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Best Books for Teens Recovering from Sexual Abuse
By an Amazon.com customer
Why Me? Help for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse (Even if they are adults now), Fourth EditionWhy Me? Help for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse (Even if they are adults now), Fourth Edition by Lynn Daugherty
Buy new: $11.65 / Used from: $13.75
Especially good for teens, this introductory book shares answers to basic questions about the sexual abuse of both boys and girls, stories of male and female victims, and step-by-step guidance to begin healing. Others say. . . "an absolute gem". . . "a good simple, beginning book". . . "for people who want to learn more about child sexual abuse
How Long Does It Hurt: A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers, Their Friends, and Their FamiliesHow Long Does It Hurt: A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers, Their Friends, and Their Families by Cynthia L. Mather
Buy new: $12.21 / Used from: $9.72
Another worthwhile guide to recovery from sexual abuse, aimed specifically at teens.
It Happened to Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (workbook)It Happened to Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (workbook) by William Lee Carter
Buy new: $14.93 / Used from: $12.68
A guide to recovery in workbook format containing a variety of short, thoughtful, and useful exercises.
The Me Nobody Knows: A Guide for Teen SurvivorsThe Me Nobody Knows: A Guide for Teen Survivors by Barbara Bean
Buy new: $11.96 / Used from: $4.00
Also in workbook format, this book provides good basic introductory information as well.
When Something Feels Wrong: A Survival Guide About Abuse for Young PeopleWhen Something Feels Wrong: A Survival Guide About Abuse for Young People by Deanna S. Pledge
Buy used from: $0.01
Well organized, easy-to-read information about recognizing and healing from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse (therefore, more general).
Shining Through: Pulling It Together After Sexual AbuseShining Through: Pulling It Together After Sexual Abuse by Mindy B. Loiselle
Buy used from: $14.00
Basic information and healing exercises for sexually abused teenage girls.
In Their Own Words: A Sexual Abuse Workbook for Teenage GirlsIn Their Own Words: A Sexual Abuse Workbook for Teenage Girls by Lulie Munson
Buy used from: $89.29
This helpful workbook is designed to be used by teenage girls working with a therapist.
The Courage to Heal 4e: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse 20th Anniversary EditionThe Courage to Heal 4e: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse 20th Anniversary Edition by Ellen Bass
Buy new: $15.61 / Used from: $10.92
Written for women, the older and more sophisticated teenage girl may benifit from this comprehensive work as well.
Beginning to Heal (Revised Edition): A First Book for Men and Women Who Were Sexually Abused As ChildrenBeginning to Heal (Revised Edition): A First Book for Men and Women Who Were Sexually Abused As Children by Ellen Bass
Buy new: $8.60 / Used from: $2.49
Written for both men and women, the older and more sophisticated teen may also benifit from this introductory work.
Strong at the Heart: How It Feels to Heal from Sexual AbuseStrong at the Heart: How It Feels to Heal from Sexual Abuse by Carolyn Lehman
Buy new: $12.24 / Used from: $3.21
11 powerfully positive testimonials from young male and female survivors.
Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse--A Book for Teen Girls, Young Women, and Everyone Who Cares About ThemInvisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse--A Book for Teen Girls, Young Women, and Everyone Who Cares About Them by Patti Feuereisen
Buy used from: $8.99
Multi-racial and multi-ethnic stories of sexually abused girls that illustrate important sexual abuse concepts.
Kids Helping Kids Break the Silence of Sexual AbuseKids Helping Kids Break the Silence of Sexual Abuse by Linda Lee Foltz
Buy new: $17.12 / Used from: $6.83
Written for younger victims, these powerful first-person stories of abuse and healing will also resonate with abused teens.
Beyond the Blues: A Workbook to Help Teens Overcome DepressionBeyond the Blues: A Workbook to Help Teens Overcome Depression by Lisa M. Schab
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $7.89
Clear introductory explanations of the symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches for depression, with specific thoughtful and practical exercises to improve depression management skills.
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed TeensWhen Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain R.N. C.
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $5.25
Readable and fairly thorough explanations of depression (types, symptoms, causes, etc.), ways to get help, personal stories of teens who struggle with depression, and self-help suggestions.
Fighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide for TeensFighting Invisible Tigers: A Stress Management Guide for Teens by Earl Hipp
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $8.44
Well organized, entertaining, and highly useful guide to improving stress management.
Hot Stones and Funny Bones: Teens Helping Teens Cope with Stress and AngerHot Stones and Funny Bones: Teens Helping Teens Cope with Stress and Anger by Brian Seaward
Buy new: $9.32 / Used from: $4.53
Teens share their experiences of stress and anger; exercises and advice (often using humor) point to more effective ways of managing these.
Indigo Teen Dreams: Guided Relaxation Techniques Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-esteem and Self-awareness (Indigo Dreams)Indigo Teen Dreams: Guided Relaxation Techniques Designed to Decrease Stress, Anger and Anxiety while Increasing Self-esteem and Self-awareness (Indigo Dreams) by Lori Lite
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $16.24
A CD (male voice) offering guided affirmations, visualization, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation exercises.
