Research Guides: Mental Health in Children's and Young Adult Literature: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

"Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions) that interfere with daily life. OCD can affect people of any age, including teens and adults. Although individuals with OCD may know that their thoughts and behavior do not make sense, they are often unable to stop them."

- National Alliance on Mental Illness

Picture Books

Up and Down the Worry Hill by
Aureen Pinto Wagner
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2013
"In this book, Dr. Wagner, an expert in the treatment of childhood OCD, uses the metaphor of the Worry Hill to describe OCD and its treatment clearly and simply through the eyes of a child. Children and adults will identify with Casey's struggle with OCD, his sense of hope when he learns about treatment, his relief that neither he nor his parents are to blame, and eventually, his victory over OCD."

Books for Tweens

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee; Molly Brooks (Illustrator)
Call Number: Y 741 O
Publication Date: 2022
In this graphic novel, Katie comes to better understand her obsessive compulsive disorder during her 6th grade year, when she is also transitioning from homeschool to public school. The author and artist both share their experiences with OCD in notes at the end of the book.
Compulsion by
Heidi Ayarbe
Call Number: Y AYA
Publication Date: 2011
"Poised to lead his high school soccer team to its third straight state championship, seventeen-year-old star player Jake Martin struggles to keep hidden his nearly debilitating obsessive-compulsive disorder."
A Scary Scene in a Scary Movie by
Matt Blackstone
Call Number: Y BLA
Publication Date: 2011
"Rene, a high school freshman with obsessive-compulsive disorder, finds life to be like a scary movie, and even after he makes friends with the ultra-cool Giovanni he still feels responsible for saving his favorite teacher, dealing with his missing father, courting the beautiful Ariel, and trying to pretend to be normal for the school psychologist."
The Someday Birds
by Sally J. Pla
Call Number: Y PLA
Publication Date: 2017
"Charlie, twelve, who has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, must endure a cross-country trip with his siblings and a strange babysitter to visit their father, who will undergo brain surgery."
Finding Perfect by
Elly Swartz
Call Number: Y SWA
Publication Date: 2016
With some help from her siblings and friends, Molly is able to face her OCD and find the courage it takes to get help for it.
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck by
Dawn Huebner
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2007
"Guides children and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This interactive self-help book contains examples, activities, and step-by-step instructions that help children master the skills needed to break free from the sticky thoughts and urges of OCD, and live happier lives."

Books for Teens

History Is All You Left Me by
Adam Silvera
Call Number: Y SIL
Publication Date: 2017
"Secrets are revealed as OCD-afflicted Griffin grieves for his first love, Theo, who died in a drowning accident."
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by
Teresa Toten
Call Number: Y TOT
Publication Date: 2015
Adam not only is trying to understand his OCD, while trying to balance his relationship with his divorced parents, but he's also trying to navigate through the issues that teenagers normally face, namely the perils of young love.
The Butterfly Clues by
Kate Ellison
Call Number: Y ELL
Publication Date: 2012
"Having experienced compulsive behavior all her life, Lo's symptoms are getting her into trouble when she witnesses a murder while wandering dangerous quarters of Cleveland, Ohio, collecting things that do not belong to her, obsessing about her brother's death."
Ball Don't Lie by
Matt De la Peña
Call Number: Y LAP
Publication Date: 2005
Seventeen-year-old Sticky, who has obsessive-compulsive tendencies, lives for basketball and plays at school and at the Lincoln Rec Center in Los Angeles but he is unaware of the many dangers--including his own past--that threaten his dream of playing professionally.
Under Rose-Tainted Skies by
Louise Gornall
Call Number: Y GOR
Publication Date: 2017
"Will teenaged Norah, who is struggling with agoraphobia and OCD, accept that she could be the right one for sweet, funny Luke?"
Every Last Word by
Tamara Ireland Stone
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2015
"Consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can't turn off, a girl coping with Purely-Obsessional OCD learns to accept herself and take control of her life through her experiences in poetry club."
Don't Touch by
Rachel M. Wilson
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2014
"16-year-old Caddie struggles with OCD, anxiety, and a powerful fear of touching another person's skin, which threatens her dreams of being an actress--until the boy playing Hamlet opposite her Ophelia gives her a reason to overcome her fears."
OCD Love Story by
Corey Ann Haydu
Call Number: Not in our collection.
Publication Date: 2013
"In an instant, Bea felt almost normal with Beck, and as if she could fall in love again, but things change when the psychotherapist who has been helping her deal with past romantic relationships puts her in a group with Beck--a group for teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder."

Mental Health in Children's and Young Adult Literature

About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Picture Books

Books for Tweens

Books for Teens

More Resources