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A review by char_p97
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
5.0
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy off of Scholastic as part of their Blogger’s Book Feast. I have chosen to read it and write a review.
The main theme within the book was OCD – a mental illness – with the sufferer being a 12 year-old boy. We see Matty who refuses to leave his room, has a unhealthy habit for latex gloves and stores cleaning supplies under his bed. He isolates himself from the outside world in fear of infecting himself and others around him. We understand that Matty likes to observe the outside world, he makes notes of the comings and goings of his neighbours. His OCD manifests in forms of cleaning and the unlucky number, which you glimpse throughout the book. A feature which I think makes it easier for younger readers to have an understanding of the strains living with OCD, something which I give praise to Lisa for doing.
It is not however, all about OCD, it’s about a missing child, mysterious trips to a graveyard, a orange lamp that is always lit. As you learn about Matty and the source which triggered his OCD, you also learn about the people on his street, like Melody, his old friend Jake (which we get a few chapters of their backstory), Old Nina (who lives in the rectory). Matty’s OCD spirals out of control just as next door’s grandchild goes missing.
Dubbed as ‘Goldfish Boy’ Matty sets out to explore the real reason as to why the toddler is missing. We see him overcome several of his fears, being mocked and ignored by police, parents and neighbours, Matty does not give up, until he finds the answer with his two friends (one that I guessed, but did not understand how it would be discovered – very cleverly written!) as well as overcoming his fears and attending therapy. As the story progressed and we found out more about the characters, I felt drawn towards Matty, his story is an emotional one, but written in great detail.
The cover artwork and chapter illustrations are fantastic and it both give a visual understanding of what OCD feels like for an individual. Plus, its signed, and who doesn’t love a signed book?!
The main theme within the book was OCD – a mental illness – with the sufferer being a 12 year-old boy. We see Matty who refuses to leave his room, has a unhealthy habit for latex gloves and stores cleaning supplies under his bed. He isolates himself from the outside world in fear of infecting himself and others around him. We understand that Matty likes to observe the outside world, he makes notes of the comings and goings of his neighbours. His OCD manifests in forms of cleaning and the unlucky number, which you glimpse throughout the book. A feature which I think makes it easier for younger readers to have an understanding of the strains living with OCD, something which I give praise to Lisa for doing.
It is not however, all about OCD, it’s about a missing child, mysterious trips to a graveyard, a orange lamp that is always lit. As you learn about Matty and the source which triggered his OCD, you also learn about the people on his street, like Melody, his old friend Jake (which we get a few chapters of their backstory), Old Nina (who lives in the rectory). Matty’s OCD spirals out of control just as next door’s grandchild goes missing.
Dubbed as ‘Goldfish Boy’ Matty sets out to explore the real reason as to why the toddler is missing. We see him overcome several of his fears, being mocked and ignored by police, parents and neighbours, Matty does not give up, until he finds the answer with his two friends (one that I guessed, but did not understand how it would be discovered – very cleverly written!) as well as overcoming his fears and attending therapy. As the story progressed and we found out more about the characters, I felt drawn towards Matty, his story is an emotional one, but written in great detail.
The cover artwork and chapter illustrations are fantastic and it both give a visual understanding of what OCD feels like for an individual. Plus, its signed, and who doesn’t love a signed book?!