About the Project
The books recommended on this website are the results of an Action Research Project titled
"Compiling Bibliotherapeutic Materials for Young Survivors of Sexual Assault."
Statement from Creator:
When I was fifteen years old, I read a book called Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. This first-person narrative is given by Melinda, a young rape victim silenced by trauma. People often say that books change lives, and I believe that this particular novel gave me my first encounter with literature’s healing and restorative powers. As I read the novel, or sketched its scenes in my notebooks, Melinda became a fictional friend for me—company when I felt lonely or in need of someone to understand my emotions. As I made this character more real and understood how her story is so similar to the lived experiences of many individuals, I developed an even deeper compassion for survivors of sexual or gender-based violence. Thus, I approached this Action Research Project motivated ethically to conduct research that combines sexual assault advocacy and librarianship.
For this project, I have researched the recommended literature for young sexual abuse survivors. I have composed lists of books suggested by sexual assault recovery organizations, non-profits, libraries, research literature, and victims themselves. These varying vantage points and perspectives have guided me in discerning what literature should really be in a library for a survivor. Thus, assessing these books as to their efficacy in bibliotherapy has been an essential part of the project.
Overall, the project is predicated on the firm belief that books on this subject could potentially help young victims see their own stories-- their own potential journeys to healing -- in print.
Organizations Consulted:
RAINN
North Carolina Coaltion Against Sexual Assault
After Silence Administration
GirlThrive/ Dr. Patti Feuereisen
National Sexual Assault Resource Center
Soapbox Inc.
D2L: Darkness to Light Organization
Peaceful Hearts Foundation
Male Survivor
Not Alone.gov
Joyful Heart Foundation
Stop it Now!
H-E-A-R-T: Hope Exists After Rape Trauma
Joshua Childrens Foundation
Pandora's Project
1 in 6. org
Dancing in the Darkness
Just Beginnings Organization
Secret Survivors: Theatrical Pingchong Company
Research Literature:
Ginns-Gruenberg, Deanne, and Arye Zacks. "Effectively Incorporating Bibliotherapy Into Treatment for Child Sexual Abuse." Chapter 17. Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse : Identification, Assessment, and Treatment. By Michael Lewis and Paris Goodyear-Brown. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 377-98. Proquest Ebrary. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.
Gregg, Gail P., and Maureen Kenny, “Adolescent Rape.” Chapter 4. Using Literature To Help Troubled Teenagers Cope With Societal Issues. By Pamela S. Carroll. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1999. 111-126. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 5 Nov. 2015.
“How Fiction Helps Kids to Cope.” Toronto Star. 28 Dec. 1989. ProQuest. 2 Nov. 2015
McDaniel, Cynthia. "Children's Literature As Prevention Of Child Sexual Abuse." Children's Literature In Education 32.3 (2001): 203-224. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Melnyk, Olenka. “Pushing the Limits in Juvenille Fiction: No Escape from Reality: Young Adult.” Edmonton Journal. 5 Oct. 2003: D10. ProQuest. 4 Nov. 2015.
Moulton, Erin E. "Bibliotherapy for Teens: Helpful Tips and Recommended Fiction." School Library Journal. School Library Journal, 6 Nov. 2014. Web. 02 Nov. 2015. <http://www.slj.com/2014/11/teens-ya/bibliotherapy-for-teens-helpful-tips-and-recommended-fiction/#_>.
Naitlove, Connie E. “Research and Special Projects: Protecting our Children: The Right Against Molestation.” Arts in Psychotherapy 12, 2 (1985): 115-116. Science Direct. Web. 4 Nov. 2015. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0197455685900309
Neville, Patricia. "Prose Not Prozac? The Role Of Book Prescription Schemes And Healthy Reading Schemes In The Treatment Of Mental Illness In Ireland." Health Sociology Review 22.1 (2013): 19-36. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Pardeck, John T. “Children’s Literature and Child Abuse.” Child Welfare 69.1 (1990): 83-88. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Pardeck, John T. “Using Literature to Help Adolescents Cope with Problems.” Adolescence 29.114 (1994): 421. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Pardeck, John T. and Jean A Pardeck. “Treating Abused Children through Bibliotherapy.” Early Child Development and Care. 16 (1984) 195-204. Academic Search Complete, 24 Feb. 2007. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Recob, Amy. Bibliotherapy: When Kids Need Books, a Guide for Those in Need of Reassurance. Bloomington, IN: IUniverse, 2008. Print.
Richardson, Rachel, David A. Richards, and Michael Barkham. "Self-Help Books For People With Depression: The Role Of The Therapeutic Relationship." Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapy 38.1 (2010): 67-81. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Robertson, Roma, and Steven J. Wray, Margaret Maxwell, and Rebekah J. Pratt. "The Introduction Of A Healthy Reading Scheme For People With Mental Health Problems: Usage And Experiences Of Health Professionals And Library Staff." Mental Health In Family Medicine 5.4 (2008): 219-228. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
Steele, William, Caelan Kuban, and Melvyn C. Raider. "Connections, Continuity, Dignity, Opportunities Model: Follow-Up Of Children Who Completed The I Feel Better Now! Trauma Intervention Program." School Social Work Journal 33.2 (2009): 98-111. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 8 Nov. 2015.
Yeater, Elizabeth A., Amy E. Naugle, William O’Donohue, and April R. Bradley. “Sexual Assault Prevention With College-Aged Women: A Bibliotherapy Approach.” Violence and Victims 19.5 (2004): 593-620. Ingentaconnect. Web. 2 Nov. 2015. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/vivi.19.5.593.63685>.
To view a report of the Action Research Project, click on the icon above.