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Buzzing
A moving middle grade graphic novel about friendship, belonging, and learning to love yourself despite the voices in your head.
Isaac Itkin can’t get away from his thoughts.
As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.
The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn’t seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.
But Isaac’s therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won’t let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.
Isaac Itkin can’t get away from his thoughts.
As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.
The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn’t seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.
But Isaac’s therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won’t let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2023
63 people are currently reading
3831 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Sattin
30 books110 followersSamuel Sattin is an American writer. His books include the multi-volume Unico series for Scholastic Graphix, Buzzing, Side Quest, The Silent End, and (as co-author) both A Kids Guide to Anime and Manga and The Essential Anime Guide: 50 Iconic Films, Standout Series, and Cult Masterpieces. He has also adapted the Academy Award-nominated films WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea, and The Secret of Kells to the graphic novel format. He graduated with an MFA in comics from the California College of the Arts and works as a studio writer for Schulz Creative Associates, aka Snoopy Central. Samuel resides with his wife in Northern California, and travels frequently to Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
December 19, 2022
The power of a supportive role playing group can't fix everything, but it goes a long way. Isaac is a teen with OCD, who suffers from near constant intrusive thoughts, cleverly visualized here as bees with mean voices. Over the story he builds confidence and community by leaning into his love of fantasy and drawing; as a former fellow misfit teen artist, it was wonderful to watch him grow. This is a nuanced and diverse coming of age story, I'm so excited for all of the readers who will discover it and see themselves in it. The art is excellent, both in the real world day to day parts of the story and the D&D fantasy parts of the story. I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this book because I am friends with both of the authors- pre order it now, or look for it on shelves in July 2023!
October 5, 2023
2.5⭐
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea and I probably wasn't in the right mood for it despite the beautiful artwork, vibrant colours and insight into living with OCD.
I wasn't expecting this graphic novel to have fantasy scenes and found those a chore to read. Not only was there lots of game jargon and lacklustre team building, those scenes were also too wordy and made each page feeling cluttered. Either focus on the gaming world more or leave it out more. Instead, it was neither here nor there. I wasn't sufficiently invested and felt tedious while reading.
Isaac's mom annoyed me and came around too quickly; she was not challenged or developed enough before having some sudden epiphany. Poor Miriam! She deserved better and I wish there had been more of her.
An okay read overall.
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea and I probably wasn't in the right mood for it despite the beautiful artwork, vibrant colours and insight into living with OCD.
I wasn't expecting this graphic novel to have fantasy scenes and found those a chore to read. Not only was there lots of game jargon and lacklustre team building, those scenes were also too wordy and made each page feeling cluttered. Either focus on the gaming world more or leave it out more. Instead, it was neither here nor there. I wasn't sufficiently invested and felt tedious while reading.
Isaac's mom annoyed me and came around too quickly; she was not challenged or developed enough before having some sudden epiphany. Poor Miriam! She deserved better and I wish there had been more of her.
An okay read overall.
May 29, 2024
Wat een cute en fijn verhaal. Het laat de kracht van verbinding zien, en dat een RPG (role playing game, zoals Dungeons&Dragons) dat kan betekenen voor iemand (en datzelfde geldt trouwens ook voor TSG, een trading card game, zoals Pokémon of Magic). Echt inderdaad een boek om bij ons in de winkel op voorraad te hebben, dus ik ben Marieke erg dankbaar voor de tip en het uitlenen!
Ook vond ik het kleurgebruik in deze prachtig gedaan. Ik heb dit met veel plezier gelezen!
Ook vond ik het kleurgebruik in deze prachtig gedaan. Ik heb dit met veel plezier gelezen!
July 23, 2023
This was an EXCELLENT #ownvoices middle grade graphic novel about a young boy struggling with OCD and negative self thoughts. The therapy rep woven throughout was well done and the illustrations are GORGEOUS!
I absolutely loved how the bees were used as a metaphor for his angry/negative doubts and worries. The friend group were also really supportive and diverse (one is nonbinary) and it was so fun seeing a fictional Dungeons and Dragons role playing story in story and how that helped Isaac gain more confidence with his skills as an artist.
