A Review
Author: M. S. Ponce Siwy
Cover image adapted from the original cover of OCDaniel by Wesley King. Original cover © Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Hand illustration and adaptation by M. S. Ponce Siwy. Used for educational purposes.
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (A Paula Wiseman Book) in 2016, the juvenile fiction novel OCDaniel is written by Wesley King and counts as an own voices text due to the author having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCDaniel follows the story of a boy named Daniel, a teen who is unaware of his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While attempting to hide his self-proclaimed ‚craziness‘ at school, he catches the attention of ‚Psycho Sara,‘ a classmate who is deemed crazy by her peers. Together, they face challenges beyond their control while developing an unconventional friendship and gradually discovering that being ‚crazy‘ is not that crazy. The term ‘crazy’ is used by the protagonist to acknowledge his obsessions and compulsions that are symptoms of OCD. Although the term is stigmatizing and considered ableist, Daniel—who is unaware of his disorder and has no point of reference for his experiences—uses the term ‘crazy’ to define those traits.
What stood out the most to me is how King gives depth to the protagonist, making Daniel an interesting character to read about. He clearly avoids reducing Daniel to his disorder. This is shown by the struggles the protagonist shares with his classmates; his worries and wishes mirror a typical teenage experience. In addition, he lives with a disorder. This kind of portrayal shows that Daniel’s disorder is one of many layers that make up his character. These creative decisions result in a compelling story and captivating world-building. Likewise, OCDaniel does not only revolve around Daniel’s OCD but gives the reader space to breathe, using that space to immerse them in a broader, more complex environment. A disorder, though often impairing, will not necessarily be the only struggle nor the defining aspect of the life of the person who lives with it. Life is complex, and OCDaniel seems to understand this reality.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this book is written from the perspective of a teenager. The reader will get many insights into Daniel’s psyche, especially his imagination. Daniel likes to write; he writes a single story with its own plot lines over the course of the book. It’s Daniel’s way of processing what is happening in him. Even though these personal writings and passages are written by the protagonist, they do not drive the plot.
More than that, the story aligns with the backstory of the author of OCDaniel, as he describes himself as a child writer of hero stories, which is, in fact, similar to what Daniel writes about. In the author’s note, King mentions that OCDaniel is almost an autobiography of his teenage years, since he also was unaware of his OCD during that time.
The language featured in OCDaniel is at a B1 level of difficulty. It may be recommended to learners of English as a Foreign Language in grades 9 and 10, especially if the reading happens with the assistance of their teacher. Since the book reads as juvenile fiction, the themes depicted in the novel, such as friendship, belonging, and bullying, might connect with students in these grades. But language might be challenging, so teachers’ guidance is advised.
Using English literature improves the comfortability with the L2, as reading is practiced. While doing so, teachers and students should keep in mind that this story might be triggering for some readers. The book does not shy away from showing credible depictions of panic attacks while dealing with triggering topics like death, mental health issues, and harmful family dynamics.
Additionally, using texts like OCDaniel can open a conversation about inclusion and neurodiversity in the classroom, for example, through group reading or discussing themes touched upon in the book. Furthermore, students can empathize with people who suffer with the same disorder. Touching upon these themes enriches students‘ and teachers’ views and their experiences with the world.
Overall, OCDaniel by Wesley King is a great option to introduce your students to topics of inclusion and reduce stigma in the classroom while at the same time introducing the class to new terminology and enriching their vocabulary through reading.
The book can be found through this ISBN: 978-1-4814-5532-9.