The Goldfish Boy

The Goldfish Boy tells the story of Matthew, a twelve-year-old boy who hasn’t left his house in weeks because of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He spends his days observing his neighbors from his bedroom window — until one day, a toddler named Teddy disappears, and Matthew might be the only one who saw what happened.

Through this mystery, the novel explores themes of anxiety, isolation, empathy, and courage, showing how friendship and understanding can help overcome personal fears. Lisa Thompson delivers a heartfelt and suspenseful story that encourages readers to see the world through the eyes of someone struggling with OCD.

Written in accessible language, this book helps children and adults alike to understand mental health issues in a sensitive way.
Suitable for upper primary to early teens (ages 10–14).
Does not contain LGBT content.