The Brave by James Bird

 

Collin can't help himself, in his mind he visualizes every word said to him and is compelled to count every letter. School is impossible and his single father can't cope. He doesn't know much about his mother until he is kicked out of another school and his dad sends him to Minnesota where his mother is Ojibwe and lives on a reservation. Collin and his loyal dog, Seven, finds his mom is eager to welcome him and accept his condition. He also meets the girl next door who lives in a treehouse and believes she is turning into a butterfly. Together they work to overcome his condition, and, as Collin gradually discovers, deal with Orenda's terminal illness.