The author also did a good job focusing on Isaac's complicated family relationships with both his mom and sister. While they love him, his condition affects them too and the story deals with this with empathy and compassion in a relatable way.
Highly recommended especially for fans of books like Living with Viola by Rosena Fung - a middle grade graphic novel about life with anxiety.
I absolutely loved how the bees were used as a metaphor for his angry/negative doubts and worries. The friend group were also really supportive and diverse (one is nonbinary) and it was so fun seeing a fictional Dungeons and Dragons role playing story in story and how that helped Isaac gain more confidence with his skills as an artist.
The author also did a good job focusing on Isaac's complicated family relationships with both his mom and sister. While they love him, his condition affects them too and the story deals with this with empathy and compassion in a relatable way.
Highly recommended especially for fans of books like Living with Viola by Rosena Fung - a middle grade graphic novel about life with anxiety.
September 3, 2023
I really liked how they played with the saturation and/or tint of the different panels to reflect Isaac's mood, it had a cool visual effect
May 16, 2025
possibly the best visual depiction of OCD i've ever seen. and just... wow.
July 29, 2023
This book was absolutely incredible. I’m so glad I picked this up! It’s definitely one of my favorite books of the year (so far).
While I don’t have OCD, I do struggle a lot with unwanted intrusive thoughts, and this book represented them so well. Seeing how Issac struggled with them made me feel very, very seen. I think this is an incredibly important book- not many middle grade books go deep into topics like these, but it is very much needed. If I had read this when I was in middle school, it definitely would have helped with the mental health struggles I was having.
Speaking of me being in middle school, the cast of characters surrounding Issac remind me so much of my own friend group at that age- nerdy, queer, and above all else, compassionate. I think all of these characters were fleshed out well, and were all so vibrant. Really good art/character designs too!
If you have ever struggled with OCD, depression, instructive thoughts, etc, I highly recommend reading this. If you like really well made graphic novels, I also highly recommend for those reasons.
Everyone go read this right now!!
While I don’t have OCD, I do struggle a lot with unwanted intrusive thoughts, and this book represented them so well. Seeing how Issac struggled with them made me feel very, very seen. I think this is an incredibly important book- not many middle grade books go deep into topics like these, but it is very much needed. If I had read this when I was in middle school, it definitely would have helped with the mental health struggles I was having.
Speaking of me being in middle school, the cast of characters surrounding Issac remind me so much of my own friend group at that age- nerdy, queer, and above all else, compassionate. I think all of these characters were fleshed out well, and were all so vibrant. Really good art/character designs too!
If you have ever struggled with OCD, depression, instructive thoughts, etc, I highly recommend reading this. If you like really well made graphic novels, I also highly recommend for those reasons.
Everyone go read this right now!!
November 16, 2023
Really gorgeous example of what neurodivergence can feel like.
Isaac's negative thoughts and OCD follows him around like a literal swarm of bees. It's a well-chosen metaphor. Bee stings aren't always cataclysmic injuries, but they pull all focus, cause so much pain. And being surrounded by bees constantly would put most anybody on edge.
Isaac is in middle school. His mom has historically kept him isolated from his peers, largely out of fear. But he meets some new people who play a roleplaying game, and finds some kindred spirits.
Beautifully told, lots of great diversity (I could have used a few more fat bodies, but extra points for centering queer folx). Feels more sophisticated in tone than the Juvenile stuff I've seen it compared to. Goes to slightly darker places.
If you need to explain intrusive thoughts to someone, this would be a great thing to hand them.
Isaac's negative thoughts and OCD follows him around like a literal swarm of bees. It's a well-chosen metaphor. Bee stings aren't always cataclysmic injuries, but they pull all focus, cause so much pain. And being surrounded by bees constantly would put most anybody on edge.
Isaac is in middle school. His mom has historically kept him isolated from his peers, largely out of fear. But he meets some new people who play a roleplaying game, and finds some kindred spirits.
