Kate Tym

The approach the author. Kate Tym, takes in writing this book is a writing style of understanding and an offering of hope. Teen emotions are often confusing and overwhelming for them. But Tym interviews social workers and other practitioners in the mental health field for expert advice to give adolescents. Each section details real life experiences and their outcomes, and in between, offers advice on how to get through each situation. The book aims to build self-esteem, self-worth and confidence. In their interviews, the experts show sympathy and don’t appear to be talking down to teens and their problems. It reinforces that nothing is wrong with what they’re going through. It sends a message that these are mostly normal growing pains, aside from actual medical conditions like depression. Adolescents seem deal with so many emotions on a daily basis and experience so much confrontation. This book offers advice on how to walk away from any bad relationship with a friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or enemy. It talks about taboo issues like self-harm, eating disorders and depression by telling kids they are not alone and explaining what's happening. "Depression is an illness caused by imbalances in your brain that make you feel unhappy, tense and worried all the time even if you have no cause to be" (page 13). The vibrant colors and magazine layout of the book grabs the attention of teens and makes them feel familiar and comfortable. Vocabulary and social work terms used are explained with a glossary in the back. There are suggested further readings, an index, a personality quiz and hotline numbers to call professionals for help.… (plus d'informations)

Kate Tym wrote this book in a formulaic style. It is similar to most other teen self-help books, but this does not take away from its wealth of information. There are sections on the opposite sex, friendships, academics, jealousy and envy, competition, feeling like an outcast and much more.
Teens deal with a lot of things that adults may think aren't substantial "problems" and this book validates those feelings. For example, in the text, teens face their feelings about friends moving away, fitting in with the popular crowd and hating the way they look. Some kids not only feel rejected at school but at home also. "I always come second," (page 26), and "my mom and dad are useless" (page 27) are just some of the feelings expressed by the kids interviewed by Tym for this book.

Many experts weigh in on the issues including social workers and counselors, as well as other teens. Each page shows a different case study from real life teen experiences, along with step by step suggestions on handling each situation. At the end of each case study is an outcome written by the teen explaining the result of their dilemma.

The layout and writing style is similar to magazines that target youth and adolescents-- using lots of images, photos and colors and varying font styles. There are many lists of “how-to’s,” “dos and don’ts and quotes inside of thought bubbles.

The staged photos of teenagers show trendy clothing and styles. The back of the text offers help with talking to parents and guardians, a glossary of some social work terms including angst, alternative therapies, self-conscious and similar terms. The author also included phone numbers to hotlines to reach professionals for help. There is a personality quiz at the end, as well as a list of suggested further readings.… (plus d'informations)