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These Three Words
Life would be perfect for Luna-Ray if only she didn't have to go to school. And if her family were different and her friends actually liked her. Better yet, maybe if she was a different person altogether, preferably a person who doesn't have anxiety about absolutely everything. Just as Luna begins to think all hope is lost, she meets Sadie Rainbow, a counsellor who supports Luna through a journey of self-discovery, where she learns coping strategies that really work and finds the power that can be hidden within three words.
These Three Words is a unique therapeutic novel for teenagers with the aim of linking together the feelings, emotions and behaviours connected to anxiety, with some of the therapeutic tools that can be used in order to enable better self-regulation, increased confidence and different ways of thinking. The book is equally valuable to parents of teenagers with anxiety, giving them an insight and understanding into some of the issues that may be affecting their child, and potentially opening up a line of communication and a way forward between parent and teen.
These Three Words is a unique therapeutic novel for teenagers with the aim of linking together the feelings, emotions and behaviours connected to anxiety, with some of the therapeutic tools that can be used in order to enable better self-regulation, increased confidence and different ways of thinking. The book is equally valuable to parents of teenagers with anxiety, giving them an insight and understanding into some of the issues that may be affecting their child, and potentially opening up a line of communication and a way forward between parent and teen.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2018
4 people are currently reading
6764 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 14, 2020
‘Anxiety wasn’t anyone’s fault; it was just something that was there’
British author Jess van der Hoech is the founder of The Gap (Bedfordshire) Limited - a specialist therapeutic service supporting children and young people who have experienced early and unresolved trauma. After her training in Law she began volunteering for Citizens Advice Bureau and the National Probation Service and became a counselor specializing in working with victims of trauma. She now places that experience in writing a novel that, while presenting a well-scribed story, also serves as a journal that provides insights into life with anxiety.
The book is both a novel and a guidebook for assisting teens in dealing with anxiety. First, the story – a well-detailed introduction to Luna-Ray Jones, who describes herself as ‘a fifteen year old street dancer who is the lead for the dance troupe Starlight.’ But in truth, in reality, Luna-Ray lives in a world of fear, in her home, due to her anxiety. A brief overview of the plot – ‘Life would be perfect for Luna-Ray if only she didn't have to go to school. And if her family were different and her friends actually liked her. Better yet, maybe if she was a different person altogether, preferably a person who doesn't have anxiety about absolutely everything. Just as Luna begins to think all hope is lost, she meets Sadie Rainbow, a counselor who supports Luna through a journey of self-discovery, where she learns coping strategies that really work and finds the power that can be hidden within three words.’
In Jess’ remarks she states ‘THESE THREE WORDS – THE JOURNAL is an interactive workbook aimed at young people struggling with anxiety. Tools and techniques from the therapy room are included in the book with plenty of space to practice and reflect with drawings, doodles and writing before engaging in a 28 day journal practice. This journal targets the lower regions of the brain to strengthen them which in turn decreases the symptoms of anxiety.’
The book works on every level – as a fine story, as a sensitive guide, and as a tool for both teenagers and young adults – and parents/wise friends – to discern between Fact and Opinion and thus reduce anxiety. Highly recommended.
British author Jess van der Hoech is the founder of The Gap (Bedfordshire) Limited - a specialist therapeutic service supporting children and young people who have experienced early and unresolved trauma. After her training in Law she began volunteering for Citizens Advice Bureau and the National Probation Service and became a counselor specializing in working with victims of trauma. She now places that experience in writing a novel that, while presenting a well-scribed story, also serves as a journal that provides insights into life with anxiety.
The book is both a novel and a guidebook for assisting teens in dealing with anxiety. First, the story – a well-detailed introduction to Luna-Ray Jones, who describes herself as ‘a fifteen year old street dancer who is the lead for the dance troupe Starlight.’ But in truth, in reality, Luna-Ray lives in a world of fear, in her home, due to her anxiety. A brief overview of the plot – ‘Life would be perfect for Luna-Ray if only she didn't have to go to school. And if her family were different and her friends actually liked her. Better yet, maybe if she was a different person altogether, preferably a person who doesn't have anxiety about absolutely everything. Just as Luna begins to think all hope is lost, she meets Sadie Rainbow, a counselor who supports Luna through a journey of self-discovery, where she learns coping strategies that really work and finds the power that can be hidden within three words.’
In Jess’ remarks she states ‘THESE THREE WORDS – THE JOURNAL is an interactive workbook aimed at young people struggling with anxiety. Tools and techniques from the therapy room are included in the book with plenty of space to practice and reflect with drawings, doodles and writing before engaging in a 28 day journal practice. This journal targets the lower regions of the brain to strengthen them which in turn decreases the symptoms of anxiety.’
