Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz

Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for 2 reasons (1) Pernille Ripp recommended it & (2) I am reading debut authors for March twitter chat and this little gem is Elly's first novel. Molly is 12 years old, loves composing and acting our slam poetry, but desperately misses her mom who has moved away for a year for a job (and also separate from her dad). Molly likes even numbers, the orderly arrangement of her glass animals, but as time goes on and with her little brother, Ian and her older sister, Kate this family yearns for their mom to return. As Molly realizes her mind (SHE IS CRAZY) is crazy and holding her back, more & more counting is required to get through the day who can she tell about her worries? I ached for Molly as she is pitted between her two best friends, begins to realize her mother may not be coming home for a much needed visit, daily life becomes a living hell. I was happy Molly researched OCD, asked her Dad if there was a family connection & found online OCD friends but that still did not help Molly. In the end, finding perfect for Molly was learning her Grammy Jean had OCD, getting help through doctors and family & friend support. Loved this middle school book & heroine!

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Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This will be another book I suggest to #yearofya May chat and I just loved Audible's Amy Rubinate as she narrated Samantha (Sam's) grappling with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) from the age of 11. Sam decides to keep this secret from her friends, who are not really nice girls, and there is a slippery slope in the pecking order of their friendship. So things begin to change when one day a girl a few lockers down talks to Sam in school and as she gets to know Caroline, Sam begins to see what a true friend is. I liked how vulnerable Sam was but how strong she was when it came to swimming, confiding to her doctor in weekly sessions and trying to control her OCD's dark thoughts and obessions. I learned so much about this disorder from this book and the author has a NOTE at the end with important information. A great read for students, teachers and guidance counselors! Highly recommended!!!

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