FOCUSED
Written by Alyson Gerber
Young Adult (ages 12 & up) • 304 pages
Scholastic Press • 2019
ISBN 978-1-33853-167-1
Seventh-grader Clea just can’t seem to get it together. She is failing subjects that she used to be good at, she keeps blurting out inappropriate comments, and her parents are threatening to make her quit the chess team. On top of that, her best friend Red is starting to hang out with Dylan, a boy Clea can’t stand. Life is tough. And now, Clea’s parents want to take her to see a doctor to get her diagnosed for ADHD! Everyone is going to think she is so dumb.
Focused offers a thought-provoking window into the mind of a middle schooler suffering with undiagnosed ADHD. Clea’s world is full of noises and colors and smells—all aptly described by Gerber. These distractions overwhelm Clea and cause her to struggle in school and with her personal relationships. No wonder she gets so distracted and falls behind!
Gerber carefully details how ADHD can create havoc for the one diagnosed and her family alike. The scenes at Dr. Gold’s office are particularly observant, exploring how Clea resents the diagnosis and how Clea’s parents are desperate for answers. After the diagnosis is made and a learning plan is implemented, more details about Clea’s reactions, physically and mentally, to her new medication are also thoughtfully observed. It is clear that while there is no quick fix for ADHD, a combination of approaches can make for great improvements.
Focused would fit well in a middle school classroom, and especially resonate with children who have (or who have friends or siblings with) ADHD. It’s also a powerful read for anyone who is trying to understand the emotions a child encounters when being diagnosed. Gerber creates a realistic seventh grade world, complete with best friends, school bullies, and a sweet little sister—a universal world that will ring true for most middle schoolers, with or without ADHD.
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Reviewed by: Sarah Orgill