The book works on every level – as a fine story, as a sensitive guide, and as a tool for both teenagers and young adults – and parents/wise friends – to discern between Fact and Opinion and thus reduce anxiety. Highly recommended.
July 10, 2020
This was a great book for us to use at home. The style of the writing and the practices in the book make it so teen friendly and really helped to develop a necessary connection between Luna and the reader. It's clear that Jess Van Der Hoech has a lot of experience in this field and her insight and advice is so unique. The whole process helped so much.
July 13, 2020
I've suffered from anxiety since I was around 6 years old after a traumatic incident. That was 30 years ago and it wasn't widely accepted that children suffered from mental illness, so by the time I reached my teenage years I was a walking ball of anxiety and into adulthood, I have found it hard to deal with new situations and form lasting friendships.
If 'These Three Words' had existed when I was in my teenage years, I can't imagine how different my life would be now. If it is full of excellent coping strategies and easy ways to stop negative thought from taking root and spiraling out of control. Although I've learned through therapy how to manage my anxiety so much better, I still found Jess van de Hoech's book to be full of useful and actionable insights and exercises that have given me an extra book of confidence.
If you are the parent of a teen (not necessarily with anxiety), are a teen struggling with anxiety, or even an adult that just wants to understand their own feelings of anxiety better, I can't recommend 'These Three Words' enough. It doesn't just help with understanding and coping with anxiety, it also helps with communicating your feelings of anxiety or to talk to someone with anxiety, which is so important. Probably, most importantly, it teaches that no one is ever alone in feelings of anxiety and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
If 'These Three Words' had existed when I was in my teenage years, I can't imagine how different my life would be now. If it is full of excellent coping strategies and easy ways to stop negative thought from taking root and spiraling out of control. Although I've learned through therapy how to manage my anxiety so much better, I still found Jess van de Hoech's book to be full of useful and actionable insights and exercises that have given me an extra book of confidence.
If you are the parent of a teen (not necessarily with anxiety), are a teen struggling with anxiety, or even an adult that just wants to understand their own feelings of anxiety better, I can't recommend 'These Three Words' enough. It doesn't just help with understanding and coping with anxiety, it also helps with communicating your feelings of anxiety or to talk to someone with anxiety, which is so important. Probably, most importantly, it teaches that no one is ever alone in feelings of anxiety and it is nothing to be ashamed of.
July 24, 2020
This is a great book for teens to read and understand the normality of their feelings while growing up. I also think it would be an extremely useful resource for parents and even teachers to identify and assist anyone suffering from anxiety. The fact it is written from a fellow teens prospective makes it easy to identify with and Jess Van Der Hoech has so much experience to validate the effectiveness of the book.
December 20, 2020
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Bottles of Books
These Three Words by Jess van der Hoech follows the life of Luna-Ray, a 15-year-old student in England who’s keeping a secret from her friends and family – she always feels anxious. Not having been properly diagnosed before, and only being able to articulate her other symptoms; sickness and chronic stomach pains, she feels isolated and afraid of due to her condition. It’s not until she meets Sadie Rainbow where her life turns around.
When the author reached out to me to ask me to read this book, I was so happy as I knew this would be so important to everyone who reads it. The author, Van Der Hoech, is a therapist, and after realising that anxiety was on the rise amongst young adults, felt she needed to do something about it. The author told me how this book is “a way of getting some techniques out to kids who couldn’t get to therapy because waiting lists are at an all time high.” Through the character of Luna-Ray, teens, and even people of all ages, can relate to the protagonist and apply the skills to their lives.
One of the best things about this book, and one that I was completely surprised about, is how good the writing is - considering the purpose isn’t exactly literary but more of a ‘self-help’ book so to speak. The writing is simple but effective, getting the message across succinctly, and often leaving me in laughing fits. These Three Words has the right balance of humour, information and relatability that makes it a book I’m sure anyone would enjoy.
While the focus is on a 15-year-old who finds her family and school life difficult because of her anxiety, there are also examples of adults in the book who also experience the same things, highlighting to the reader that these feelings are normal throughout all ages and people.
This book is a huge step in the right direction regarding how literature treats mental illness, and hopefully more people with mental illness’ will feel confident going about their lives with this book, knowing that their feelings are valid. Reading about mental illnesses from people who have experienced it first-hand, or are an expert in the field, is always refreshing and I hope to see more books like this in the future.
