I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

'I can't Go to School' is a great workbook for children struggling with attendance at school, their parents, and even school staff. I've personally found that since covid19, more children have become anxious and insecure about going to school after so much time isolated and away from school. This has happened to my daughter, who's ten and suffers with anxiety, especially at school and going to school. I'm going to get a copy of this for her for when she starts at high school, as I think it will greatly benefit her with the huge step of starting high school. The book gives information about other children and their thoughts and feelings, which will definitely help children reading it feel less alone. It highlights so many factors as to why children struggle with attending school, especially for parents and teachers who may not understand the reasons behind the child's fears. This was such a great workbook with so much support and empathy from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own."

I read "I can't go to school" as I thought as a depressed middle schooler.

Most of the book was useful to explain and work through my emotions, but I kept going back to the first chapter. The one thing that set me off was it's going to be better one day. I felt (and still do) that, although true, it belittled what I felt in the present. As an adult, I understand repetition can be quite useful, as I kid I would not have read anymore of the book.

It would be a Shame, because, the worry basket in chapter 4 is a pretty awesome tool. As it working out what you can control and what you can't.

I can’t go to school is an amazing book that would be helpful to young people struggling with school attendance, their parents and their teachers. It outlines the many reasons why school can be a daunting prospect for some people and how adults around them could help. There may be environmental factors causing worry for children or internal issues such as mental health challenges.
As a practitioner who works with young people, many of which have low attendance it is fantastic to see a publication that is empathetic and helpful. Wider education of the many barriers to learning some young people face can only be a good thing.

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book, or what its target age range was, so I was pleasantly surprised that it would help young people from ages 12 to 18.
It might be daunting for someone of this age to read a book from cover to cover, but the chapters are short, with lots of illustrations and exercises to try.
It would be possible to work through it alone or with a parent, friend, guidance teacher or therapist.
I appreciate the language, as 'school refuser' is so negative.