Beautifully told, lots of great diversity (I could have used a few more fat bodies, but extra points for centering queer folx). Feels more sophisticated in tone than the Juvenile stuff I've seen it compared to. Goes to slightly darker places.
If you need to explain intrusive thoughts to someone, this would be a great thing to hand them.
July 21, 2023
I'm SORRY?! Are you KIDDING?!!?!?!?!
This graphic novel has everything: Mental health/mental illness representation, an excellent visual metaphor of how mental illness affects people, a character arc of a helicopter mom becoming understanding and finally putting her child first, several queer characters (a couple of which were nonbinary!), a TTRPG similar to D&D being a major plot point (and even including condensed character sheets at the end), bee metaphors, an underlying theme of also saving the bees????
This was so good. I absolutely recommend.
This graphic novel has everything: Mental health/mental illness representation, an excellent visual metaphor of how mental illness affects people, a character arc of a helicopter mom becoming understanding and finally putting her child first, several queer characters (a couple of which were nonbinary!), a TTRPG similar to D&D being a major plot point (and even including condensed character sheets at the end), bee metaphors, an underlying theme of also saving the bees????
This was so good. I absolutely recommend.
December 11, 2022
I loved the visual representation of intrusive and obsessive thoughts. It really helps you get in the head of someone with OCD.
August 1, 2023
While I was doing my weekly walk of the 9-12 graphic novels I spotted this one and I'm so happy I picked it up!! The story centers around Isaac who's been recently diagnosed with OCD. He stumbles across a friend group who are starting a campaign of Swamps and Sorcerers (aka D&D) and it brings him so much joy 😄
The way art was used in this to depict Isaac's OCD was absolutely phenomenal!!! It felt like the illustrator, Rye, Hickman, really used the graphic novel form to the fullest to really make you feel and see what Isaac was going through.
I can't recommend this highly enough for people of all ages!!
ps. It makes me so incredibly happy to see all of the great and amazing graphic novels there are for middle school kids!! Although I'll admit I'm a bit jealous I didn't get to read these growing up 🙈
#IndigoEmployee
The way art was used in this to depict Isaac's OCD was absolutely phenomenal!!! It felt like the illustrator, Rye, Hickman, really used the graphic novel form to the fullest to really make you feel and see what Isaac was going through.
I can't recommend this highly enough for people of all ages!!
ps. It makes me so incredibly happy to see all of the great and amazing graphic novels there are for middle school kids!! Although I'll admit I'm a bit jealous I didn't get to read these growing up 🙈
#IndigoEmployee
August 27, 2023
4.25 ⭐️
« Maybe you don’t like them [pensées obsessionnelles] because they don’t represent you as a person » (p. 56)
Cette bande dessinée traite du trouble obsessionnel-compulsif (TOC). Les pensées intrusives du personnage sont représentées par de petites abeilles.
Le TOC est bien représenté, sans tomber dans les images et idées stéréotypées. J’ai bien aimé le fait que l’auteur montre l’impact du trouble obsessionnel-compulsif sur l’entourage du personnage (et surtout l’incompréhension que vivent les personnes qui côtoient quotidiennement une personne atteinte du TOC). Est également abordée l’importance des ami•e•s dans le processus d’acceptation du trouble. À lire si vous voulez comprendre et apprendre.
« Maybe you don’t like them [pensées obsessionnelles] because they don’t represent you as a person » (p. 56)
Cette bande dessinée traite du trouble obsessionnel-compulsif (TOC). Les pensées intrusives du personnage sont représentées par de petites abeilles.
Le TOC est bien représenté, sans tomber dans les images et idées stéréotypées. J’ai bien aimé le fait que l’auteur montre l’impact du trouble obsessionnel-compulsif sur l’entourage du personnage (et surtout l’incompréhension que vivent les personnes qui côtoient quotidiennement une personne atteinte du TOC). Est également abordée l’importance des ami•e•s dans le processus d’acceptation du trouble. À lire si vous voulez comprendre et apprendre.
