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.