PICK OF THE MONTH
Starving the anxiety gremlin & Starving the stress gremlin
Kate Collins -Donnelly Jessica Kingsley Publishers | £12.99
With their bright designs and cartoons, Starving the Anxiety Gremlin and its partner volume Starving the Stress Gremlin immediately capture the attention of their chosen audience of young people aged ten and over. The books are written in short, easily digestible chapters which can be used either in sequence or stand-alone, enabling either the young person or their youth worker to choose those sections which are most relevant.
The layout inside the book is clear and interesting, with lots of images, boxes and exercises to help the young person engage with what can be quite difficult material to grasp. The word games at the end of each section are particularly useful for creating space to reflect on what has been said and how this can help moving forward.
Both books are extremely well researched and offer a great overview of cognitive behavioural therapy in dealing with anxiety and stress. They take the reader through CBT-style exercises with opportunities to reflect and chart changes. However, the long and detailed lists of symptoms may be a little overwhelming if the young person does not have someone to chat through the ideas with.
The poignant quotes from young people suffering with anxiety and stress can help readers feel less alone without being too ‘X-Factor sob story’ in style. These quotes are also helpful in the sections which are aimed at how young people can help their friends who might be struggling. Furthermore they demonstrate the diversity of anxiety and the ways in which it presents differently for different people. The ‘My anxiety’ section also enables both the young person and youth worker to understand the key issues regarding anxiety and what can be done to help to alleviate them.
The books will probably work best if used in a context where the young person can be guided and helped through the material with their youth worker or perhaps in a small group setting. The material could be a little overwhelming if a young person is left alone to digest it. It would seem to suit the younger teenager with the cartoon designs, writing style and concept of the ‘gremlin’ which older teenagers may find it harder to engage with.
It’s definitely worth a read if you’ve got a young person struggling with these issues. These books are a really useful tool to open up conversations about anxiety and stress in a non-threatening and interesting way.
Rachael Costa runs Th inkTwice (@thinktwiceinfo) and is completing her research masters at LST .
Stuff of Life
Dr Rob Waller Fusion UK | £6.00
The Stuff of Life is a book for those heading to university, or students who are already there. Structurally, I really like the book. It is clear and easy to read in chunks. The book addresses specific problems that university students face such as alcohol and drug abuse, relationships and homesickness.
Throughout the book, the Bible is referenced in relation to the effect of university life on our personal relationship with God and the Church. Practical advice is given on most of the topics, presented in a bullet-point form or a list of questions for reflection. One topic that I found most interesting was ‘Fresher’s’ week’, as it’s something I, along with many others, worry about. The book gives a lot of useful advice including the type of people you’ll meet at Fresher’s, making the new step a much less daunting prospect. However, the book doesn’t mention anything about what to take to university. It’s a handy size, so can fit into a bag easily and students can take it to a local coffee shop for a read. I would recommend giving this to a future university student just before they go as preparation for their new life ahead.
Katie Smith is a student at Nottingham Trent University.
Jesus is changing my life
Rocknations Youth Ministry at Life Church , UK LIFE CHURCH UK | £5.00
Jesus is changing my life is an intriguing book written by the young people of Life Church. The book shares personal stories and experiences of Jesus which have impacted their lives. The fact that each young person featured in this book is ‘ordinary’ and from a typical background makes the book even more interesting. This also means it feels more personal to the reader as they can often relate to the people it involves and the circumstances they have been in; not only are the stories inspiring but also provide support to those currently in the situations.
The book is structured so that after every story there is a small Bible study which can be done to explore God’s view on the subject looked at. This provides the reader with a chance to deepen their understanding of what has been discussed. Jesus is changing my life is presented in a way which makes it an easy book to pick up and put down as well as skip through stories. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for deeper understanding of God’s perspective on to the issues faced by this generation.
Sanna Hubbard is a young person at St Peters Church , West Harrow