September 2, 2023
Probably 2.5. I loved the idea of depicting OCD thoughts as bees buzzing around one's head but watching the mom handle the main character's ocd so poorly was really hard to read. And I also hated seeing the sister be so mean (even though she came around in the end) . I don't think it had any helpful insights for ocd (other than to normalize it) but it did have a sweet scene where a very great non binary kid explained what if felt like. It was a mixed bag for me.
January 9, 2024
I was not expecting the TTRPGs in this story of a kiddo with OCD. I wish the nerdiness was more apparent from the start; I think I would’ve been drawn in faster. I liked the hinted romance, sibling growth, and embracing the weird!
July 31, 2023
Sometimes intrusive thought bees can be something so personal-
May 16, 2024
*3.75
"I think what I'm saying is that people like us, who know we're weird? We need to stick together. So that someday... we change what normal means."
This was a vivid, palpable interpretation of living with OCD. I loved how Isaac's intrusive thoughts were portrayed by constantly buzzing bees and how he learns to, as the cover says, "rise above the noise." The friendships and budding romance that Isaac develops were lovely, too, and the sanctum he finds in DnD was so good.
But... his family, ugh. His sister was a right asshole for most of the book, but I liked when she realized how rude she was being and started being a supportive sibling. I understood that she was getting neglected by their mom, so I assumed that the mom was just trying too hard to focus on helping Isaac.
But she WASN'T helping him!! Isaac makes friends and his mom is all "ooh, I don't know." He develops an interest, starts getting excited about things, goes on camping trips, and his mom tries to TAKE IT ALL AWAY because he got a B- on a test!! She's not even TRYING to help her kid; she's just stating whatever she thinks will help without actually LOOKING at how he's doing! "I don't want him to get in a negative space" are you TALKING to him?? He wasn't in a good place before he had friends!!
Ugh, whatever, bad parents really annoy me to an unhealthy degree. The mom does kind of turn a corner at the end, but she doesn't explicitly say "I'm sorry for not being able to tell when you're unhappy" but it worked out, so yay. I just still can't believe she looked at Isaac's friends gathering together to support him and literally said "but is this good for him?" Like do you want your child to fail??
And I'm rambling. 3.75/5 stars; the friendships were most cute!
"I think what I'm saying is that people like us, who know we're weird? We need to stick together. So that someday... we change what normal means."
This was a vivid, palpable interpretation of living with OCD. I loved how Isaac's intrusive thoughts were portrayed by constantly buzzing bees and how he learns to, as the cover says, "rise above the noise." The friendships and budding romance that Isaac develops were lovely, too, and the sanctum he finds in DnD was so good.
But... his family, ugh. His sister was a right asshole for most of the book, but I liked when she realized how rude she was being and started being a supportive sibling. I understood that she was getting neglected by their mom, so I assumed that the mom was just trying too hard to focus on helping Isaac.
But she WASN'T helping him!! Isaac makes friends and his mom is all "ooh, I don't know." He develops an interest, starts getting excited about things, goes on camping trips, and his mom tries to TAKE IT ALL AWAY because he got a B- on a test!! She's not even TRYING to help her kid; she's just stating whatever she thinks will help without actually LOOKING at how he's doing! "I don't want him to get in a negative space" are you TALKING to him?? He wasn't in a good place before he had friends!!
Ugh, whatever, bad parents really annoy me to an unhealthy degree. The mom does kind of turn a corner at the end, but she doesn't explicitly say "I'm sorry for not being able to tell when you're unhappy" but it worked out, so yay. I just still can't believe she looked at Isaac's friends gathering together to support him and literally said "but is this good for him?" Like do you want your child to fail??
And I'm rambling. 3.75/5 stars; the friendships were most cute!
August 14, 2024
Title:
Buzzing
Author: Samuel Sattin
Illustrator: Rye Hickman
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: July 18 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Genuine • Informative • Hopeful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Isaac Itkin can't get away from his thoughts.
As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.
The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn't seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.
But Isaac's therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won't let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I checked Buzzing out at my local library on a whim after my middle school aged niece asked me for some graphic novel recommendations. I honestly didn't know anything about it before I started reading and after finishing I am really surprised I haven't seen this book in more places.
