Monday, May 18, 2009

Waiting for Normal By Leslie Connor



Author: Leslie Connor
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
ISBN: 0060890886
Released on Feb 5, 2008


Summary:
This book is about a 12 year old girl named Addie who lives with an unfit mother known as Mommers and longs to be with her stepfather Dwight and her two half sisters Brynna and Katie. Upon moving to a new town with her mother, Addie tries really hard to cover-up Mommers neglect and befriends many town folk especially a lady at the corner store. Addie does a lot of growing up due to her mother’s absence and experiences a loss of a friend and devastation when her trailer home burns down.

Assessment:
I liked this book. I felt the story was well written and you are able to connect with Addie early. I felt the story presented many real life situations that many readers could understand. For example, Addie and her friend Helena deal with transitions from girls to young ladies (puberty) and Addie’s battle with dyslexia and how she views herself as not being smart because of this. You really feel for Addie and are really happy to see Soula, the corner store owner, takes care of Addie when her mother leaves her for days on end. However, I was crushed when Soula died at the end from her battle with breast cancer! The sadness from Soula’s death was lifted when Addie was finally able to get her happy ending when she was able to live with her stepfather Dwight and two half sisters. This is one of those books that really makes you think and tugs at your heart while reading.

Potential Use:
This book would be a good one to use in a reading club. Since this book deals with many real life issues this would be a good book for young/teenage readers to read. I feel that this book could be used as a tool to get kids to possibly open up about similar situations they may have experienced or seen.

Reader Appeal:
This book would appeal to pre-teen/teenage girls. Due to the life skills presented in this book, I feel this could be appealing to adults also. The characters in this book really mimic real life which I feel can draw anyone into reading this book. Good book!

Other Information:
Awards for this book:
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults, School Library Journal Best Book, Texas Lone Star Reading List, ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Notable Children’s Book and Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice Award. http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060890889/Waiting_for_Normal/index.aspx

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