Boy Meets Depression by Kevin Breel

This book is a memoir rather than a fact-laden autobiogaphy. Therefore, it is oreganizd like a novel and reads like one. Kevin Breel, the author, begins with a short introduction, giving a short overview of why he wrote his book and what he wants it to do in the mind and life of the reader. This memoir is arranged in ten chapters. The author ends with an Epilogue, giving a summary of the book and re-iterating what he hopes the book has and will do in the life and mind of the reader. He continues with his personal acknowledgments to the people in his life who made his healing possible and/or who made this book possible. He ends it all with One More Note to the Reader, recommending reaching out for help if depressed and recommending the nonprofit To Write Love On Her Arms.

This is not a book for the head, to deal in facts and focus on them. It is a book for the heart and appeals to emotions. Breel often uses salty language including the "f---" bomb, and writes like one putting his thoughts on paper. I found it interesting and I was drawn into it early. I was saddened when he lost his best friend, and when it caused him to spiral downward emotionally. I liked it that he had an educator who took an interest in him and in his healing, and believed in him even when he did not believe in himself and encouraged him to fulfill his potential. I realize that many teens and young people do not have this blessing, and that explains why so many wander aimlessly through life, and others even take up lives of crime. And, like so many teens, he kept his dark depression from his parents, and I can understand why he was not keen on going to see a counselor. Breel sills his raw emotions onto paper, and does not hold back. I found in this book a peek into the modern, 21st century teenage world, and hence in the worlds of my daughter and her peers. This books is pretty much what I expected, fast-paced, deep-thinking, emotionally-laden, and candid. As for the profanity, I ignored it, knowing that this is not a book written from a Christian worldview. It was a fast-paced read, mostly descriptive rather than prescriptive.

I recommend this book for all those who are thinking of working with teens and young people, whether as teachers, counselors, youth ministers, juvenile corrections officers, child psychologists or in a volunteer capacity of any kind. Because it gives a peek into the teen world, it should be required reading in the training of anyone who seeks to qualify himself or herself in working with teens or young people. It is good reading for teens themselves but because of the profanity I think they should be warned about that before they read it, and that we need not curse to get our point across. It should be read by all parents of teens so they can see what the world of today's teens is like and to alert them to be aware that teen depression is common and how to intervene.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

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