Anxiety
Anxiety is a hard thing for young people to open up about. And it’s difficult for educators to initiate an honest conversation with a student about the anxiety they are experiencing.
But in order for change to happen, these kids need to feel comfortable speaking up about what is going on.
Not every child is a reader, but for those who are, the easy-to-read books below provide a safe way for you and a student to start a conversation about anxiety.
- Canadian settings and characters
- Realistic fiction
- Relatable challenges
- Diverse characters
- Stories featuring main characters who are experiencing anxiety in some form and learn about managing it
Titles featuring characters managing anxiety
Not Not Normal
By Peter E. Fenton
$16.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Relationship Skills
A queer teen battling anxiety and insecurity gains confidence through a new friend and romance, helping him face bullying and embrace his true self.
No Limit on Love
By Alison Lister
$14.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Relationship Skills
A nonbinary teen struggling with climate anxiety finds unexpected connection and love with a gender-fluid boy, as they both explore identity beyond labels and grow together.
The Hoop and the Harm
By Jawara Pedican
$16.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Self-Management
A student athlete has to navigate the pressures of family expectations, manage his mental health, and search for his true passion through the transformative power of basketball.
In a Heartbeat
By Markus Harwood-Jones
$14.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Self-Awareness
An LGBTQ+ teen leaves his supportive city life for a small town. At first, he struggles to fit in but eventually finds acceptance, romance, and self-love through a creative community.
Jamilah at the End of the World
By Mary-Lou Zeitoun
$14.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Social Awareness
A passionate Toronto teen overwhelmed by climate anxiety clashes with her family, but through protest and activism she finds solidarity—and begins to reconcile her convictions with her family’s expectations.
Easy Out
By Steven Sandor
$12.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Self-Awareness
A young ballplayer in a small prairie town struggles to compete in a high-level league while stepping out of his legendary father’s shadow and building stronger bonds with his teammates.
The Comeback
By Alex O’Brien
$12.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Self-Awareness
A fourteen-year-old boy battling depression finds new motivation through soccer—but hiding his struggles from teammates risks derailing both his recovery and his sense of belonging.
Golden Game
By David Starr
$12.95 Paperback
SEL SKILL: Self-Management
Abbas is supposed to play in a big soccer tournament but a traffic accident triggers crippling flashbacks to war-torn Syria. Abbas must learn to manage his anxiety so he can support his teammates.
