First and foremost, the thing I have learned the most about this topic is that it is spoken about very generally. I have found quite a few sources that mention it in passing, but do not take the time to delve deeply into its multifaceted approaches and uses. Most recently, I was able to find an article that focused on the cons of bibliotherapy (“The Lion, the Witch, and the Drug Addict: “Bibliotherapy,” One Danger in Self-Help Books for Children…by Susan Smith of Globe & Mail in Toronto, Canada). Although this article mostly discusses the use of bibliotherapy in young children, it is still a prevalent idea – that a person (in this case, an adolescent) will look to a book for help in lieu of an adult. For adolescents, I think this could be the case if an individual wanted to choose his/her own books as a sort of “self diagnosis.” This should be cautioned against because of the devastating effects that this could have, depending on a person’s mental state (note the effect that The Catcher in the Rye had on Mark David Chapman – not a fault of the book or its messages, but the way it was interpreted by him).
Right now I’m focusing a lot on Speak and doing research about it…so bear with me.
One of the most helpful sources I found was Laurie Halse Anderson’s blog, Mad Woman in the Forest. She is outspoken against the censorship of books and, on her blog, spoke directly about the direct link between books and healing. One of her posts, written on June 5, 2011, was titled “Stuck Between Rage and Compassion.” In this post, she argues against AYA fiction being censored, “Books don’t turn kids into murderers, or rapists, or alcoholics. (Not even the Bible, which features all of these acts.) Books open hearts and minds, and help teenagers make sense of a dark and confusing world. YA literature saves lives. Every. Single. Day” [Her emphasis]. She goes on to talk about the influx of letters/emails she has received from teenagers who read her books and thank her for helping them come out of a dark place. I found two articles discussing Anderson’s novel Speak specifically – one is a book review by Sally Smith in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, published in Mar. 2000, the other is “Politicizing Young Adult Literature: Reading Anderson’s Speak as a Critical Text” by Janet Alsup, published in the same journal in Oct. 2003.
So that’s where I’m at right now…I haven’t really found much research about specific incidents where bibliotherapy has been used and the results that it had. I plan to find some, but we’ll see!
I think the topic you are doing will help raise awareness in this type of therapy, especially since you said it’s not a topic that much research has been done with. I guess when I think of therapy; particularly teenagers or young adults dealing with various issues, parents/guardians or whomever send them to a psychologist or someone in a related field. I do recall points in my life where I would be dealing with a tough circumstance or issue and would seek out a book with a character dealing with the same thing. You made a curious point about the effect The Catcher in the Rye had on Mark David Chapman..um who is Mark David Chapman? I wish you could have elaborated a bit more on this, because now my interest is peaked and I will have to do research to find my answer. Darn you for making my life harder!
ReplyDeleteI like that you focused a lot of your effort and time on using Speak as one of your main books. I think it has a really powerful message, and is one of the best examples showcasing bibliotherapy and a little bit of art therapy as well. It’s interesting you included the quote about Speak being censored in AYA literature, since Speak was one of the books we read in AYA literature last spring.
I think there should be a lot more research done on this topic, but what you have shown us so far is really interesting. Hooray for books!
Ms. Crookston -
ReplyDeleteI find your topic fascinating because I have never heard of this approach until you brought it up. The counter-argument you noted (self-diagnosis) is an important one. There is something about the teenage (and in all honesty, the early twenties) years that makes people want to close off from adults and rely on themselves. Another counter-argument that I find compelling is the fact that these individuals may not read the book, even if it is diagnosed to them. How hard is it for a teacher to get students to read the couple chapters they assign, instead of just spark noting it? It would be interesting to see how proponents of bibliotheraphy combat that constant issue of follow through. Is there maybe book-club type meetings? Or some sort of impetus to spur the "patients" reading?
Also, you reference "Speak" - and I have to admit I have never read it nor know what it's about. I would suggest giving a short synopsis of the book if it is indeed the focal point of your presentation.
Overall, I am very interested to see what you come up with. I would love to hear about a success story or failure or this type of therapy - like a case study or something.
Keep on keepin on!
Case studies would be interesting to see...
DeleteI have actually never heard of bibliotherapy before, so I am very interested in your argument. Have you read a book that you feel changed you in a way, or at least changed your outlook on a particular subject, thing, or person? I think that the research you have found so far is awesome! I like how Laurie Halse Anderson argues that books should not be censored and that books are not the cause, or at least the sole cause, of people’s actions. I personally think that books can have a huge emphasis on an individual’s mental state as in they can aid them in a positive way by helping someone “see the light.”
ReplyDeleteInteresting how widespread your research is, Amanda...
ReplyDeleteYour topic is fascinating, especially with your use of Speak. I read the book the summer before my freshman year of high school, and it is definately an emotional story. One of the reasons i do playys is to get into something i have not experienced, or express emotions i havent felt or been able to express. Theatre is my bibliotherapy, so to speak. I can definately agree with the use of literature to help and relay those emotions and experiences
ReplyDelete