Not as Crazy as I Seem by George Harrar

NOT AS CRAZY AS I SEEM by George Harrar

Review by our resident author, Joyce Moyer Hostetter.

HEALING WATER (Spring 2008)
BLUE (2006)
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER (1995)

Devon Brown has tendencies. He tends to be afraid of germs. To be obsessive about numbers and about how he hangs his shirts in the closet. He tends to be anxious about many things. He has his own logic for why he eats his peas in fours, why he can’t bring himself to eat in the school cafeteria, and why he walks in the gutter instead of using the sidewalk. His logic might seem crazy but it stems from his own reality which is too painful to discuss. And so Devon tucks his pain inside and keeps a tight control on his life.

Because of his tendencies and their negative impact on him, Devon ’s parents move him to a new town. They are intent on giving him a fresh start. A new beginning means a new psychiatrist, a private school, and the opportunity to make new friends.

But making friends would mean interaction. And with interaction comes risk. In spite of himself, however, Devon rather likes Tanya, the classmate who seeks him out in the parking lot during lunch period. He’s wary of Ben the purple haired boy who smokes marijuana in the school basement. Yet, following Ben into questionable activities fits with Devon ’s “crazy” logic,

Ben is trouble. When Devon finds himself in a real crisis, as opposed to those he regularly imagines, he is forced to examine the source of his pain.

Devon tells his story so convincingly that readers actually “get” his logic. So truthfully that we feel his pain, and with such humor that the pain is bearable. This is an immensely enjoyable and revealing look at obsessive compulsive disorder.

Especially recommended for upper elementary and middle school students but also of interest to anyone who wants to explore compulsive behaviors.

PS. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THE CONTEST FOR COURTING EMMA. I'LL POST WINNERS TOMORROW! GOOD LUCK.

THE WONDER KID by George Harrar

The Wonder Kid by George Harrar

Review by Joyce Moyer Hostetter

http://www.joycemoyerhostetter.com/


The Wonder Kid is one that I like to recommend when I speak to school groups about polio. It’s a lovely little book. Such a great size and so kid friendly with its comic strip feel. It is the story of Jesse MacLean who faced some serious life changing things one summer. As Jesse puts it:

Summer is when you’re supposed to have all sorts of fun, like one long recess…
Well, 1954, when Gramps moved in with us, was the summer of no fun—and it was all because of polio.

1954 was also the year that Jonas Salk conducted his field trial for the polio vaccine and one year later he announced the vaccine’s success. Meanwhile parents were deathly afraid for their children’s health and Jesse’s mom was no exception. So she kept him in the house as much as possible – no swimming whatsoever and only one trip alone to the picture show. Jesse spent his time drawing, visiting with his Gramps, and imagining himself strong like Charles Atlas.

Then grief strikes Jesse and polio does too. He feels weaker than ever. But in some ways he is just finding his own strength.

This story is about much more than polio. It is about relationships and how they carry us through difficult times, how the smallest things we say have a lasting impact on others, and how people who seem really tough on the outside may actually feel as vulnerable as we do on the inside.

Jesse shares this story in first person. His voice is “easy listening” – not in the relaxing sense of the word; there are some disturbing things in his story. But he shares them with humor and honesty and the reader cares about him right away.

The author note at the end is a really good overview of polio history.

Oh, and I loved this word of wisdom from Jesse MacLean:

Sometimes when a mean thought goes through your head, it’s better to zip your mouth closed.