Focused

A fantastic and relatable read for my grade 6 child living with an ADHD diagnosis. I will share this book with everyone including counsellors offering ADHD support and my child’s school. An excellent way for tweens to see they’re not alone. The emotions, stressors, relationship woes, highlights, good days, bad days, determination, victories and support that the main character experiences makes for a very realistic view of everyday life. This book leaves parents and their tween feeling encouraged!

This story reminded me of an after school special. Remember those? A girl begins middle school and finds that coping with all of the papers and responsibility of a large school become overwhelming. Her friendships are suffering and her grades are suffering as well. She is referred to a specialist who assesses her. The book is very good about explaining the process of assessment and then explaining the way a brain processes with ADD. The girl is guided by counselors onto how to organize and plan. She is also given medication. The storyline is a little bland in my opinion. The facts are very informational about ADD and what it may be like to struggle with it. I think the characters are relatable and the there is enough story there to make it a good read. It's a must-read if you child has been diagnosed. Educators of kids about 9 to 14 should keep this book in their classroom. The book is clear on ADD not being a one size fits all diagnosis and that there are many different ways to go about coping with it. There is no sex, profanity, drugs so it is very classroom friendly. I have ADD myself and I wish I had a book like this when I was younger. I also wish we had the research when I was younger. Glad to have purchased this!

Daughter reports she couldn't put it down. Say's it is an authentic representation of how she feels and thinks, well worth reading.

Great story! Gave me a much better understanding of the frustrations my child deals with on a daily basis.

I love this book. As a teacher with a student who struggles like the character in the book, it has helped me to see things from her eyes and be more of a help to her.