Worry Magic by Dawn McNiff

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 192

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Released: 5th of February 2015

Courtney is a worrier - she's worried about EVERYTHING, from her mum and dad's constant fights, to her Gran being ill to the fact that her best friend Lois suddenly seems to be more interested in growing up and hanging out with mean girl Bex. 

But then one day, during a particularly bad argument kicked off by her dad's discovery of a pig in their lounge (don't ask...) Courtney begins to feel a bit funny... a bit woozy... a bit like a dream is coming on - and then when she wakes up everything is better! Mum and dad are being nice to each other, the pig is going back to the animal shelter (really, don't ask...) and even Kyle, her older brother, seems to be making an effort. 

Courtney becomes sure that each time she feels woozy and has her dreams, she's magicking her problems and worries away. Her mum, dad and brother aren't so sure though. Can Courtney convince everybody that her worry magic dreams are the perfect way to solve her problems? Or should she learn to worry a little less and to ask for help in some non-magical places more? 

What I Have to Say 

As a compulsive worrier myself, I wasn't sure how this book would be. In fact, I was worried it might glorify worrying, considering the title. But what I found was an rather accurate portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks. I feel like a lot of people who don't suffer from it don't realize how much it can put the body through. 

Courtney was a really interesting character as well. She was naive and just young enough to genuinely believe that she was doing magic, while still old enough to know that maybe it would be best not to tell many people. I also like how she develops through the book and learns about her worrying and fainting as well as the fact of her believing in the Worry Magic. 

All in all, I think this a really insightful look inside of the mind of a young teenager experiencing the things that young teenagers often experience (changing schools, growing apart from their friends, having to stop playing playground games ect.) as well as ones that come from the character (parents arguing, rat disappearing, mother bringing a pig home) and beginning to experience panic attacks and fainting. 

A good book to promote mental health.