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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content warnings: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, self harm, pregnancy, blood depiction, grief & loss depiction, death of a baby brother recounted, disappearance of an infant, animal abuse.
While I haven't read it, this book feels like it's The Woman In The Window, but for children.
The OCD depiction in this book was so incredibly well done. I felt so seen.
While I haven't read it, this book feels like it's The Woman In The Window, but for children.
The OCD depiction in this book was so incredibly well done. I felt so seen.
Nada que decir además de que me pareció un libro excelente.
3.5 estrellas.
Me gustó mucho todo el tema del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo, creo que fue muy bien llevado adelante y dio varios momentos emotivos, como también la relación entre Matthew, Melody y Jake (por algún motivo sigo sintiendo en estos libros que los personajes se comportan y hablan como adultos y no como niños, pero quizás no recuerdo cómo me comportaba yo a esa edad).
No me gustó tanto la parte de "misterio" policial del libro. Lo hizo mucho más largo de lo necesario, y hubiera valido más la pena si el final no hubiera sido tan anticlimático, aunque obviamente es la trama principal que impulsa todo lo demás.
En general, aunque nada del otro mundo, me gustó bastante y fue una lectura más que entretenida.
Me gustó mucho todo el tema del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo, creo que fue muy bien llevado adelante y dio varios momentos emotivos, como también la relación entre Matthew, Melody y Jake (por algún motivo sigo sintiendo en estos libros que los personajes se comportan y hablan como adultos y no como niños, pero quizás no recuerdo cómo me comportaba yo a esa edad).
No me gustó tanto la parte de "misterio" policial del libro. Lo hizo mucho más largo de lo necesario, y hubiera valido más la pena si el final no hubiera sido tan anticlimático, aunque obviamente es la trama principal que impulsa todo lo demás.
En general, aunque nada del otro mundo, me gustó bastante y fue una lectura más que entretenida.
Matthew has OCD and stays in his room which he cleans obsessively. He doesn’t go outside and cannot attend school any more. He blames himself for a family tragedy, which is gradually revealed throughout the book. From his bedroom window, Matthew observes his neighbours and is quite instrumental in solving the mystery of a disappearing toddler. The book will appeal to children around 9-11, and is a great addition to your library shelves.
medium-paced
BIG CW for compulsive behavior and obsessive thoughts surrounding cleanliness, sanitation, death, and unlucky numbers. Additional CWs for bullying (child to child and adult to child), abelism, child endangerment, and .
So, this was good, but also a difficult read for two reasons. First reason: speaking from personal experience, this is a devastatingly accurate portrayal of having contamination-focused OCD, to the point where I felt actively called out at several points. While I think this would make it a good teaching aid for anyone who doesn't have OCD, those who DO might want to tread carefully. It didn't make me worse mentally, but emotionally it was a bit like being punched repeatedly. This poor freaking kid.
Second reason: this is also a devastatingly accurate portrayal of how other people treat you when you have a condition like this. I was about ready to smack the shit out of Matthew's parents at multiple points (especially when his mother accused him of tearing the family apart, which she NEVER apologized for even after). To be fair, I have this reaction to a lot of middle grade novel adults/parents; in this instance, though, I fully and regretfully acknowledge that they were, for once, accurate portrayals of adults in a situation like this. So it was GOOD writing, just INFURIATING writing. If you do have OCD or are otherwise mentally ill/ND, this one might hit too close to home. If you ARE the parent of a mentally ill/ND child...don't do this shit! I am begging you not to. Your child will never forget it.
Overall, would recommend, but be ready for emotions depending on what your brain is like. Also, the audiobook narrator was superb, so that's good news.
Spoiler
past newborn death/pregnancy complicationsSo, this was good, but also a difficult read for two reasons. First reason: speaking from personal experience, this is a devastatingly accurate portrayal of having contamination-focused OCD, to the point where I felt actively called out at several points. While I think this would make it a good teaching aid for anyone who doesn't have OCD, those who DO might want to tread carefully. It didn't make me worse mentally, but emotionally it was a bit like being punched repeatedly. This poor freaking kid.
Second reason: this is also a devastatingly accurate portrayal of how other people treat you when you have a condition like this. I was about ready to smack the shit out of Matthew's parents at multiple points (especially when his mother accused him of tearing the family apart, which she NEVER apologized for even after
Spoiler
learning Matthew blames himself for his brother's deathOverall, would recommend, but be ready for emotions depending on what your brain is like. Also, the audiobook narrator was superb, so that's good news.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an awesome middle school read. It's full of suspense and helps readers to understand others.
Matty lives with the secret guilt that he killed his baby brother. A series of events leaves him homebound and obsessed with germs. His parents don't understand and help him seek help. But before he can really get to the root of his OCD, Matty's next-door neighbor begins babysitting his grandkids, including a 15-month old. Day in, day out, Matty watches these kids, as well as the rest of the neighbors on the street. One day he sees the little guy in the yard next door and only a few hours later the toddler is reported missing. Matty is determined to solve this mystery with a neighbor girl who insists on being his friend, while making progress in his therapy bit by bit. The kidnapping is sad but ends okay (I had to read the end to make sure). The sad part is Matty's needless suffering.
Middle school.
Middle school.
I love that this author wrote a mystery, but also tackled the topic of mental illness. What a great way to break the stigma and help people feel some hope!! Probably more of a young adult than middle grades fiction, but I did enjoy it!