Name: Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets
ISBN: 9780544035652

Evan Roskos

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 ( la Whitman) at his abusive father ever since he kicked his beloved older sister, Jorie, out of the house. Jamess painful struggle with anxiety and depressionalong with his ongoing quest to understand what led to his self-destructive sisters exilemake 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.

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

A sixteen-year-old boy wrestling with depression and anxiety tries to cope by writing poems, reciting Walt Whitman, hugging trees, and figuring out why his sister has been kicked out of the house.

Hannah Yang

Hmm, I don't know why I'm not completely in love with Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets, I think it just kind of threw me off? I don't really know what my expectations were when I read this book, but I definitely didn't expect this! (And I mean that in good and bad ways). As someone who cannot relate to any of James' feelings, this book... was enlightening, and uncomfortable to read.

Nicole Dykeman

I liked this. I liked this a lot. I think this book is so, SO important. Everyone should read it. 

People who do not have depression or anxiety will never really know what it's like to live with them, but this book can give them a good idea. James is a truthful character that you feel sympathy and respect for. The messages in this novel are so important. A great read, truly. I'm gonna go hug a tree now.

Wren Hardwick

Ehhhh. 

I liked the premise of this book well enough: a boy who deals with anxiety and depression who is going through high school and family issues. But was it an enjoyable read?

It was enjoyable enough that I pushed through it with little ease. The writing style is what got me. I didn't like the writing. It felt way too young for me. I know "well it's young adult" but I felt like it was "younger adult" which is fine, I guess. 

Really I skimmed over a few pages because I kind of got the idea of somethings. 

I did relate to how he took certain situations out of their borders tho. Anxiety does that. Or how one thing can really make you go into a dark place even though you tried your hardest not to. 

James is relatable. He has family issues, his sister got kicked out of the house and his parents are abusive (yes, both the banshee and the brute). He tries to figure out what exactly happened with Jodie (his sister) and why she was kicked out of their house and school. It's like a puzzle. 

He also has a girl he likes. So that's the other thing. 

I liked the idea of and the story of this book. I just think the writing could use some work.

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

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