Veronica AgarwalRezensionen

This is a sweet graphic novel about a middle schooler who deals with OCD. Sweet family relationship and shows building friendships while also dealing with mental health. Would have in a class library for 5th and 6th graders.

Man, I have been on a roll with some fantastic middle grade graphic novels lately! Get it, on a roll XD. But for real, I am loving them! And this one was sooo good! It’s another one that features a big theme of mental health and this time in relation to OCD and anxiety! A new sixth grader who loves playing RPG starts to worry her family when it seems like she needs to roll a d20 for every decision in her life, even the smallest ones like which way to turn down a hallway or whether or not she is allowed to eat a snack before starting homework.

We get to see the everyday worries any sixth grader would go through in starting at their new school, making friends, getting homework done, and joining clubs. But we also get to see how this stress load becomes too much for some people sometimes. Maggie lives in so much fear because she doesn’t understand her OCD at first and is so scared she will hurt the people she loves. But she makes really good friends that support her, already has a family that loves and supports her, and finally decides to try therapy to see if it can help.

I also love the notes at the end of the book about how the graphic novel was made! Always cool to see the behind the scenes stuff like that! And I really appreciate the author note that encourages people to “shop around” with therapists until you find the right fit for you, because it’s really true. I think it’s easy to have a bad experience and decide not to do therapy anymore, so I think this is an important step of the process.

Entering into sixth grade has Maggie worried about everything: Will she make friends? Will she pick the right afterschool club for her? Will she remember to always bring in her homework? Will she live up to the legacy of her two older sisters who were high academic achievers? And most of all, just WHAT is that thing rustling in the grass around the school that leaves everyone spreading rumors about a deadly snake?

Having some worries and fears is a normal part of life, and pretty standard when it comes to entering middle school. But instead of facing her fears, Maggie turns to little compulsions like flicking the light switches several times when she arrives home or constantly rolling her 20-sided dice to make a decision for her, even little things like what to eat for lunch. Her family and friends gently show her how her OCD is starting to control her life, so this book serves an empathetic look at how to help those who are struggling with mental illness and the general stresses of life.

In addition to this detailed look into the mind of someone going through life with untreated OCD, the book has many other diverse characters and situations, including LGBT couples, people of color, etc. Therefore it more accurately reflects what many middle schoolers see in their own schools and lives. The cast of characters is pretty large so it did take me a moment to get a hold on who everyone was and how they all related together, but it's definitely manageable and fairly quickly so.

The illustrations are a little more cartoony than I typically prefer but I think they work very well here, offsetting the more difficult subject matters with these fun and fresh faces. It also helps with keeping track of that large cast of characters by having all of them always wear the same outfit no matter what scene they are in over time and space. Authors' notes at the end of the book explain the process of sketching and inking the artwork as well as how both writer and illustrator had their own battles with mental illness.½

Cute but choppy. Would be a useful bibliotherapy tool for OCD kids.

I really appreciate how many kids' books and graphic novels are tackling mental health issues.

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-7

Plot Summary: Maggie is starting junior high. Her siblings had an impressive experience in their clubs and classes so Maggie has a lot to live up to. She rolls her 20-sided die she always keeps in her pocket to help her decide how the first day will go (18 - so it should be just fine), if she should become friends with Clara (8 - so maybe it's not a good idea?), and to figure out how to answer one of Clara's questions. That's just the first day! On the way out of school, Maggie swears she sees something in the grass. She isn't the only one who thinks they see something! Over the next few days (or weeks?), kids whisper, point, and watch. What is in the grass? Can Maggie figure it out?

Setting:

Characters:
Maggie - 11 yo,
Clara - outgoing, loves the same books as Maggie, encourages safely, questions Maggie about her OCD habits in a safe way
Alex and Eli - Maggie's sister and her girlfriend

Recurring Themes: OCD, friendship, school, LGBT, fitting in, bullying

Controversial Issues:
older sister is gay and compares coming out to having OCD because fear can prevent someone from living life fully (pg 142-143)

Personal Thoughts: The characters are drawn to look younger than sixth grade .

Genre: realistic fiction

Pacing: fast, graphic novel
Characters: well developed and not too many
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity:

This book felt soooooo long (I think some filler could've been cut), but I also think it was really good. I loved how understanding Clara was and how OCD doesn’t just manifest in one way.

3.5