Matt Blackstone

My knowledge of OCD comes from some books, both fiction and non-fiction, and True Life. My knowledge on what goes on in a fourteen-year-old boy's head is somewhere between nothing and nil. The most I can brag about the second one comes from young adult books. Saying that I have to say that Rene has the maturity of a very slow five year old.

The character is supposed to have obsessive compulsive disorder but I would not be surprised if he had ADHD or ADD to varying degrees.

Beside the fact that I did not like Rene at all was the plot. Or should I say the lack of one. This is my interpretation of the book: If you don't like your home life run away because when you finally do call for help everyone will treat you like a hero. Rene's OCD was not mentioned, discussed, or even hinted at through out the entire book so I found myself forgetting the reason that I was supposed to let him get away with acting like the mayor of idiotville.

However, while the characters and plot were not anywhere near what I had been hoping for I liked the idea of the book if not the execution. I like learning about common disorders and OCD is something almost everybody has even if it is not as severe as others. I have read a few books with the same idea behind it and while the main characters did bug me at times I found them endearing in their own way.

My advice is to check out the other books before you go with this one. That way you know whether or not you can deal with anyone as annoying as Rene.… (mais)

I received an ARC of this book for review from Teen Book Scene Tours. This in no way influenced my review of this book.

This novel is a definite recommend for anyone who reads YA! The world could definitely use some more empathetic writers when it comes to quirky characters with mental health issues and Matt Blackstone is one to add to my very small list.

Rene is socially challenged if we're being PC, but he has some OCD tendencies as well. He can't step on a crack or it will bring bad luck. He has to smell his left hand, you'll love the reason for picking that hand! And he has to touch his locker with his pinky a certain number of times. But he is adorably frank and it makes him seem immature as he doesn't get the social clues and cues of others. But he does weigh the outcomes of his actions-he calls it playing ping pong. And honestly, I don't think that's so weird at all, or maybe I just have that in common with him because I do that all the time, too.

Gio, on the other hand, is the epitome of cool. He fits in anywhere, whether it's with the teachers or the students, he's just it. He coins phrases like "Get off my biscuit" and "B'noodles" and he's the coolest. And to Rene, he is a beacon. If he can be friends with Gio his whole life will change. He'll get over his fears, he'll stop worrying about Phil, everything will get better. Gio's philosophy about life allows him to not take Rene too seriously or for granted. He finds Rene funny and seems to understand him. The two become friends and complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

I have to say this book had some of the best laugh out loud moments I've ever read in a book. This was the kind of book that had me crying I was laughing so hard. And then, of course, I had to share what I was laughing about and it was just as funny sharing it with someone.

There is a serious side to the novel wrapped in an adventure and Rene's character see's some changes, some growth or healing. I'm not sure what you'd say. I loved the ending, though the serious part felt a bit like a different book than the beginning. The entire book is told from Rene's point of view which is great because you can see the way his brain works and hear his ping pong game in his head and actually hear him grow as he faces some challenges. It's a great book and I would not classify it as a boy book at all. I think it's equally enjoyable by both boys and girls. Matt Blackstone is wonderful at sharing a look inside the head of a boy with OCD and yet still a teenage boy!… (mais)

I am going to borrow a word from the novel to describe this book - it was b'noodles. In other words, uniquely cool.

Rene is a boy struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a broken household - his father (or ex-father), Phil, left years ago and his mother is left working all hours to support the family. Being in high school is difficult, but having OCD in high school is even more so. Each day there are little rituals Rene must perform - or else. He doesn't want to be the cause of broken bones, bad situations or even death of the people around him. It is his duty to do these things. Like tapping his locker three times with his pinkie finger for good luck, or showering in a certain order, or smelling his hand to remind himself that he is a normal human being. When Rene meets Gio, he is introduced to what it's like to have a friend for the first time. Then he faces the problem of doing what he thinks is right, or going against his instincts to keep his friendship.

This book was very interesting and unique. I really felt like I began to understand Rene. All the little things he does he explains why so well, that they really don't seem all that crazy. I will admit to thinking or noticing a few things that Rene picks up - it made me laugh when he was in a situation I could relate to.

I liked how this novel had many levels of depth. It comes off light and humorous, but when you start to think about it, it really is a story of Rene struggling not only with the outside world, but with himself. It is sad yet hopeful at the same time.

This novel is definitely different from the rest of the books on the shelves. Children who find themselves different, on the outside or are struggling with their family situation will definitely enjoy it. Or maybe you just like trying something new - in that case, go for it and try this one. Just because I've had the urge to use this phrase since starting finding it in this book, I am now gonna yell... "Get off my biscuit!"… (mais)