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal With Anxiety & WorryThe Anxiety Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal With Anxiety & Worry by Lisa M. Schab
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $14.66
Simple, understandable explanations of concepts related to anxiety, and a variety of simple but useful exercises to manage various aspects of anxiety.
Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut & Self-InjureStopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut & Self-Injure by Lawrence E. Shapiro
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $7.92
Easy-to-read basic information about the causes and treatment of self-injury, with clear, effective exercises. A valuable self-help book.
What's Eating You?: A Workbook for Teens With Anorexia, Bulimia, & Other Eating DisordersWhat's Eating You?: A Workbook for Teens With Anorexia, Bulimia, & Other Eating Disorders by Tammy Nelson
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $7.92
Like the others in this excellent series from New Harginger Publications, this wookbook provides good basic information and useful, interesting exercises to guide teens toward more positive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Unmasking Sexual Con Games: Teen GuideUnmasking Sexual Con Games: Teen Guide by Kathleen M. McGee
Buy new: $5.95 / Used from: $0.87
Written to help teens recognize potential abusers and learn skills to protect themselves from sexually abusive relationships.
In Love and In Danger: A Teen's Guide to Breaking Free of Abusive RelationshipsIn Love and In Danger: A Teen's Guide to Breaking Free of Abusive Relationships by Barrie Levy
Buy new: $9.32 / Used from: $3.22
Explanations and exercises to help teens recognize, avoid, or escape from physically abusive dating relationships.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Chicken Soup for the Soul)Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $0.01
Uplifting and enjoyable stories, poems, and cartoons about teens overcoming common life problems.
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff: Stories of Tough Times and Lessons Learned (Chicken Soup for the Soul)Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff: Stories of Tough Times and Lessons Learned (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $0.01
More inspirational stories (mostly from girls), this time addressing more difficult issues: depression, violence, death, with a few about physical or sexual abuse.
The Last LectureThe Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Buy new: $14.27 / Used from: $3.29
Inspirational advice for meeting whatever comes in life and following your dreams, from a dying college professor; better for older teens.
The Self-Esteem WorkbookThe Self-Esteem Workbook by Glenn R. Schiraldi
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $11.14
Written for adults but also useful for psychologically-minded older teens, the thought-provoking exercises encourage readers to examine and change mistaken negative ideas about their personal worth.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Personal WorkbookThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Personal Workbook by Sean Covey
Buy new: $10.76 / Used from: $3.13
Interesting exercises focused on positive ways to overcome obstacles and create a satisfying life.
The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make: A Guide for TeensThe 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens by Sean Covey
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $3.44
How to make smart decisions in your journey through life.
What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for TeensWhat Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for Teens by Beverly K. Bachel
Buy new: $10.39 / Used from: $4.91
How to turn dreams into realities.
Who Moved My Cheese? for TeensWho Moved My Cheese? for Teens by Spencer Johnson
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $0.96
How to survive, and thrive, in a constantly changing world.
What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your FutureWhat Color Is Your Parachute for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your Future by Richard N. Bolles
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $3.20
Figuring out your vocational pathways through thought-provoking and fun exercises, checklists, etc.
I Know Why the Caged Bird SingsI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $2.95
A beautifully written classic memoir of an African-American girl overcoming challanges including sexual abuse.
The Color Purple (Musical Tie-in)The Color Purple (Musical Tie-in) by Alice Walker
Buy new: $8.95 / Used from: $0.62
The feel-good story (now a Broadway musical) about sisters, one a victim of sexual abuse who reaches for empowerment, the other a struggling African missionary.
The Color PurpleThe Color Purple
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.30
(PG-13) The DVD captures much of the spirit of the book, if not all the plot details.
The Kite RunnerThe Kite Runner
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $1.94
(PG-13) Sexual abuse of boys, past and present, figures strongly in this eye-opening account of political turmoil, personal struggles, and emotional triumphs. From an award-winning novel.
God Don't Like UglyGod Don't Like Ugly by Mary Monroe
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.00
A hopeful teen novel of a girl meeting hardships, including sexual abuse, in an African-American community of the 1950s.
Treacherous Love: The Diary of an Anonymous TeenagerTreacherous Love: The Diary of an Anonymous Teenager by Beatrice Sparks
Buy new: $5.99 / Used from: $0.01
In this teen novel a lonely girl becomes involved in a sexually abusive relationship with a male teacher.
The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $0.01
A wonderfully-written, but very sad, story of the horrors of self-loathing and sexual abuse faced by a young African-American girl. For older teens; contains strong language.
The Prince of TidesThe Prince of Tides
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $3.95
(R) A movie of family relationships and secrets, including the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of the male protagonist, and their consequences; for older teens. Based on a beautifully-written novel.
Running With ScissorsRunning With Scissors
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $1.39
(R) A very darkly comedic movie about the author's bizarre childhood that included sexual abuse; for older teens. The written memoir is also available.