“Gr 7 Up—This well-organized, upbeat book discusses what stress is and how it affects the body and brain, talks about tools to reduce and control it, and gives suggestions for recognizing the myriad situations that can trigger stress at home and at school and seeking help when necessary. Best of all, each one of these scenarios includes information on how the situation might be addressed. Nice also are the tips that encourage readers to use breathing exercises to calm and center themselves. Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from teens on what works for them and what causes them anxiety. Related helplines are appended. This volume is one of a number of other similar-themed books, but it is probably safe to say that a school library, in particular, cannot have too many such titles. It may well be the one that strikes the right cord with a distressed teen.”

—School Library Journal, 6/1/2006
Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information
Used with permission

“This self-help guide is certainly needed by today's teens. It begins by going through physical and emotional reasons for stress and responses to stress of all kinds. Then adolescent physiology is covered, as is why sleep and food are so important at this stage. Techniques to respond to stress in a healthy way are explored, for dealing with simple to complicated situations. A great resource section contains links and books for teens to get help. Examples of stressful situations based on the authors' research with teens include interesting stories and quotes from teens themselves- the strength of the book. For example, one section addresses what to do when friendships end or change and how to respond from conversations to finding new friends. This book best handles daily stressful situations for teens, and spends less time on serious issues such as family situations and abuse, which are touched on, from possible warning signs of abusive boyfriends to eating disorders, but are covered in depth in other resources, including the associations listed in the back.

—VOYA, 6/1/2006, Amy Alessio

“The authors are well versed in all things teen. Annie Fox has written a book about teen dating and has a website, www.theinsite.org devoted to positive guidance to teens who want to make the world better, as well as a site to help teens and parents create healthier relationships, www.anniefox.com. Too Stressed to Think? recognizes that stress for teens is valid and comes from many sources. It describes in a straightforward manner how stress impacts the brain as well as the body, then goes on to discuss ways to reduce that stress. One of its greatest strengths is that it offers ways to work through and resolve issues that all tens have in their lives, with school, family, friends, or significant others. Useful tools that help teens cope with all types of situations include breathing exercises, journal keeping, working through the conflicts, and finding ways to relax and decompress. The final chapter addresses big problems that go beyond the scope of the book and suggests ways for the reader to get more help, such as through support groups and professional help.

—KLIATT, 5/2006, Krista Bush, Libn., Univ. of New Haven, CT

“Too Stressed to Think? aims to help teenagers confront a common and powerful menace: Stress. The authors, both educators, have developed a curriculum to help teens understand how stress affects them physically and mentally and how to create more balance and control in their lives. In addition to gaining useful tools and techniques to combat stress, teens can read insights and suggestions by other teens and stories about real-life challenges.”

—Youth Today magazine

“...helps high-schoolers cope with pressures including family conflicts, school, friendship issues, dating, peer pressure, harassment, bullying, identity issues, anxiety, depression, alcohol, drugs, and sex. Authors Annie Fox and Ruth Kirschner provide real-life examples that cover what they need and what works for them. Readers also gain a basic understanding of stress and learn techniques to reduce it in their lives.”

—Curriculum Review