Is the OCD content too graphic for an anxious kid?

He’s very descriptive about his fear of germs and his need for rituals. If your kid is currently struggling with severe OCD, reading about someone else's compulsions could be 'sticky' for them. Use your judgment on their current state of mind.

Does it have a lot of 'showbiz' gossip?

There are plenty of anecdotes about his career, but they're usually tied back to how his OCD or ADHD affected his work. It’s less about 'who he met' and more about 'how he survived' the situation.

Is the language appropriate for a middle schooler?

It’s written for adults, so there’s some mild profanity and mature themes regarding marriage and the industry. It’s fine for most 13-year-olds, but it’s not a 'kids' book.

Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2010Biography & Autobiography

82%

WISE Score

Howie Mandel turns his intense germophobia and ADHD into a frantic, funny, and surprisingly vulnerable survival guide for anyone whose brain won't stay still.

Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me

book

2010, Biography & Autobiography

82%

WISE Score

Howie Mandel turns his intense germophobia and ADHD into a frantic, funny, and surprisingly vulnerable survival guide for anyone whose brain won't stay still.

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Where to Read

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Screenwise Verdict

Howie Mandel's memoir is a frantic, high-energy, and deeply human look at what happens when your brain's 'deal' includes a heavy dose of OCD and ADHD. It’s not a clinical guide; it’s a comedian telling you exactly how messy and hilarious the struggle can be.

If you have a kid who feels 'broken' because they can't sit still or they're obsessed with specific routines, this book is a loud, funny signal that they can still build a massive, successful life. It's a bit dated now—published back in 2010—but the core message about mental health resilience hasn't aged a day.

Age Fit

Best for teens (14+) and adults. While the language is mostly fine for younger readers, the nuances of adult ADHD and the complexities of a long-term marriage and career make it most relevant to the high school crowd and beyond.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Mandel is surprisingly vulnerable about how his mental health struggles impacted his role as a husband and father. It models the kind of honesty about personal 'dark places' that is usually missing from celebrity memoirs.

Imaginative

While it follows a standard memoir structure, Mandel's ability to find 'comic inspiration' in the rigid structures of OCD and the chaos of ADHD shows a high degree of creative resilience.

Safe

It is a book for adults, so expect some mature language and honest talk about marital stress. There is no graphic violence or sexual content, just the 'no-holds-barred' reality of a life in show business.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in destigmatizing neurodivergence. For a kid or teen struggling with similar labels, seeing a household name explain the grit behind the 'germophobia' is incredibly validating.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Real-world representation of OCD and ADHD that goes way beyond the 'quirky' stereotypes often seen in movies.
Genuinely funny anecdotes from a long career in stand-up and television that keep the heavier mental health topics from feeling like a lecture.
Validation for neurodivergent kids who might see their own struggles reflected in a high-achieving, successful adult.

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What to Watch For

Intense anxiety descriptions might be a bit much for a kid currently in the thick of their own OCD spiral; it's honest about the 'darkest places.'
Showbiz 'no-holds-barred' tone means you should expect some adult language and frank talk about the pressures of fame and family.

Conversation Starters

"Howie talks about his 'germophobia'—how do you think humor helps him deal with things that feel scary or out of his control?"
"He mentions being a 'father of three' while managing these challenges. How does that change your perspective on what 'normal' parenting looks like?"
"Why do you think it took him so long to talk publicly about his ADHD after already being famous?"

Deep Dive

The germophobia context

Reading this in 2026 feels different than it did in 2010. We've all lived through a global obsession with hand sanitizer and personal space, which makes Howie's once-'eccentric' behavior feel a lot more relatable. He was the guy who wouldn't shake hands on Deal or No Deal long before the rest of the world caught up. This book explains the why behind the fist-bump.

ADHD before it was a trend

Mandel's discussion of adult ADHD is particularly sharp. He doesn't treat it like a superpower or a tragedy; he treats it like a condition that requires constant management. For parents of kids who feel 'too much,' his stories about his rise through the show-business ranks show that high energy can be channeled, even if the path is chaotic.

A family-first memoir

Unlike many celebrity books that focus purely on the 'me' in memoir, Mandel spends a significant amount of time on his role as a son, husband, and father. He’s honest about the strain his conditions put on his loved ones. It’s a rare, grounded take on fame that reminds the reader that even the guy with the shiny bald head and the briefcase show has to go home and deal with the same brain he had when he was a kid.

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Howie Mandel: The ADHD Role Model With a 'Cursed' Digital Feed

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