Overall, if you suffer from anxiety, or know someone who does, I cannot recommend this book enough. It teaches the readers about skills to adopt to help cope with these issues, but also gives advice for how family members can interact with people who have anxiety so that they are most comfortable. Having a comfortable surrounding is crucial for those with anxiety and this book handles it perfectly.
Bottles of Books
These Three Words by Jess van der Hoech follows the life of Luna-Ray, a 15-year-old student in England who’s keeping a secret from her friends and family – she always feels anxious. Not having been properly diagnosed before, and only being able to articulate her other symptoms; sickness and chronic stomach pains, she feels isolated and afraid of due to her condition. It’s not until she meets Sadie Rainbow where her life turns around.
When the author reached out to me to ask me to read this book, I was so happy as I knew this would be so important to everyone who reads it. The author, Van Der Hoech, is a therapist, and after realising that anxiety was on the rise amongst young adults, felt she needed to do something about it. The author told me how this book is “a way of getting some techniques out to kids who couldn’t get to therapy because waiting lists are at an all time high.” Through the character of Luna-Ray, teens, and even people of all ages, can relate to the protagonist and apply the skills to their lives.
One of the best things about this book, and one that I was completely surprised about, is how good the writing is - considering the purpose isn’t exactly literary but more of a ‘self-help’ book so to speak. The writing is simple but effective, getting the message across succinctly, and often leaving me in laughing fits. These Three Words has the right balance of humour, information and relatability that makes it a book I’m sure anyone would enjoy.
While the focus is on a 15-year-old who finds her family and school life difficult because of her anxiety, there are also examples of adults in the book who also experience the same things, highlighting to the reader that these feelings are normal throughout all ages and people.
This book is a huge step in the right direction regarding how literature treats mental illness, and hopefully more people with mental illness’ will feel confident going about their lives with this book, knowing that their feelings are valid. Reading about mental illnesses from people who have experienced it first-hand, or are an expert in the field, is always refreshing and I hope to see more books like this in the future.
Overall, if you suffer from anxiety, or know someone who does, I cannot recommend this book enough. It teaches the readers about skills to adopt to help cope with these issues, but also gives advice for how family members can interact with people who have anxiety so that they are most comfortable. Having a comfortable surrounding is crucial for those with anxiety and this book handles it perfectly.
May 6, 2024
This book is just what any anxious teenager needs. It is what any parent to an anxious child needs. It is what any friend to somebody with anxiety needs!
If I had read this book when I was dealing with anxiety myself as a young girl, I would have felt so seen and understood. By the end of the book, Luna-Ray felt like a friend. I recognised many parts of myself in her, and she taught me a lot. I also believe having read a book about a teenager with anxiety knowing that I myself had that same experience, it really healed parts of my inner child. I was no longer alone.
The book is easy to read, and doesn't feel overwhelming or clinical about mental health like many anxiety books can. If you are someone who still wants to learn about anxiety but doesn't want to sit and read a textbook, this is for you! Having such a relatable novel for young people really changes the game for how books approach mental health as it doesn't feel like that's what you're reading about. It makes a good read for anyone and everyone.
The story is funny, heartwarming, relatable and includes therapeutic techniques effortlessly woven in that are easy to pick up and apply to your own life. The author being a therapist is a comforting fact, she knows what she is talking about!
Even if you do not have anxiety yourself but you do know someone who does, this book will help to take yourself into their world and begin to understand how life feels in the mind of someone struggling with anxiety. Learning the techniques provided yourself can allow you to support those you know if you recognise them exhibiting symptoms of anxiety.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
If I had read this book when I was dealing with anxiety myself as a young girl, I would have felt so seen and understood. By the end of the book, Luna-Ray felt like a friend. I recognised many parts of myself in her, and she taught me a lot. I also believe having read a book about a teenager with anxiety knowing that I myself had that same experience, it really healed parts of my inner child. I was no longer alone.
The book is easy to read, and doesn't feel overwhelming or clinical about mental health like many anxiety books can. If you are someone who still wants to learn about anxiety but doesn't want to sit and read a textbook, this is for you! Having such a relatable novel for young people really changes the game for how books approach mental health as it doesn't feel like that's what you're reading about. It makes a good read for anyone and everyone.
The story is funny, heartwarming, relatable and includes therapeutic techniques effortlessly woven in that are easy to pick up and apply to your own life. The author being a therapist is a comforting fact, she knows what she is talking about!
Even if you do not have anxiety yourself but you do know someone who does, this book will help to take yourself into their world and begin to understand how life feels in the mind of someone struggling with anxiety. Learning the techniques provided yourself can allow you to support those you know if you recognise them exhibiting symptoms of anxiety.
I cannot recommend this book enough!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews