to Going Vegetarian is an inclusive guide--written by a nutritionist--for young people looking to learn more about what they put in their bodies and how food can be used to practice self-care, mindfulness,...
Solving for the unknown : a novel
Le, Loan
Paper Book
"A sweet love story of self-discovery and mutual support" (Kirkus Reviews), this slice-of-life companion to A Pho Love Story follows two Vietnamese American students who find themselves at a crossroads--between family expectations, personal identity, and relationships.
The spectrum girl's survival guide : how to grow up awesome and autistic
Castellon, Siena
Paper Book
Moonbeam Children's Book Awards - Silver Medal Winner Nautilus Silver Book Award Winner Purple Dragonfly Book Awards - First Place "Never be ashamed of being different: it is this difference that makes you extraordinary and unique." This...
Take Up Space, Y'All: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love
Holliday, Tess.
Paper Book
Make your own rules and treat your body well in this uplifting, inspirational, and fact-filled guide to navigating social media, taking care of yourself, and loving your body by top plus-size model Tess Holliday and award-winning author Kelly Coon. Take Up Space, Y'all...
The talk : conversations about race, love & truth
Hudson, Wade
Audiobook
This powerful collection of short stories, essays, and poems is a call-to-action that invites all families to be anti-racist and advocates for change. Thirty diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators--including Renee Watson (Piecing Me Together), Grace Lin...
The Teenage Guide to Digital Wellbeing: Find the Balance to Live Your Best Life
Goodin, Tanya
Paper Book
The ultimate guide to digital wellbeing and living your best life - offline and on! Digital wellbeing is all about finding the balance between the digital world and the real world - and making sure we use smartphones and other digital devices in a healthy way, while living fulfilling...
This moth saw brightness
Vacharat, A. A.
Paper Book
A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A weird and revelatory novel that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies. "This funny, insightful debut about mental illness,...
The unexpected consequence of bleeding on a Tuesday
Toney, Kelsey B.
Paper Book
Delia Bridges is striving to become the compassionate doctor she's been unable to find in her journey to diagnose her excruciating period pain--but when a single rule-breaking incident jeopardizes her future, she must find a way to reclaim her dreams in this funny, period-positive novel.
Visitations
Egbert, Corey
Paper Book
Inspired by true events, this haunting yet hopeful young adult graphic novel weaves together family dynamics, mental illness, and religion--perfect for fans of Hey, Kiddo. Corey's mom has always made him feel safe. Especially after his parents' divorce, and the dreaded...
What if I'm an atheist? : a teen's guide to exploring a life without religion
Seidman, David
Paper Book
Have you ever wondered what religion and belief means for your life? Maybe you believe in nothing at all. Does that mean you're an atheist? What does atheism even mean? Regardless of the religious background you grew up with, it's natural to question what you believe...or what you don't....
Where to start : a survival guide to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges
Correll, Gemma
Paper Book
A comforting and useful resource for anyone who's struggling emotionally and looking for help―from the nation's leading community-based nonprofit that addresses the needs of those living with mental illness It can be extremely hard to figure out what's going on in our own...
Yoga for your mind and body : a teenage practice for a healthy, balanced life
Rissman, Rebecca.
Paper Book
Release your inner guru and unleash yoga's healing power. Relieve stress. Focus your mind. Build strength.  Clear step-by-step instructions and photos guide you through more than 80 specific yoga poses. Study the perfect yoga poses and unlock the key to a healthy, fit, and calmer you!
You Were Made for This World: Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People
Sinclair, Stephanie
Paper Book
FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! * A joyful, proud and groundbreaking collection of letters and art for young people, You Were Made for This World brings together celebrated Indigenous voices from across Turtle Island. Every young person deserves the chance to feel like they belong,...
Your brain needs a hug : life, love, mental health, and sandwiches
Earl, Rae
Paper Book
Imbued with a sense of humor, understanding, and hope, Your Brain Needs a Hug is a judgment-free guide for living well with your mind. My Mad Fat Diary author Rae Earl offers her personalized advice on the A to Zs of mental health, social media, family and...
Find this list online

https://librarian.syndetics.com/syndeticsunbound/lp/666.1029/list/8249

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.