This was a very effective portrait of OCD and how it can manifest and affect someone. I do wish it had more of an overarching narrative, though there were some throughlines with friends. The puzzle motif and extended metaphor appears throughout the artwork in effective ways.

Pan experiences the symptoms of OCD from a young age and only after becoming an adult, he sought for help on maintaining his impulsive behavior. Not knowing what he had, he described his process as something that was embarrassing to talk about, being afraid that he would be seen as different and rejected by society. He went towards calling himself crazy or even thought that the devil is in him. But after a random night of researching, he found out that what he had is actually a mental disorder and not because he was crazy or had the devil in him. Finding reassurances with peers around him on theories he had inside his head, he knew this wasn’t a permanent solution and finally sought help with a professional.

I love that the author chose to write this kind of book because it’s really hard to even talk about mental disorders, especially in adolescence where bullying is prone to happen. It’s also enlightening to read through the process and be able to experience the process of what one goes through with OCD so that there’s understanding of why things happen or why they say certain things.

Thank you to NetGallery for providing me an advanced copy for review!

"Puzzled" offers a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into the challenges of growing up with undiagnosed OCD. Pan Cooke's graphic-novel memoir navigates the maze of anxious thoughts and exhausting rituals with candid honesty. Through his experiences, readers gain insight into the complexities of OCD and the importance of self-empathy and understanding. Cooke's storytelling is both funny and poignant, making "Puzzled" a compelling read that sheds light on a misunderstood condition.

Puzzled is a much needed addition to the world of YA Graphic Novels. Puzzled explores what its like to be a kid/teen with OCD and how hard it can be to find help and a diagnosis. Teens will be able to relate to this book on many levels whether they have OCD or know someone who does. Great addition to all YA Graphic Novel collections.

An vulnerable look at the difficult realities of a disorder carelessly claimed as a personality quirk far too often.

Pan opens a window into the experience of his childhood and teenage years growing up with an undiagnosed condition that disrupted his life. He shares about the niggling feeling of wrongness that bloomed into the obsessive repetition of behaviors in an attempt to assuage it.

The story is a relatable one of a kid facing all the usual growing pains, but with an added layer of disconnection from peers. The art is colorful and easy to quickly parse.

This book is such an important one in terms of awareness - both for those who may have undiagnosed OCD and see themselves in these pages, and for those who misuse the term OCD without recognizing the reality of living with it.

This was a fascinating look at OCD. I think that it gives people who don't understand OCD a window into how hard it is to deal with. I hope that kids or teens with OCD find this book and can know that they're not alone.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Young Readers Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This will be a good GN to add to the middle school collection! It's nothing too complicated, almost a bit too easy at times, but does a great job of breaking down the fundamentals of OCD. The art is simple but effective, and I appreciate the number of examples that are used to help the reader, young and old, understand the difficulty of dealing with OCD.

What a unique middle grade graphic novel. Puzzled does an amazing job of showing what having OCD can feel like and what can go on in the kind of someone with that disorder. Pan is so vulnerable, kind and genuine and his struggles feel relatable even if you don’t have OCD. This autobiographical work is very touching and honest and is unlike any graphic novel I have ever read.

I highly enjoyed this memoir and as someone who also has OCD I found the representation of the symptoms to really resonate and represent the struggles so many face with this mentall illness very well. It also tackled a lot of the misconceptions others have about OCD, how it inhibits diagnosis and treatment, and how that can harm the people who deal with it. I found the art style/coloring to be very easy for my eyes to digest and follow. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this artist/author.

A really good look at what OCD looks like and in general how growing up can look when you are different than every one and don't know how you fit in. I wish there had been more content with his family and their support and more after seeking help, but overall good.

I thought this was a moving memoir that is really important to have, especially for readers who need it! It will definitely pair well with the graphic novel Buzzing.

This was amazing! A very good intro/memoir into (undiagnosed) OCD and debunks common misconceptions. I enjoyed every bit of this book.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for letting me read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!

*Note: I rated this book on the non-fiction version of the CAWPILE system, since it is a memoir.

Puzzled
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall

Credibility/Research - 6
Since the book is from and about Cooke's own experiences, there is much credibility in this book. I do think there could have been more of an explanation of what OCD is - the information provided felt fairly surface-level. However, I understand that the book is not trying to be super scientific, so I get that it might not have fit the tone as well.

Authenticity/Uniqueness - 7
The book was certainly authentic and had a clear focus. However, it didn't feel super unique or original. While it's true that there aren't many accurate books about OCD on the market today, that felt like the only uniqueness point I could really give this book.

Writing - 7
The writing was fine, if a bit bland at times. I enjoyed the extended metaphor of the puzzle throughout the book and the perspective of the different manifestations of OCD symptoms.

Personal Impact - 6
I was glad to have learned more about OCD from this book, but this didn't have a big personal impact for me otherwise. However, I think this book will likely have a bigger impact for those who have OCD as they can see similar experiences reflected back to them in a likeable and heartfelt story.

Intrigue - 7
I was intrigued by the description and cover of this book. I was interested to learn more about OCD and I think I came away with some new insights after reading this story.

Logic/Informativeness - 7
The story that was told and the conclusions drawn seemed logical. This book was fairly informative about what experiences with OCD can look like.

Enjoyment - 6
I enjoyed learning about Cooke's journey to learning about, managing, and accepting his OCD. :)

Graphic memoirs are truly one of my favorite and this just proves why. It gives such great information in a very clear and interesting way that keeps your attention and will keep the attention of people of so many ages. It may be a "juvenile" book, but it truly is for everyone to read about and learn a little more.

There's a lot to like about this graphic memoir, which presents OCD in an approachable way that will resonate with kids (and adults) who have it as well as those who don't. I think it's a bit mature for my elementary-age patrons -- though I'd certainly give it to an individual kid here and there, my feeling is that it belongs more solidly and would get more use in a middle or even high school collection. Other school librarian's mileage may vary, however! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I didn’t know how much Catholicism there would be in it, but I do appreciate the representation of OCD in childhood, not very common in middle grade books, and certainly my first in graphic format.

Pan Cooke's Puzzled offers a unique perspective on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through their personal journey. Cooke's ability to articulate the often-confusing experiences of OCD is a strength of the book, making it relatable to readers who haven't directly encountered the condition.

However, the book could be further enhanced by delving deeper into Cooke's experience with OCD therapy. As readers seeking to understand different experiences, witnessing the therapeutic journey firsthand would have been valuable. Including details about the challenges and triumphs of therapy could provide readers with practical takeaways and a sense of hope for managing OCD.

Overall, Puzzled effectively sheds light on the complexities of OCD.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pan's honesty in experiencing and finally getting help with his OCD will no doubt help many young people struggling with the same thing. The graphic novel format is perfect and is sure to hook many readers. This is a book that should be in every middle school class library. I will definitely be adding it to mine.

This was such an insightful and powerful memoir. It takes the experience and makes it feel so understandable, without feeling like its overdramatic. I felt seen, and this might be the first piece of OCD related media that didn't feel like it misunderstood what the thing actually is.

I would have appreciated knowing how heavily religious the context of this is, as I wouldn't have requested it if I'd known. The art is also stodgy and pretty boring, not adding much to the story, particularly with the lack of backgrounds and detail. There's so much more that could have been done visually with the puzzle piece metaphor.