The graphic novel format (the combination of word and graphics) really allowed the portrait of OCD and the idea behind this story to shine. Using the buzzing for bees as a metaphor for the intrusive, obsessive, and unwanted thought was spot on. The familial dynamics and helicopter parenting also felt genuine and relatable. And yet, this story goes deeper and is about friendship, belonging, and learning to trust ourselves despite what our brains may be telling us. It's about finding the people and things that bring comfort and joy into our lives. And not necessarily doing what everyone else is doing if causes us more harm than good.
Overall, Buzzing is definitely a book I'd recommend to middle schoolers and parents alike, especially those with OCD and/or anxiety disorders, but also to those who don't so they can get a better idea of what living with these illnesses can be like and offer more empathy and compassion.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• mental health rep
• stories about finding ones place in the world
⚠️ CW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, ableism, bullying, toxic relationship, body shaming, chronic illness
Author: Samuel Sattin
Illustrator: Rye Hickman
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: July 18 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Genuine • Informative • Hopeful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Isaac Itkin can't get away from his thoughts.
As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts.
The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn't seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter.
But Isaac's therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won't let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I checked Buzzing out at my local library on a whim after my middle school aged niece asked me for some graphic novel recommendations. I honestly didn't know anything about it before I started reading and after finishing I am really surprised I haven't seen this book in more places.
The graphic novel format (the combination of word and graphics) really allowed the portrait of OCD and the idea behind this story to shine. Using the buzzing for bees as a metaphor for the intrusive, obsessive, and unwanted thought was spot on. The familial dynamics and helicopter parenting also felt genuine and relatable. And yet, this story goes deeper and is about friendship, belonging, and learning to trust ourselves despite what our brains may be telling us. It's about finding the people and things that bring comfort and joy into our lives. And not necessarily doing what everyone else is doing if causes us more harm than good.
Overall, Buzzing is definitely a book I'd recommend to middle schoolers and parents alike, especially those with OCD and/or anxiety disorders, but also to those who don't so they can get a better idea of what living with these illnesses can be like and offer more empathy and compassion.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• mental health rep
• stories about finding ones place in the world
⚠️ CW: mental illness, panic attacks/disorders, ableism, bullying, toxic relationship, body shaming, chronic illness
July 28, 2024
a sweet middle grade graphic novel about a kid with ocd/intrusive thoughts finding acceptance and healing through an inclusive new ttrpg friend group. it could’ve been a little more fleshed out, as the mother and sister have pretty sudden turnarounds and there isn’t much in terms of medication or coping techniques. and i’m not a fan of fiction within fiction, so i didn’t care for the fantasy scenes of their game.
content/trigger warnings; ableism, ocd, intrusive thoughts, intrusive images, negative self thoughts, compulsions, physical tics, thoughts of death, absent parent,
rep; isaac (mc) indian and has ocd. micah (sc) is genderqueer (uses they/them pronouns, describes various gender feelings without using labels). queer side characters. side characters of color.
content/trigger warnings; ableism, ocd, intrusive thoughts, intrusive images, negative self thoughts, compulsions, physical tics, thoughts of death, absent parent,
rep; isaac (mc) indian and has ocd. micah (sc) is genderqueer (uses they/them pronouns, describes various gender feelings without using labels). queer side characters. side characters of color.
July 14, 2024
Isaac is a 12-year-old who struggles with OCD. The obtrusive thoughts that he has are represented by buzzing bees. His parents are divorcing-dad is never shown-and his mom is stressed by this and by Isaac’s issues. With all this on her mind she neglects Isaac’s sister, Miriam, whose frustration is evident. Isaac’s talent for drawing draws the attention of a group of kids who invite him to join their tabletop role playing game. Will appeal to fans of Dungeons and Dragons as well as readers who like to read about school and family relationships.
