Finding Perfect – Korean Edition
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 Slam Poetry Contest. The winner is honored at a fancy banquet with table cloths. Molly’s sure her mother would never miss that. Right…?
But as time goes on, 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.
I was humbled and grateful that Finding Perfect was selected as the all-school read for the Cape Elizabeth Middle School’s Mental Health Initiative, “You Will Be Found…@CEMS.” The hope was that the shared experience of this book would start conversations that would begin to break down stereotypes and stigmas surrounding mental health. And it succeeded! Each chapter was read and recorded by authors, teachers, Olympians, community members, students and me. And shared over the loud speaker each morning. This initiative culminated in a very moving and incredible special school visit. If you are interested in using one of my books as your all-school read, just reach out.
State Awards:
Voted Best Middle Grade Novel 2016/17:
Mental Health:
Amazing Girls:
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.
Readers will laugh and commiserate and root for Frankie all the way.
With middle school friendships and family relationships at its heart, this novel offers an empathetic guide to coping with a mental health issue. VERDICT 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.
With intense and insightful depictions of Molly’s thoughts and subsequent actions, Swartz renders Molly’s decline into full-blown OCD visceral and sympathetic…. This is a powerful but not overpowering novel, informing audiences about OCD with tact and acceptance through an accessible and relateable cast of characters…. This is one for preteens struggling with the desire for perfection in this imperfect life.
First-time author Swartz creates a clear, moving portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder through the authentic voice of middle schooler Molly Nathans.
..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.
Finding Perfect deals with the issue of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. A thorough resource list is provided at the end of the book. For other books dealing with issues and challenges often tackled in bibliotheraphy, feel free to explore the Bibliotherapy Book list compiled by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Kari Anne Holt, Anne Nesbet, Erin Moulton, Paul Hankins and me for our 2016 NCTE panel.
Elly Swartz stops by the All the Wonders podcast to talk to Matthew Winner about listening to her characters, listening to her heart, and following your dream. Listen to the Podcast below.
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