Med Head by James Patterson and Hal Friedman

Patterson, James and Hal Friedman Med Head: My Knock-down, Drag-out, Drugged-up Battle with My Brain, 302 p. Little Brown, 2008.  $8.99.  Language: G (2 swears, 2 ‘f’); Violence: G.  Mature Content: PG (very brief, only once). Cory not only has to deal with Tourette’s Syndrome, but he also has severe OCD.  Patterson and Friedman help Cory tell his story from the age of 5 until he enters college. Without become inflammatory or titillating, his life’s highs and lows are laid bare as he looses faith in the medical system and attempts to self-medicate – almost to death.  This memoir is much more accessible and “A Child Called It” and unfortunately touches upon many more students’ lives.  HS – ESSENTIAL; MS – ADVISABLE.  Cynthia M., Library Teacher