All the Things That Could Go Wrong

Alex has OCD.  His hands are cracked and sore from compulsive hand-washing, and his rituals make it difficult for him to leave the house.  His behaviour, and the fact that he has to wear gloves to protect his hands, make him a target for bullying at his new secondary school.  The bullying is nasty; intimidating and degrading.   Although popular student Dan doesn’t really want to join in, he is feeling angry and confused due to problems at home, and he finds he can’t stop himself.

The story is told through the two boys’ points of view, presented in alternate chapters. The first thing we read from Alex is his List of Worries.  Writing out ‘all the things that can go wrong’ is one of the coping mechanisms suggested by his psychologist.  This gives us a great insight into how Alex thinks and feels, and it’s impressive how he manages to keep going, with all the anxiety he faces every day.  At the same time, Dan is struggling with his feelings, missing his brother Ben who has been sent to a detention centre after getting into serious trouble with the police.  He writes to Ben frequently, and gets to visit him at the centre, where he finds his brother subdued and intimidated by his environment.

Dan and Alex’s mothers know each other and suggest that the boys spend time together in the holidays.  Although initially horrified, they can’t get out of it, and Alex has to spend afternoons and days at Dan’s workshop near the beach, where they build a raft designed by Ben.  Gradually they get to know each other, and the story races to a satisfying conclusion.

This is an exceptionally good novel showing the importance of understanding differences and accepting people as they are.   It highlights the acute misery caused by bullying, and helps young people empathise with those dealing with difficult issues.  Both characters are sympathetically portrayed. Dan is likeable and we can see why he behaves as he does, even if we can’t condone it.  Alex is especially endearing, and his courage in trying to stop a tragedy from happening makes him a true hero.