5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books! This novella is so deserving of its full five stars. I read the blurb and I have to admit I was doubtful. It was so informative. I really recommend every school, youth group or place that looks after children or young adults, should have this book on their shelves, immediately. The subject matter is disturbing, don't get me wrong. However, it's done with such a deep understanding of the subject that I can only imagine any kid with a problem, possibly adults too, as this can affect anyone, of any age or any background. I read it and saw how easily it can be hidden. Though I have known people who have done this, so I know how true to life it is. It wasn't so long any kid given it, or adult would lose interest in a complicated story. I did gasp aloud at some points, and anyone with a beating heart in their body would do the same. I cannot say there was a favourite character in the book, as it wasn't a book that I could do that with. A minor note to the author. Wow, well done, and seriously you are an amazing book there. You have the potential to help so many kids. http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.com/2016/04/review-by-angi-help-me-help-me-1-by.html I was blown away when I started reading this novella. It's a story about Mick who is dealing with depression. He has been through a lot in his young life. His parents divorcing, and then the death of his best friends suicide. He was also being bullied and his life was unbearable.
No one knows what he is going through and the only release is cutting. No one knows what is going on except his friends who think but have their own problems that they have to deal with. This maybe a fictitious book with fictitious characters but the pain is real. For all those people that suffer from depression and bullying feel lost and have no way out. This has been hidden away in the darkness for way too long. It is time to bring it out and start talking about it. The taboo of depression needs to have the lid blown off and no one should hide anymore. This book makes you think about what if it was you, what would you do ? Would you be able to spot it in one of your loved ones? The characters in this book absolutely broke my heart. Mick just broke my heart. You just wanted to hold him in your arms and tell him life will get better. His group of friends are your typical teenagers with their own problems. They are all having their own problems and they band together like teenagers do by snap chat, face time, and so on. They have your resident bad girl, the sweet girl and the guy friend that love to hang . Layla is the sweet girl that helps Mick and actually likes him a lot. She is such a sweet girl with her own bouts also. Together they will help each other and try and figure everything out. I cried so hard reading this novella, I wanted to scream at them and say it will get better. We need to advocate for all children that have been bullied. We honestly need to blow the lid off it. Teachers need to step up, family members to step up and help protect our children. This book needs to be read. I personally want to thank Donna for writing this book and helping to get the word out there. Please get this book for you and your children. It is well worth the read. By Patricia Statham To read more reviews, please go to www.amazon.com/dp/B074WDCMV9 |
Reviewed by Suzanne M. Brazil
reviewer of Chicago Writer's Association.
Author Donna Zadunajsky’s novella, Help Me, is the harrowing story of bullying, depression, and their consequences as told by Mick, the victim, and his close friend, Layla. In her forward, the author discloses that the events in the book are based on real life with details changed to protect the identities of those involved.
Over the course of a few months during junior high, Mick and Layla grow close as part of a small group of friends that hangs out in person and via social media. Layla soon realizes Mick has been self-harming—cutting—and she soon fears things may be even more serious than that. One night, a particularly frightening incident spurs Layla to get adults involved, but did she wait too long?
Zadunajsky is a novelist and children’s book author who reveals in her dedication that she didn’t seek to provide answers to the tough questions raised by her story. She felt a need to reach out and encourage a conversation. She wisely provides a foreword to the book including links to resources and information on bullying, depression, and suicide.
Zadunajsky's strength is in conveying the emotions of the adolescents in her story. Mick and Layla are believable, relatable characters. It’s not that Mick has no friends; it’s just that for some reason he is a target for bullies. Layla isn’t a savior character, either. She is flawed and as one might expect for a young girl, unsure how dealing with Mick’s situation will affect her own life.
The reader feels Layla’s concern for her friend, her indecisiveness about getting her mother involved, and ultimately her fear that this is too much for her to handle. Likewise, Mick’s despair at being bullied and feelings of guilt about an incident in his past elicit empathy. Though not especially graphic, bullying, cutting, and suicide are difficult topics to read about, and adults should definitely preview the book to decide if they’re comfortable with their children/students reading it.
The alternating points of view provide heightened tension and suspense as we turn pages to find out what becomes of Mick. The narrative does suffer at times from repetition of extraneous details, and occasionally, character’s thoughts seem a bit older than their actual ages. Overall, YA readers, parents, and teachers may all gain insight from Mick’s situation and realize the importance of a friend like Layla.
For an age-appropriate audience, the author has provided an opportunity for discussion about a frightening epidemic among adolescents.
Direct Link:
http://windycityreviews.org/book-reviews/2016/2/8/book-review-help-me.html#entry35606623
reviewer of Chicago Writer's Association.
Author Donna Zadunajsky’s novella, Help Me, is the harrowing story of bullying, depression, and their consequences as told by Mick, the victim, and his close friend, Layla. In her forward, the author discloses that the events in the book are based on real life with details changed to protect the identities of those involved.
Over the course of a few months during junior high, Mick and Layla grow close as part of a small group of friends that hangs out in person and via social media. Layla soon realizes Mick has been self-harming—cutting—and she soon fears things may be even more serious than that. One night, a particularly frightening incident spurs Layla to get adults involved, but did she wait too long?
Zadunajsky is a novelist and children’s book author who reveals in her dedication that she didn’t seek to provide answers to the tough questions raised by her story. She felt a need to reach out and encourage a conversation. She wisely provides a foreword to the book including links to resources and information on bullying, depression, and suicide.
Zadunajsky's strength is in conveying the emotions of the adolescents in her story. Mick and Layla are believable, relatable characters. It’s not that Mick has no friends; it’s just that for some reason he is a target for bullies. Layla isn’t a savior character, either. She is flawed and as one might expect for a young girl, unsure how dealing with Mick’s situation will affect her own life.
The reader feels Layla’s concern for her friend, her indecisiveness about getting her mother involved, and ultimately her fear that this is too much for her to handle. Likewise, Mick’s despair at being bullied and feelings of guilt about an incident in his past elicit empathy. Though not especially graphic, bullying, cutting, and suicide are difficult topics to read about, and adults should definitely preview the book to decide if they’re comfortable with their children/students reading it.
The alternating points of view provide heightened tension and suspense as we turn pages to find out what becomes of Mick. The narrative does suffer at times from repetition of extraneous details, and occasionally, character’s thoughts seem a bit older than their actual ages. Overall, YA readers, parents, and teachers may all gain insight from Mick’s situation and realize the importance of a friend like Layla.
For an age-appropriate audience, the author has provided an opportunity for discussion about a frightening epidemic among adolescents.
Direct Link:
http://windycityreviews.org/book-reviews/2016/2/8/book-review-help-me.html#entry35606623
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TALK TO ME
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Talk To Me is the story of a young girl who is faced with a decision to end her life over a mistake to only have a heartbreaking ending. Carly Boyles was a popular girl who was dating Taylor Ryans who was the captain of the football team until Taylor changed everything about their relationship. With it being two weeks after the incident with Taylor, Carley discovers that her best friend, Staci has the same secret but kills herself in the process of dealing with the aftermath of what had happened.
As Carley deals with losing Staci, she tries to overdose on pills but is caught in time by her mother before doing much damage to her system. With Carley in the hospital recovering from the overdose, a chance to leave for a day to attend Staci's funeral will bring more revelations and a setback for Carley. As Carley continues to recover, something will happen to Carley that everything will be finally reveled on what Taylor did to her and to Staci. With everything out in the public, Carley thinks she can be free from that secret but to only have a heartbreaking ending to this story.
Wow is all I can say about this story with all the emotions that come with it, it truly is a great story that needs to be in high schools everywhere. I wasn't expecting how it all ended which will make you tear up for what happens to Carley in the end but the thing that got me the most was how true of a story this can be for anyone. I personally think this book needs to be in schools where it could help out a person who just might get the help they need before anything truly bad happens.
Thank You to Donna M. Zadunajsky for writing a fantastic book in this series! By: Holly Flora- Five Stars
As Carley deals with losing Staci, she tries to overdose on pills but is caught in time by her mother before doing much damage to her system. With Carley in the hospital recovering from the overdose, a chance to leave for a day to attend Staci's funeral will bring more revelations and a setback for Carley. As Carley continues to recover, something will happen to Carley that everything will be finally reveled on what Taylor did to her and to Staci. With everything out in the public, Carley thinks she can be free from that secret but to only have a heartbreaking ending to this story.
Wow is all I can say about this story with all the emotions that come with it, it truly is a great story that needs to be in high schools everywhere. I wasn't expecting how it all ended which will make you tear up for what happens to Carley in the end but the thing that got me the most was how true of a story this can be for anyone. I personally think this book needs to be in schools where it could help out a person who just might get the help they need before anything truly bad happens.
Thank You to Donna M. Zadunajsky for writing a fantastic book in this series! By: Holly Flora- Five Stars
Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite
As a teenager in high school, this should be the best time of your life. In high school there is so much to explore and experience, from parties and hanging out with your friends to discovering a new outlook on your future, but instead this can also be the scariest, most uncertain, and lowest time of a teenager’s life. Talk To Me: HELP ME! Book 2 by Donna M. Zadunajsky deals with the essence of the social issues that affect the life of a teenager. While this is a true account of the lives that our teenagers are living today, when reading this book parents must be aware that some of the material is for mature audiences. Carly Boyles feels that her world is falling apart. Her friend, Mick Connors, is a cutter. Taylor Ryans is her ex-boyfriend who not only caused a wedge between her and her best friend, Staci Garrison, but he's also a rapist. Carly discovered that not only did he rape her, but he raped her best friend, Staci, who later hanged herself. What should she do? Who will be his next victim? Who should she tell? Should she keep what she knows to herself? Would they believe her or blame her? So many questions and conflicting emotions are running through Carly’s mind and body; what would you do?
This book brings to light the epidemic affecting our children and youth every day. It has been estimated that within their personal circle a teenager is aware of at least one teen living a depressed existence or a life full of anxiety. Of those within the same circle that have either thought of or have attempted suicide, some succeed. According to healthychildren.org, at least 90% of the 15-24-year-olds that commit suicide experience some type of mental illness, behavior or alcohol, drug, sexual or physical abuse problems. Despite the traumatic accounts contained in this book, I'm glad that Donna M. Zadunajsky is continuing her efforts to bring these horrific details to the forefront. Readers will also find some questions and resources that they can use immediately to help one deal with the after-effects of rape.
To read more reviews go to: www.amazon.com/dp/B074XM57CC
As a teenager in high school, this should be the best time of your life. In high school there is so much to explore and experience, from parties and hanging out with your friends to discovering a new outlook on your future, but instead this can also be the scariest, most uncertain, and lowest time of a teenager’s life. Talk To Me: HELP ME! Book 2 by Donna M. Zadunajsky deals with the essence of the social issues that affect the life of a teenager. While this is a true account of the lives that our teenagers are living today, when reading this book parents must be aware that some of the material is for mature audiences. Carly Boyles feels that her world is falling apart. Her friend, Mick Connors, is a cutter. Taylor Ryans is her ex-boyfriend who not only caused a wedge between her and her best friend, Staci Garrison, but he's also a rapist. Carly discovered that not only did he rape her, but he raped her best friend, Staci, who later hanged herself. What should she do? Who will be his next victim? Who should she tell? Should she keep what she knows to herself? Would they believe her or blame her? So many questions and conflicting emotions are running through Carly’s mind and body; what would you do?
This book brings to light the epidemic affecting our children and youth every day. It has been estimated that within their personal circle a teenager is aware of at least one teen living a depressed existence or a life full of anxiety. Of those within the same circle that have either thought of or have attempted suicide, some succeed. According to healthychildren.org, at least 90% of the 15-24-year-olds that commit suicide experience some type of mental illness, behavior or alcohol, drug, sexual or physical abuse problems. Despite the traumatic accounts contained in this book, I'm glad that Donna M. Zadunajsky is continuing her efforts to bring these horrific details to the forefront. Readers will also find some questions and resources that they can use immediately to help one deal with the after-effects of rape.
To read more reviews go to: www.amazon.com/dp/B074XM57CC
