The Brave

Collin, a boy with severe OCD, has to count steps and perform counting rituals to keep his loved ones safe. After a life-changing event, he moves from California to live with his mother on the Ojibwe reservation in Minnesota. In his new home, Collin navigates unfamiliar cultural traditions and relationships while struggling with his compulsions. His friendship with a girl named Orenda opens his eyes to different ways of understanding himself and the world around him. The story weaves together themes of identity, belonging, and healing through both Western and Indigenous perspectives. Through Collin's journey, the book explores how courage can take many forms and how different cultural approaches to mental health can exist side by side.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of OCD through the main character Collin and its respectful representation of Native American culture. Many note the emotional impact of Collin's journey and character growth. Readers appreciated: - Educational elements about Ojibwe traditions woven naturally into the story - Realistic depiction of living with OCD - Strong father-son relationship development - Balance of serious themes with humor Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters - Several mentioned the resolution felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (240+ ratings) "The author clearly understands OCD from personal experience - it shows in every detail," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader commented, "My 12-year-old son couldn't put it down and it opened up great conversations about mental health."

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🦅 Author James Bird is a member of the Ojibwe tribe and draws from his Native American heritage to authentically portray Indigenous culture in his writing. 🏠 The book's main character, Collin, struggles with severe OCD, which the author based on his own experiences living with the condition. 📚 The story's setting in the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota is one of the largest Native American reservations in the United States, encompassing over 1,300 square miles. 🌟 Many of the Ojibwe cultural elements in the book, including the practice of smudging and the significance of eagle feathers, are drawn from real traditions that continue today. 💫 The protagonist's journey from counting compulsions to finding strength reflects a common OCD therapy technique called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), where patients gradually face their fears without performing their usual rituals.