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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

by Evan Roskos

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
23214115,098 (3.7)3
Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:"Self-deprecating humor abounds in this debut novel that pulls no punches about the experience of depression and anxiety for its teen protagonist."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"I hate myself but I love Walt Whitman, the kook. Always positive. I need to be more positive, so I wake myself up every morning with a song of myself." Sixteen-year-old James Whitman has been yawping (ŕ la Whitman) at his abusive father ever since he kicked his beloved older sister, Jorie, out of the house. James's painful struggle with anxiety and depression—along with his ongoing quest to understand what led to his self-destructive sister's exile—make for a heart-rending read, but his wild, exuberant Whitmanization of the world and keen sense of humor keep this emotionally charged debut novel buoyant.
"A poignant, funny, and bighearted novel about the power of saving oneself."—Nina LaCour, award-winning author of We Are Okay
"The right readers may find it lifesaving. Give this darkly funny debut to fans of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower."—Booklist
"Roskos has created a character that does not necessarily change throughout the book, but learns to live with himself as he is, to celebrate himself and those around him even as flawed as they are."—VOYA
"Author Roskos's strength lies in his refusal to tidy up the mess in James's life and in his relentless honesty about surviving with depression and anxiety."—Horn Book
"Roskos effectively sketches James as a boy who is far more comfortable inside his own head than in connecting with others . . . Bravely facing real sorrow, James confronts his problems with grace and courage."—Publishers Weekly.
… (more)
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» See also 3 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It deals with real life issues like mental illness, abuse, self harm, and more. I read this book a few months ago but I just adored it. ( )
  yulissaeuceda_ | Jan 21, 2022 |
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It deals with real life issues like mental illness, abuse, self harm, and more. I read this book a few months ago but I just adored it. ( )
  yulissaeuceda_ | Jan 21, 2022 |
teen fiction (socially awkward teen dealing with anxiety, depression, and abusive parents, but with interesting subplots and characters and lots of humor). This goes a little bit into explaining self-cutting and depression/suicidal thoughts, with emphasis on getting help and asking for help, but without feeling didactic. You don't expect to like this character, a kooky teen who has memorized Walt Whitman (on purpose) and whose behavior is seemingly unexplicable, but before long he grows on you. ( )
  reader1009 | Jul 3, 2021 |
Blaming it on a slump
  Monica_P | Nov 22, 2018 |
This was actually hard to read, because it was so familiar to me, but it was also just wonderful. I liked this protagonist so much; he seemed like someone I'd be friends with now, if he were my age. I loved the way James uses Walt Whitman's poetry to get through life and figure things out, like Holling Hoodhood with Shakespeare and Doug Swieteck with the art of John James Audubon. And I'm so glad to read a young adult novel handling mental illness openly, because it's been a taboo subject for far too long. It's a quick, absolutely lovely read.
  mirikayla | Feb 8, 2016 |
Showing 1-5 of 14 (next | show all)
“Give this darkly funny debut to fans of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999).”
added by evanroskos | editBooklist (pay site) (Mar 1, 2013)
 
"Friendships old and new, along with James’s growing interest in his own poetry and photography, help him gain confidence and understanding, especially as he discovers unsettling secrets about his sister. Bravely facing real sorrow, James confronts his problems with grace and courage."
added by evanroskos | editPublisher's Weekly (Feb 4, 2013)
 
STARRED REVIEW "Self-deprecating humor abounds in this debut novel that pulls no punches about the experience of depression and anxiety for its teen protagonist."
added by evanroskos | editKirkus (Feb 1, 2013)
 
"Author Roskos's strength lies in his refusal to tidy up the mess in James's life and in his relentless honesty about surviving with depression and anxiety."
added by evanroskos | editHorn Book
 
Featured on BOOKS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO READ
 
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I yawp most mornings to irritate my father, the brute.
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Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML:"Self-deprecating humor abounds in this debut novel that pulls no punches about the experience of depression and anxiety for its teen protagonist."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"I hate myself but I love Walt Whitman, the kook. Always positive. I need to be more positive, so I wake myself up every morning with a song of myself." Sixteen-year-old James Whitman has been yawping (ŕ la Whitman) at his abusive father ever since he kicked his beloved older sister, Jorie, out of the house. James's painful struggle with anxiety and depression—along with his ongoing quest to understand what led to his self-destructive sister's exile—make for a heart-rending read, but his wild, exuberant Whitmanization of the world and keen sense of humor keep this emotionally charged debut novel buoyant.
"A poignant, funny, and bighearted novel about the power of saving oneself."—Nina LaCour, award-winning author of We Are Okay
"The right readers may find it lifesaving. Give this darkly funny debut to fans of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower."—Booklist
"Roskos has created a character that does not necessarily change throughout the book, but learns to live with himself as he is, to celebrate himself and those around him even as flawed as they are."—VOYA
"Author Roskos's strength lies in his refusal to tidy up the mess in James's life and in his relentless honesty about surviving with depression and anxiety."—Horn Book
"Roskos effectively sketches James as a boy who is far more comfortable inside his own head than in connecting with others . . . Bravely facing real sorrow, James confronts his problems with grace and courage."—Publishers Weekly.

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