The International Young Carers Manual is a 181 page document that provides a list of resources world wide.  According to the authors: " The purpose of this document is to create a practical, easy to follow directory of young carer programs internationally.  It aims to be a resource for individuals and organisations looking for innovative ways to support young carers who have a  parent with a mental illness and to facilitate the collaboration between agencies state wide, nationally and internationally. It became apparent that some countries have a minimal to nonexistent services for young carers, and this resource may be able to assist them with knowledge of what is possible and contacts of people who are working in this area on any specific program."

The Manual can be found here.

Alzheimer's Association - seeks to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. 1-800-272-3900 www.alz.org

Alzheimer's Foundation of American Teens - seeks to mobilize teenagers nationwide to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and to engage teenagers in the cause. 1-866-AFA-8484 www.afateens.org

Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) - the oldest US caregiving organization offering information and referrals, support groups, educational outreach, speaker's bureau and publications as it seeks to heighten public awareness that the health of the family caregivers is essential to ensure quality care of the nation's growing elderly population. 1-800-227-7294 www.caps4caregivers.org

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) - a public voice that supports and sustains caregivers throughout the country with information, education, services, research and advocacy. 1-800-445-8106 www.caregiver.org

Generations United - seeks to improve the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational collaboration, public policies, and programs for the enduring benefit of all. 1-202-289-3979 www.gu.org

National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) - an organization created in support of family caregivers and the professionals who assist them; and to increase public awareness of issues facing caregiving families. 1-301-718-8444 www.caregiving.org

National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) - offers free membership for all family caregivers and benefits including formation, education, publications and advocacy. 1-800-896-3650 www.thefamilycaregiver.org

National Multiple Sclerosis Society - helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. 1-800-344-4867 www.nmss.org

Well Spouse Foundation - "When one is sick...two need help" is the slogan of the international support organization for wives, husbands and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. 1-800-838-0879 www.wellspouse.org

Internet Support:
a.    www.caregiver.com
b.    www.caregivershome.com
c.    www.care-giving.com
d.    www.caregiving.com
e.    www.strengthforcaring.com
f.    www.youngcarers.net
g.    www.youngcarers.net.au

Many of the main characters in these books are caregivers of a mentally ill parent or have, because of the illness, taken on responsibilities beyond what is typical for their age.

Brown, Susan Taylor, Hugging the Rock
Rachel and her father grow closer when Rachel's mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder, runs away from home. (Grades 5-8)

Fischer, Jackie, An Egg on Three Sticks
Abby's household gets more and more chaotic when her mother becomes mentally ill and is hospitalized. (Grade 7-up)

Haddix, Margaret Peterson, Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey
Tish uses a journal to sort out her feelings, including her difficulties with a depressed mother. (Ages 12-up)

Johnson, Lindsay Lee, Worlds Apart
Winnie's mother becomes depressed after the family's move from Chicago to rural Minnesota. (Grades 8-11)

Marchetta, Melina, Saving Francesca
Sixteen-year-old Australian schoolgirl Francesca is in for a tough year when her usually optimistic mother, Mia, becomes depressed and fails to get out of bed one morning. (Ages 12-up)

Pearson, Mary E., A Room on Lorelei Street
Seventeen-year-old Zoe moves to a rented room when she can no longer cope with her alcoholic mother and the fallout from her father's possible suicide. (Grade 10-up)

Peters, Julie Anne, Define "Normal"
High school students Antonia and Jazz couldn't be more different, but their peer-counseling sessions help Antonia cope with her parents' divorce and her mother's depression. (Grade 7-10)

Powell, Randy, Run If You Dare
Gardner hopes to find some discipline in his own life while he watches his father's life succumb to despair. (Ages 12-up)

Quarles, Heather, A Door Near Here
Fifteen-year-old Katharine has her hands full: running the household, caring for three siblings, and concealing her mother's alcoholism. (Ages 12-up)

Rinaldi, Ann, Or Give Me Death
In this historical novel based on the life of Patrick Henry, his daughters, ages nine and sixteen, tell the story of their mother's mental illness and confinement to the cellar. (Grades 7-9)

Trueman, Terry, No Right Turn
Following his father's suicide, Jordan loses himself by joyriding in a vintage car. (Grades 8-11)

Warner, Sally, How to Be a Real Person (In Just One Day)
Eleven-year-old Kara wants no one, including her father, to find out about her mother's deteriorating mental health. (Ages 10-14)

Wilson, Jacqueline, The Illustrated Mum
Ten-year-old Dolphin and her teenage sister, Star, struggle to pick up the pieces while their mom, the charismatic, tattoo-covered Marigold, copes with bipolar disorder and a chaotic love life. (Grades 5-7)

Young, Janet Ruth, The Opposite of Music
Along with his mother and sister, fifteen-year-old Billy will do almost anything to save his father from a life-threatening depression. (Ages 12-up)

Zemser, Amy Brownwen, Beyond the Mango Tree
A white American girl living in Liberia confronts poverty and social injustice while dealing with her unstable mother, who is also severely diabetic. (Ages 10-up)

This reading list was compiled by Janet Ruth Young from the recommendations of librarians on the Young Adult Library Services Association book discussion list.