How to Use Literature to Help Troubled Teenagers

Struggling with abuse, addiction and family problems is an emotional process for teenagers and often results in troubling outward behaviors. Using literature to help teenagers understand the things they are going through offers the ability to view someone who is going through a similar situation to theirs. Some literature is fictional and some nonfiction, but both types can benefit a troubled teen who is struggling to understand and come to terms with problems in his life.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the source of conflict or crisis for the teenager. It is not necessary to know all the issues he is struggling with, but the more you understand about the conflict, the better you can choose a book to fit his needs.

• 2

  Choose a novel or other literary piece that concentrates on the concept the teen needs help understanding. A teen who has suffered sexual abuse could read "Push" by Sapphire, which addresses sexual abuse and family dynamics. A teen with an absent or deceased parent could read "Missing Mom" by Joyce Carol Oates, which handles issues of life changes when dealing with the loss of a parent. "From Ghetto to Greatness" by Kevin Brown addresses the struggles of growing up in a low economic area and still thriving as an adult. If the teen does not have a specific crisis or conflict, it is still possible to choose a book to help him.

• 3

  Assign small portions of reading. Dividing a book into segments makes it seem more manageable and less overwhelming to a teen who may not be comfortable with reading books. Creating stopping points also gives the teen the chance to ask questions as he progress through the book.

• 4

  Follow up each reading segment with an assignment. Include questions that allow the teen to describe what is happening or what the character might be feeling to promote in-depth thoughts about the piece. Include questions that will help show that the teen understands and is connecting to the book.

• 5

  Hold discussion groups to help teens understand the literature more thoroughly. Small groups of teens who are going through similar situations can help each other understand the material and each other. It is not necessary for everyone in the group to be suffering from the same problem, but they may have similar enough issues that the same book is useful to each of them. As the teens discuss their understanding of the book and the characters, some of their own life issues may surface for the group to discuss and help each other.