Compulsion

Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe. Published by Harper & Collins, 2011.

Jake is convinced that his family is safe because he follows routines and makes sure that the numbers are good (prime numbers). He constantly adds and subtracts in his head (clock radio, time, date, etc.) and waits or begins his rituals all over again until the numbers work out.

Jake has a lot on his plate. His mother stays in bed most of the day and his father seems overwhelmed. He tries to help his younger sister Kasey, who is very insecure. He is an important member of the soccer team and believes that their success depends on the “magic” numbers also.

Pressure keeps building for Jake. With the most important game of the season (and the last one of his high school career) just a few days away, Jake is trying to hold everything together. His compulsions are incapacitating him. Does Kasey suffer from the same OCD issues? He can’t keep everyone safe.