Where is God When it Hurts? Philip Yancey

The question that so many have asked is answered. How many times have you questioned why God lets bad things happen? Does God make these things happen or just watch? Philip Yancey explores all these things in this captivating book. Biblical examples as well as personal examples are explored and address physical, emotional, and spiritual pain that is experienced during lifetimes. Has life not made sense and you question what God is doing and trying to get you to do? Yancey helps find clarification and guidance. I found this book while working with two teens that turned from their faith when trauma found its way into their life. They both found healing and their way back to church through this book. I recommend it to those hurting or those that have hurt in the past!

Somebody Else's Kids

Torey Hayden has such a writing style that you feel you are with her in all her books! Somebody Else's Kids is no different. Hayden lures you into her schoolroom of working with four students that everyone else has given up on. You see experience her techniques of success and frustration with the ultimate goal of slight improvement. The students include a 7 year old who has limited speech; a 7 year old with learning struggles from brain damage she experienced from an abusive home life; a 10 year old boy who has witnessed a murder and been bounced around foster homes; and a 12 year old girl who is pregnant. Hayden never gives up and provides hope and encouragement for those who work with those no one else wants to help. This book is captivating and highly recommended for those in the field and those with a passion for children.

Who Will Cry For the Little Boy? Antwon Fisher

This collection of poems by Antwone Fisher is inspiring and emotional. The poems relate to his memoir, Finding Fish. I have used many of these with clients in therapy and had several requests for copies to keep or provide to others. The growth of this inspiring gentleman from the terror he came from can be seen in both the memoir and this poem book. Both are highly recommended for every person and counseling room to use as tools!

Finding Fish by Antwone Quenton Fisher

One of the most inspiring books you can read! This memoir goes through Antwone's life in many struggles and success in adulthood. The ugliness of foster care described in detail. You will laugh, cry, be encouraged to think, and at times feel angry. I recommend reading this memoir first and then watching the movie, which has a great cast including Denzel Washington. If you pick one book to read in the near future, this should be the one!

Sex God By Rob Bell

Rob Bell captivated me again with his book, Sex God. Bell mixes sexuality and spirituality in this book that relates the two and answers questions many of us have at times. It is not a manual or self help book, yet a relation of the bible to things related to sex such as lust, denial, respect, risk, and more. Bell explains how the two go hand in hand and cannot be separated. Once again Bell successful wraps you in by connecting life today with what the bible says.

This book is also recommended and valued for those who have questions about their spiritual beliefs in relation to their sexual feelings and understandings.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I didn't plan on adding fictional books to this list, however this one was recommended by several teen clients so I gave it a try! Jay Asher does a phenomenal job of relating to the pain a young girl, Hannah, was experiencing before taking her life. In the book, Clay Jensen receives an anonymous package that has audio tapes in them. As he listens, he hears the 13 reasons why Hannah took her life. This book is so captivating that it is hard to put down. You will laugh and cry, find hope and sorrow.

I recommend this for adults and teens that have lost a loved one to understand some of the pain that leads individuals to taking their lives. Even if you have not had a lost, the emotions of this fictional book feel so real that you could see how simple actions affect others deeply. This is highly recommended for middle and high schoolers!

There is help out there and if you find yourself needing to find resources for a loved one, please contact CARES Suicide Prevention at http://www.leecountycares.org/.

Beautiful Child

Beautiful Child by Torey Hayden tugs at your heart. The story shadows Ms. Hayden's work with a young girl whom others had attempted to give up on. As her teacher, she works with her to bring her out of her catatonic state. This includes going beyond the role of teacher and using the systems approach to relate to the child by incorporating all aspects of life, including home. This book has such a magical writing tone that it is hard to put down and you may find yourself smiling and crying at the events as they are written. This book is highly recommended to view the unique traits of life with a child with special needs.

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

The Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell gets you thinking! This book was read for a book club, but was one of those books that gets you thinking and causes you to not want to stop! The book explores the Christian faith and providing a way to repaint your view. Mr. Bell allows the reader to rethink things as they have been portrayed and validate the questioning of faith --yet interpreting the Bible into today's world instead of focusing on the days when Jesus was alive. This book is recommended to all that are looking for clarification on the Bible in today's time and looking deeper at their faith.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom is a book that is hard to put down once you get started. The writing is so descriptive that you can picture what is happening in the story. I found myself smiling, crying, and having the feelings of the characters as if I was there.

Even though this is a fictional book, I recommend it as a feel good book. Once you read, you will wonder who the five people are that you may meet in heaven one day and their significance to you. With death being a hard topic, Mitch Albom makes it more light hearted and easier to accept in this great read!

Today Matters by John Maxwell

Today Matters by John Maxwell is a well written motivational book that helps the reader refocus on thinking about the present. His 12 daily practices seem overwhelming at first, however the self directed questions at each section allow the reader to think and process in steps about what matters to them in regard to that topic. The 12 practices include: attitude, priorities, health, family, thinking, commitment, finances, faith, relationships, generosity, values, and growth. Self discipline and motivation allow this daily dozen to encourage you through your day and provide a productive outlook on life. The end of the book gives you a worksheet to rate your dozen to know where to work harder. Mr. Maxwell suggests picking two strengths, and a weakness to focus on and then reevaluate every 60 days. This helps to make the material benefit the reader and not overwhelm. This will allow you to make the 12 a habit and thus "tomorrow will take care of itself."

Therapy with Kids and Canines: Benefits for Children’s Developmental and Psychosocial Health

Rise VanFleet's latest Book, Therapy with Kids and Canines: Benefits for Children’s Developmental and Psychosocial Health, is easy read with great information on using canine therapists in counseling sessions. She beautifully writes about animal behavior and ways in which it can assist children with overcoming situations they are experiencing. There are great case examples provided in each section to illustrate what she has described. You find yourself visualising what the dog is doing. Every aspect of pet-assisted play is identified in a knowledgeable format that makes the reader enjoy the book. This book is highly recommended!

The 5 Love Languages

The Five Love Languages series is a great series that helps connecting and communicating within a family. The series has love language books for children, families, teens, couples, and a few more. The books teach you how to identify your own personal love language within relationships you have as well as recognize that others may have a different love language. The 5 love languages are: words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, receiving gifts, and quality time. By recognizing each others language of love, one is able to provide the most loving environment for those they care about and allow others to know what makes them feel the most loved. This book is highly recommended for all families!

Screamfree Parenting by Hal Runkel

What a great parenting resource! Utilizing positives to prevent yourself from the feeling of wanting to scream or screaming at your children---and maybe your spouse. Hal brings the reader back to focusing on themselves by growing within and calming down when upset with something that has occurred or is not occurring. Whether by screaming, cutting ourselves off, overcompensating for others, or taking things personally or defensively this book focus' on being proactive instead of reacting. Great advice for parents of all ages to follow and calm their parenting styles. Parents in our practice have noted this as being one of the best books we have recommended to them.

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

The Secret describes living life through the law of attraction and brings the reader through motivational aspects of their life. From health, to love, to money, and on The Secret provides the reader with insight and positive thinking. Try waking up each morning and telling yourself it will be a good day. We can turn our weakness' and struggles in to strengths and things we are proud of. The Secret helps reframe your thinking and motivate you in different aspects of your life. This book is recommended for everyone feeling the pressure of life today. It is an easy read and each page motivates you more into turning everything into a good experience.