Lexapros and Cons

Adult author Karo’s (I’m Having More Fun Than You) background as a comedian is evident in his bawdy yet affecting YA debut, about a 17-year-old boy with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Chuck’s rituals include hand-washing and using the color of his Converse high tops as a “little threat level advisory code of my emotions.” His parents push him to see a psychiatrist, but when his doctor prescribes Lexapro, Chuck refuses to take it. He also swears never to tell his crush, Amy, about his OCD, but has to revaluate his choices. Karo offers a solid primer to OCD, including its treatments. Readers may find the book ends too neatly, but Chuck is a funny, honest narrator (his biggest pet peeve: people who claim to “have a little OCD,” which “makes it seems like I’m a drama queen or something. I spent close to two hours last night getting in and out of bed to check the fucking stove and then go pee. That’s the real deal”). Readers will be impressed with Chuck’s bravery in working to solve his problems. Ages 14–up. Agent: Peter McGuigan, Foundry Literary + Media. (Apr.)