Buzzing: A Graphic Novel

Isaac is a lonely kid who struggles with intrusive thoughts as a result of his OCD. But when he meets some new friends, and they bond over their favourite game, he starts to learn to navigate his mental illness and explore his identity while learning to become more independent. This graphic novel thoughtfully connects words with images and may help readers relate to the diverse characters’ experiences. In a middle-grade classroom, students may be encouraged to role-play situations inspired by the themes in the story and practice overcoming negative thoughts and learn to express themselves confidently. The book also lends itself well to promoting narrative writing activities and class discussions to share personal experiences and knowledge and deepen students' understanding of self, community, and the world. Teachers could also use the novel to segue into research projects about medical disorders.