Read
March 6, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
May 23, 2025
3.5/5
May 13, 2023
I’d like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel follows Isaac and how he tries to cope with his OCD, his overbearing mother and older sister. When he finally makes some friends at school who want him to join their role playing game, will he be able to handle it or is this just what the doctor ordered? An interesting story with art to match.
June 16, 2023
Edelweiss+ provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An excellent middle-grade graphic novel about mental health.
Not only does Isaac have to grapple each day with his OCD and a swarm of hurtful inner thoughts, but he has to maneuver through making new friends, an overprotective mother, and a resentful sister.
When his sketches gain the attention of a group of role-playing classmates, Isaac finds himself in a world of fun, fantasy, and comradery...and his swarming OCD thoughts diminish. He finds himself feeling included and accepted...and might even have a crush. His meetings with the school counselor seem to be helping, too.
Unfortunately, his mother feels like gaming could make his condition worse and isn't 100% supportive...and sneaking around just leads to more problems.
I loved both the story and illustrations, particularly how the authors portray Isaac's OCD thoughts (buzzing bees) and how there is a noticeable color theme change when Isaac is happy with his friends.
Definitely purchasing for my school library.
An excellent middle-grade graphic novel about mental health.
Not only does Isaac have to grapple each day with his OCD and a swarm of hurtful inner thoughts, but he has to maneuver through making new friends, an overprotective mother, and a resentful sister.
When his sketches gain the attention of a group of role-playing classmates, Isaac finds himself in a world of fun, fantasy, and comradery...and his swarming OCD thoughts diminish. He finds himself feeling included and accepted...and might even have a crush. His meetings with the school counselor seem to be helping, too.
Unfortunately, his mother feels like gaming could make his condition worse and isn't 100% supportive...and sneaking around just leads to more problems.
I loved both the story and illustrations, particularly how the authors portray Isaac's OCD thoughts (buzzing bees) and how there is a noticeable color theme change when Isaac is happy with his friends.
Definitely purchasing for my school library.
July 3, 2023
A MG graphic novel that will pull at your heartstrings.
🐝
Isaac is a lonely twelve-year-old who is struggling with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Bees swarm around Isaac’s head to symbolize the thoughts that plague him throughout every day. His mother is overprotective about his diagnosis and won’t let him play video games because they can make his OCD worse. When a group of kids ask Isaac to join their role-playing game, he feels a little less lonely and it brightens his life. Unfortunately his grades start to slip and his mother forbids him from continuing. How will Isaac explain how necessary the friends and game are to his piece of mind and quiet the voices in his head?
🐝
I adored this GN by @samuelsattin @ryehickmandraws because it showed the visual representation of what it must be like to live with OCD. So many students struggle with this and will find this title helpful and empowering. This book releases July 18 by @littlebrownink
CW: OCD, mental health issues
🐝
Isaac is a lonely twelve-year-old who is struggling with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Bees swarm around Isaac’s head to symbolize the thoughts that plague him throughout every day. His mother is overprotective about his diagnosis and won’t let him play video games because they can make his OCD worse. When a group of kids ask Isaac to join their role-playing game, he feels a little less lonely and it brightens his life. Unfortunately his grades start to slip and his mother forbids him from continuing. How will Isaac explain how necessary the friends and game are to his piece of mind and quiet the voices in his head?
🐝
I adored this GN by @samuelsattin @ryehickmandraws because it showed the visual representation of what it must be like to live with OCD. So many students struggle with this and will find this title helpful and empowering. This book releases July 18 by @littlebrownink
CW: OCD, mental health issues
August 11, 2023
what a beautiful story that was. i loved the play with the colors and the bees representing the compulsive thoughts. i never knew a graphic novel could be this helpful to learn about a subject I didn't know or barely know about. reading and seeing it on paper really helps put a perspective to the situation.
