OCDaniel by Wesley King follows Daniel Leigh, a teenager with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who struggles with his symptoms and social rejection. Desiring to be “normal,” Daniel's life changes when he befriends Sara Malvern, a selectively mute girl, and they embark on a mission to solve the mystery of her missing father. Through their journey, Daniel learns to embrace his identity and the value of eccentricity. Sensitive topics such as mental health conditions and suicide are present in the book.

OCDaniel by Wesley King has been praised for its authentic portrayal of OCD and mental health, capturing the protagonist's struggles and growth with sensitivity and humor. Critics commend its relatable characters and engaging plot, though some feel the story occasionally lacks depth in exploring secondary characters. Overall, it's a compelling read for young adults.

Readers who enjoyed Wonder by R.J. Palacio or Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper will appreciate OCDaniel by Wesley King. This book is ideal for middle schoolers who are drawn to stories featuring unique main characters dealing with personal challenges, such as mental health, in a relatable and touching way.

Emotional / Mysterious / Challenging / Contemplative / Heartwarming

- Wesley King has described OCDaniel as a semi-autobiographical novel, drawing from his own experiences with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder during his childhood.
- OCDaniel has received critical acclaim, winning the Silver Birch Award in 2017, which is part of Canada's Forest of Reading program.
- The novel is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of mental health, offering an insightful glimpse into the mind of a young protagonist dealing with OCD, a topic not often addressed in middle-grade literature.

Wesley King

Middle grade

Novel

OCDaniel

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Guide

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Teaching Guide

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Overview

Discover the SuperSummary difference with this summary of OCDaniel. King's story of a teen with OCD explores mental health, loneliness, and resilience. 

OCDaniel Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Get ready to explore OCDaniel and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

OCDaniel Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

OCDaniel Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

OCDaniel Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

OCDaniel Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

OCDaniel Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

OCDaniel Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-27 and Author’s Note

OCDaniel Chapters 25-27 and Author’s Note

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Character Analysis

OCDaniel Character Analysis

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Themes

OCDaniel Themes

Symbols & Motifs

OCDaniel Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

OCDaniel Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

OCDaniel Essay Topics

OCDaniel Teaching Materials

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OCDaniel Quiz

How to use

OCDaniel How to use

Pre-Reading Context

OCDaniel Pre-Reading Context

Thought & Response Prompts

OCDaniel Thought & Response Prompts

Paired Texts & Other Resources

OCDaniel Paired Texts & Other Resources

Activity

OCDaniel Activity

Essay Questions

OCDaniel Essay Questions

OCDaniel

Before You Read

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Review Roundup

Who Should Read OCDaniel?

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