Finding Perfect

by Elly Swartz Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya

Overview

A girl deals with friendship, family, and OCD in this classic-feeling, debut middle-grade novel by Elly Swartz.



To twelve-year-old Molly Nathans, perfect is: the number four; the tip of a newly sharpened No. 2 pencil; a crisp white pad of paper; her neatly aligned glass animal figurines.



What's not perfect is Molly's mother leaving the family to take a faraway job with the promise to return in one year. Molly knows that promises are sometimes broken, so she hatches a plan to bring her mother home: Win the Lakeville Middle School Poetry Slam Contest. The winner is honored at a fancy banquet with white tablecloths. Molly is sure her mother would never miss that. Right . . . ?



But as time passes, writing and reciting slam poetry become harder. Actually, everything becomes harder as new habits appear, and counting, cleaning, and organizing are not enough to keep Molly's world from spinning out of control. In this fresh-voiced debut novel, one girl learns there is no such thing as perfect.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

*A 2019-2020 Iowa Children's Choice Book!*

*A Kentucky Blue Grass Master List Pick!*

*A Child Mind's Institute Best Children's Book About Mental Health!*

"While there are several good books about OCD for teen readers, few are available for middle graders, and this is a welcome addition to the fold."—Kirkus

"First-time author Swartz creates a clear, moving portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder through the authentic voice of middle schooler Molly Nathans."—Publishers Weekly

"With middle school friendships and family relationships at its heart, this novel offers an empathetic guide to coping with a mental health issue...Swartz adds to the growing list of fiction titles that raise awareness of differences and promote acceptance; a strong purchase for most middle grade and middle school collections."—School Library Journal

"With intense and insightful depictions of Molly’s thoughts and subsequent actions, Swartz renders Molly’s decline into full-blown OCD visceral and sympathetic; readers with similar tendencies will relate while others, like her friends, will recognize the pain of seeing someone in need but not being able to help. This is a powerful but not overpowering novel, informing audiences about OCD with tact and acceptance through an accessible and relateable cast of characters, from Molly’s distracted but well-meaning father to her angry older sister to her supportive but helpless-feeling friends. It’s a difficult but manageable journey for readers to take, and many may find themselves using Swartz’s list of consulted resources for further information."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This lightly and sensitively written debut is a candid portrayal of what it might be like for a child living with obsessive-compulsive disorder...the exploration of OCD is thorough and compelling, and the book is as well researched (including a list of consulted resources) as it is gently written."—Booklist

"Elly Swartz’s extensive research into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is evidenced by the authenticity of Molly’s voice and perspective. Readers will share in Molly’s journey from pain to healing in this excellent debut novel."—School Library Connection

Kirkus Review

2016-08-02
If your parents are separating, your mother leaves home for a job elsewhere, and your best friend is about to move away, how can you gain control of your life?“Soap. Water. Scrub. Rinse. Good. No. Again.” Twelve-year-old Molly Nathans’ management strategies develop gradually—from aligning items to cleaning and organizing, hand-washing and counting—all intended to bring order to a series of life events that feel chaotic. The white girl’s convinced that she can bring her mother home by winning the school poetry slam and perfecting her routines. Molly’s close friends have their own, much milder fixations and ultimately support her OCD in a humane way. Her caring but preoccupied father eventually responds to her cries for help while identifying the role that genetics play in Molly’s experiences of self-loss and irrational fears. Debut author Swartz folds in helpful resources and delivers plot and characters that are occasionally overearnest and heavy-handed, with some of the predictability of a problem novel. Yet this first-person narrative of an increasingly common behavioral-health issue will undoubtedly be a useful tool for both classroom and group discussion. While there are several good books about OCD for teen readers, few are available for middle graders, and this is a welcome addition to the fold. (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173336972
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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