Buzzing is more of a 3.5 as an averaged out score than either a 3 or a 4. I enjoyed seeing the changes in the illustrations to show the emotions, feelings, and how our main character is reacting. This is clever and a unique way of helping us see the situation. However, I never felt any one character was overly fleshed out and none felt “real” and more of a bit of a cliché. At the same time there are a lot of good pieces and they do come together well. It is a solid reading experience.
We have Isaac, a boy who has been diagnosed with OCD. His thoughts are represented by images of bees buzzing around his head. His thoughts and feelings practically cripple him. At the same time, his mother is overly protective of him, with the Rules of Dos and Don’ts as if not only Isaac’s health depended on it, but the world, too. And then there is his sister who feels invisible now so much focus is on Isaac. With various outside voices as well (multiple doctors and therapists, his sister, her friends, and the kids at school) Isaac is constantly disorganized and in constant fear. That is until he meets some kids involved in a D&D like game that need “one more” to join, but also knows he’ll be the best fit, as he seems like he’d be a cool guy to get to know. That is if his mom lets him.
This mixture of “the real world” vs. “the fantasy world”’ has been seen before, but not exactly with the added piece of OCD or at least Isaac’s type. His obsessions can be downright, well, obsessive. And the idea of these other “misfits” (a girl who speaks as if she is old-timey, her laid back twin, a non-binary kid and others) teach us the only “normal” is the normal we have when we are with people who “get us.”
Samuel Sattin’s book is a bit idealistic, but this is what makes it work. It is relatable, sweet, and gives us a “Happily Ever After” without sugar coating it. And Rye Hickman’s illustrations know how to add details and the use of color to really move the story along. The art is the stronger part of things for me. The use of colors shows the “bad moments” or the “good moments” that Isaac deals with. They show how his mind can be confused or called, and this happens with details as well. Such as if things are going out of control, the Bees/Thoughts can overflow and fill the page, blocking everything and anything out. And when they are with their new classmates/friends (or later a second gamer group) how bright, colorful, calming things are.
Overall, this is a good book, works well with a modern audience about ages 10 to 13/young 14.