Afbeelding auteur

Anna Russell (1) (1911–2006)

Auteur van The Anna Russell Album

Voor andere auteurs genaamd Anna Russell, zie de verduidelijkingspagina.

12+ Werken 119 Leden 4 Besprekingen

Werken van Anna Russell

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teen fiction (OCD, novel in verse)

I don't usually like novels in verse unless they are done really well, but I was pleasantly surprised by this very readable work (which went rather nicely together with the drum beat background of the story).

I recently met a 5-year-old with OCD and I am glad that she has parents that are supportive and informed. For all the kids out there who might not know they can ask for help yet, I hope they find this book.
 
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reader1009 | 3 andere besprekingen | Jul 3, 2021 |
“I think she wants all the pieces of us- who we used to be.” I looked out the car window, saw Mom walking toward us, sunshine grin lighting up her face.“Julia?” I asked. “Do you think that means she’s afraid of who we’re going to become?”

It’s always hard to rate a book about a disorder you’re not familiar with or do not have experience with, but the way the author describes the anxiety Josh felt and the way he struggled with how his brain worked seems a truthful fit (not mentioning outsiders just not understanding that your brain works differently and you cannot control it).

This is a verse book which I love, and it works very well with the story. Josh is a 16-year-old boy who has undiagnosed OCD. He, along with his family, friends, and teachers from school, do not understand why he acts like he does. In the book, is OCD is most prominent when he’s playing his drums. He HAS to finish each song he starts no matter what. Even if his parents tell him to stop or if he’s running late for school, he has to finish. Of course, that puts a strain on his relationship with his father, who just thinks he’s being rebellious.

Julia is Josh’s older sister. She’s the one who Josh trusts the most, and for not understanding Josh’s dilemma, Julia is very understanding of him. BUT, she’s also not the perfect teenager that’s usually portrayed in YA books. She gets frustrated with her brother’s antics even while trying to understand him.

I really, really appreciate the author’s attention to mental disorder and medication. Josh’s therapist explained that medication is not a fix-all as some believe; it’s just there to help with symptoms.

Overall, “What If?” is a great quick read that lets readers see in the mind of someone with a mental disorder, and how he and his family are affected.
… (meer)
 
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ReadingBifrost | 3 andere besprekingen | Apr 17, 2019 |
Russell's What If? is a story written out as a book. It follows a young boy who loves to drum. And who has to repeat or 'do over’ certain actions or tasks, thanks to obsessive thoughts. Josh is a counter, one suffering from OCD who must count things. As his problems grow worse, Josh consents to talking to a therapist, and to taking medication to help quiet the obsessions. As the OCD grows worse and begin to cause issues in school, Josh's father doesn't make it easy. He strips Josh of coping aids, and questions why Josh can't just stop acting on the thoughts, can't just turn the thoughts off. Can things ever work out in Josh's favour?

I loved the poem format of the story. I'm finding more and more books that tell their whole stories this way. As a poet myself, I find this a delightful trend, and hope it fosters a greater sense of appreciation for poetry in groups that might otherwise discount it. As a story about a teen coping with OCD, I 100% grok this. I suffered from it badly, starting in middle school. I'm a checker, and organiser. I used to have to check door locks ten to fifteen times in a row before being released from the compulsion. Or check electrical items to make sure they were off. And you know, deep down, this behaviour makes no sense, but the surface thoughts don't let go. If the door's unlocked, a stranger might get in. If things are left on, they might catch fire. Josh's thoughts, his actions, and reactions were so relatable to me, and certainly will be to any out there suffering from this vicious anxiety disorder.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and West 44 Books for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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PardaMustang | 3 andere besprekingen | Jan 23, 2019 |
What if?
By Anna Russell
Due January 2019
West 44 Books

Short but important and impactful YA book about a young boy, Josh Baker, who has always been obsessed with counting things-over and over. He is intelligent, a math-wiz and a talented drummer, but his low grades constantly disappoint his father. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD it is a blessing and a curse.
Writing this in lyrical prose was brilliant-sharing with the reader the fragmented, often disjointed thinking patterns of OCD.
Excellent book, I hope it does well.
Thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an advance ebook copy for review.
#WhatIf #NetGalley
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over.the.edge | 3 andere besprekingen | Oct 4, 2018 |

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Statistieken

Werken
12
Ook door
1
Leden
119
Populariteit
#166,388
Waardering
3.9
Besprekingen
4
ISBNs
16
Talen
1

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