one of my friends was recently diagnosed with ocd and I wanted to understand her more so when i saw this one at work i had to jump on the occasion. i recommend it to everyone who wants to learn about it, see themselves in it or just wants to find acceptance in their weirdness because, yes it is mostly on ocd but it is also on accepting yourself and others, friendship, adventures and love. 💜
one of my friends was recently diagnosed with ocd and I wanted to understand her more so when i saw this one at work i had to jump on the occasion. i recommend it to everyone who wants to learn about it, see themselves in it or just wants to find acceptance in their weirdness because, yes it is mostly on ocd but it is also on accepting yourself and others, friendship, adventures and love. 💜
August 11, 2023
I normally tear through graphic novels, but something about this book compelled me to slow down. The bee motif really allows the reader to understand how disruptive Isaac’s thoughts can be. I loved the friend group dynamic — very authentic to a group of nerdy teens! Not to mention the masterful coloring Hickman executed. Everything about this graphic novel really hit for me, big recommend!
June 15, 2024
Isaac Itkin, is a 12 year old living with OCD. His intrusive thoughts are illustrated as bees that are always circling around and communicating unkind and unhelpful statements. Through art and the discovery of role playing games, the intrusive thoughts become less loud and the panels change from gray scale to color. Isaac’s mom at first enforces strict boundaries and worries the games will lead to compulsions - but the arc of their relationship will have you tearing up in a good way. A heartfelt book that centers trusting yourself, believing in the goodness of others and oneself, doing things that bring you joy, embracing being different and understanding that we are all unique in a multitude of ways.
March 9, 2024
This was so well done! This is a middle grade novel but I highly encourage adults to read it too.
I loved seeing a character with OCD represented. The way the illustrator represented the intrusive thoughts was brilliant. The illustrator used color in a wonderfully intentional way to reflect different situations throughout the book. This book covered so much: intrusive thoughts, fitting in, making friends, going outside ones comfort zone, and family dynamics.
I appreciated that the author gave us the siblings perspective on what it can feel like to have to take a back seat to a sibling who gets more attention for being different. The mother's character arc was really well done. As a parent, it felt like looking in the mirror at times and that did not feel good. It made me reflect on my own actions and how I want to be. It's such a well executed story backed up by wonderful illustrations.
I loved seeing a character with OCD represented. The way the illustrator represented the intrusive thoughts was brilliant. The illustrator used color in a wonderfully intentional way to reflect different situations throughout the book. This book covered so much: intrusive thoughts, fitting in, making friends, going outside ones comfort zone, and family dynamics.
I appreciated that the author gave us the siblings perspective on what it can feel like to have to take a back seat to a sibling who gets more attention for being different. The mother's character arc was really well done. As a parent, it felt like looking in the mirror at times and that did not feel good. It made me reflect on my own actions and how I want to be. It's such a well executed story backed up by wonderful illustrations.
July 31, 2024
Isaac has OCD, and his intrusive thoughts buzz around him like pesky insects: persistent and inescapable. When he is drawing or playing a roleplaying games with new friends, the buzzing diminishes, but his mom is hesitant to let him venture out of the safe world she's tried to create for her son.
I loved the art in this graphic novel, and I loved the characters. Isaac has some great, supportive friends! I loved seeing the growth in Isaac and his family. Also, I loved the positive representation of different kinds of people and how a Dungeons-and-Dragons-type role-playing game became a means of expression for them.
I read this the same day that I read Living With Viola, another great graphic novel about dealing with mental illness. This one is geared toward teens and Viola is more middle-grade, but both are worth a read.
I loved the art in this graphic novel, and I loved the characters. Isaac has some great, supportive friends! I loved seeing the growth in Isaac and his family. Also, I loved the positive representation of different kinds of people and how a Dungeons-and-Dragons-type role-playing game became a means of expression for them.
I read this the same day that I read Living With Viola, another great graphic novel about dealing with mental illness. This one is geared toward teens and Viola is more middle-grade, but both are worth a read.
February 7, 2025
I really liked the art style, the friend group, the sensible school counselor, the camping trip and surprisingly, I quite enjoyed the TTRPG fantasy scenes sprinkled in throughout the story. Found it hard to read about how wrongly the mom handles her children while trying to be helpful, and I feel like the downward spiral went on for a really long time, only for the mom and sister to come around really quickly and everything to be neatly tied up at the end: I wish there was more gradual development throughout the story.
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