I look up from my mound of notes, mouth agape. Head bent forward, pencil streaming across the page, I am writing and rewriting the formula for glucose as I simultaneously whisper it to myself.
I am feverishly attempting to memorize the molecular formula of a long list of compounds, most of which I have never heard of outside a chemistry textbook. Today, however, her mane provides a convenient wall to hide behind while I study for my upcoming sixth-period chemistry test.
I spend most English classes annoyed with Lauren’s blond, conditioned locks-the way they tumble beautifully across my desk and how they smell like expensive shampoo and roses. In the fourth row, third chair back, I am using Lauren Madison’s hair as a shield to stay out of Ms. Overweight in a way that reminds me pleasantly of my grandmother, with her frizzy, out-of-control hair flying in all directions, she scuttles in between the desks at the front of the room, a ruler raised high in the air as a spear. She pretends to apply mud to her face and body like war paint and crouches down, ready for the hunt. Griffin says, reenacting last night’s assigned reading from Lord of the Flies. This brave memoir tracks Allison’s descent and ultimately hopeful climb out of the depths.
When notebook paper, pencils, and most schoolbooks were declared dangerous to her health, her GPA imploded, along with her plans for the future.įinally, she allowed herself to ask for help and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Her parents questioned her behavior, leading to explosive fights. Unable to act “normal,” the once-popular Allison became an outcast. She had to avoid hair dryers, calculators, cell phones, computers, anything green, bananas, oatmeal, and most of her own clothing. Over the following weeks, her brain listed more dangers and fixes. It started with avoiding sidewalk cracks and quickly grew to counting steps as loudly as possible. Allison believed that she must do something to stop the cancer in her dream from becoming a reality. She was a dedicated student with tons of extracurricular activities, friends, and loving parents at home.īut after awakening from a vivid nightmare in which she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was convinced the dream had been a warning.
Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz lived a comfortable life in an idyllic town. A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder-and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side-in this powerful and inspiring memoir.
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