The Hero's Mask: Helping Children with Traumatic Stress

Rezensionen / Stimmen

The Hero's Mask is a very engaging, age-appropriate, and inspiring novel for middle grade children, especially for those who have experienced traumatic losses, bullying, disengaged parents and harsh authority figures. The central characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, and the narrative moves forward in an adept, fast-paced manner that will engage most young readers. The Hero's Mask and the accompanying Guidebook represent a significant contribution to an understanding of children's trauma and actions that can be taken to reduce and resolve trauma.

Cheryl Lanktree, Ph.D., Adolescent Trauma Training Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

Brilliant psychoeducation on trauma, resilience and the power of relationships disguised as a middle grade novel. Reading this book together should stimulate supportive and healing discussions between middle schoolers and their adult mentors. Overall a wonderful therapeutic resource!

Laurel J. Kiser, Ph.D., M.B.A., Associate Professor, Division of Psychiatric Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

In his novel The Hero's Mask, Dr. Kagan beautifully demonstrates the profound power of connection in promoting healing and resilience. Through his characters and the theme of a hero's journey, he is able to bring the thematic of loss, human stress and the role of relationship to life in a context that is relatable to young people and the caregivers who support them. This novel along with the practical guidebook for parents and professionals is a unique tool written by someone who has clearly dedicated a career to understanding trauma, attachment, resilience and young people! Youth serving systems, families and children alike will benefit from this approach.

Kristine M. Kinniburgh, LCSW Director of Trauma Services, Justice Resource Institute Connecticut, National trauma trainer and consultant, The Trauma Center at JRI, ARC Co-Developer and Co-author of Treating traumatic stress in children and adolescents; How to foster resilience through attachment, self-regulation, and competency (Guilford Press).