The cover makes this middle grade novel appear like a story of two friends on an adventure. Partially true, but DOUBLE FELIX is more an adventure of discovery and understanding, especially for the main character. He has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Here’s the background from Kane Miller Books:

Eleven-year-old Felix Twain’s life revolves around the number two. He skips every second step when he takes the stairs, taps door handles twice and positions objects in pairs. The problem has become so bad that Felix is on the verge of being expelled from school because the principal has had enough of trying to run the school around his very specific rules.

Then Charlie Pye arrives and turns Felix’s world upside down. She’s grown up with very few rules. She eats cereal for lunch, calls a boat home, and has a very loose interpretation of school uniform. The question is, can Felix ever learn to be wrong when he is so obsessed with being right?

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Almost everything eleven-year-old Felix does is controlled by Basil, a voice in his head. Felix either does as told or believes bad things will happen. Being around Felix is challenging for his parents (his mom is pregnant with child #5), three siblings, and teachers. You witness his behavior from page one as Felix has locked himself in the Principal’s office and is doing some needed redecoration, making things much more even in appearance.

Narrated by Felix, the tale supplies readers with empathy for his condition. This would make a fantastic read-aloud in the classroom or at home. A beautiful story to enjoy and share.

FIVE THINGS THAT SHINE ABOUT

DOUBLE FELIX by Sally Harris

1. No odd numbers for Felix. The chapters are presented  in even order, beginning with chapter two. As the plot unfolds, keep an eye out for any changes.
2. Charlie Pye has a huge problem of her own but she provides Felix with something he has never had before: friendship. It’s an uneasy type of friendship, but one that shines a heartwarming message.
3. Great secondary characters. Life is tricky but when you have a supportive family along with people at school like Miss Claudette, the librarian and Hugo, a counselor, the road might not be so rough.
4. The illustrations are nicely balanced with the text, appearing every few pages. They let you into Felix’s world in a visual way.
5. The almost 200 pages is an impressive effort that will help teachers and student understand.

FAVORITE LINES

“You can’t just go around shouting at teachers and locking yourself  in principal’s offices, you know, Felix,” he continues. “You need to start controlling your temper. You can’t just get mad at everyone who doesn’t do what you want. People don’t like it if you’re angry with them all the time.”

“There are just some things that have to be done the right way and sometimes other people don’t understand how to do them properly,” I tell Dad. “I don’t like it when things aren’t done right. It makes me feel all funny inside.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, SALLY HARRIS

School Teacher. Mama. Creative sort. Coffee drinker. Dog wrangler. Expert mess maker. Writer of books for children (and adults with impeccable taste!)

(For more visit Sally’s author website)

Comments are welcome below.

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There is still time to enter the huge giveaway offered here last Wednesday for Explorer Academy: The Double Helix Book Blast. Read my post and find out how to enter.

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