‘Forget Me Not‘ is a middle grade novel by Ellie Terry. This follows the journey of a young girl – Calliope June – who has Tourette Syndrome, and her sometimes-friend Jinsong.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder (meaning it involves the brain). People with Tourette syndrome have tics, which are repetitive actions that they cannot control. A person feels like they have to act out the tic, and he/she feels relieved after it has been done. There are two kinds of tics:
Motor tics (involuntary or unwanted movements). For example:
- Blinking
- Facial grimacing
- Shoulder shrugging
- Head jerking
- Clapping
Vocal tics (involuntary or unwanted sounds). For example:
- sniffing
- grunting
- barking
- throat clearing
Tourette Syndrome is a disorder that starts in childhood. Tics can show up as early as 6 years of age. Tics get more frequent and severe over time. Children will usually have their worst symptoms between ages 10 and 12 – which is a very vulnerable time.
Managing Tics
For about two thirds of children with Tourette syndrome, their tics will improve or resolve completely during their teenage years. There is a smaller group who will have tics continuing through to adulthood.
Most tics are mild and don’t need treatment. If tics are very problematic or interfering with daily life, there are some medications that can help reduce their severity. Some behavioral techniques can also help to make things more manageable. None of these are complete cures, though
It’s What You Don’t Do
What exactly is a sometimes-friend?
A sometimes-friend is a friend only when it is convenient. ‘Forget Me Not’ has a second main character, Jinsong, Calliope’s neighbor and classmate. Calliope’s tics make her a target of bullying at school, and Jinsong knows that being her friend will likely come with a price to pay, socially speaking (middle school is …complicated).
Several chapters in the book are written from Jinsong’s perspective – so we get to experience his internal struggle firsthand. Though he initially comforts himself with the fact that he is not personally bullying Cally, eventually he has to make a choice – is he going to remain a sometimes-friend, or will he graduate to an always-friend?
This book has a great message for kids: Don’t be a bystander to bullying. Not standing up for someone can be just as hurtful – if not more – than outright bullying.
Resources:
Tourette Association of America – a national organization that works to ‘raise awareness, advance research, and provide ongoing support to patients and families impacted by Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders.’
Want to check out some other children’s books that feature characters with health conditions? Take a look at our bookshelf!
