Define Normal

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Summary: Define "Normal" is not just a normal book, it's fantastic!
Review: -Define "Normal", by Julie Anne Peters is an amazing book. When I first saw the cover, which has a picture of a "punk" and a "preppie" as the book labels them, I thought that this book was going to be about how different the groups are in high school and in life, but as I read further, I found that this was not the case.
-Antonia Dillion is not exactly thrilled when her teacher tells her that she will be peer counseling Jazz Luther, one of the biggest punks in school, but in spite of their differences Antonia is able to help with Jazz's problems. Besides having to deal with Jazz's problems, she must deal with her own problems at home. Her mother is chronically depressed. Her two younger brothers depend on her for everything. She begins to fail in school, and the only things she looks forward to are the peer counseling sessions every Tuesday. As she and Jazz begin to relate to each other, Antonia realizes that they are not that different. They both have problems of their own, and they both need help in solving them. Through their sessions and a little time outside of school, they learn to cope with their troubles and their lives.
-I was not sure what to think about this book when looking at its cover and by reading the information on the back of the book. I chose this book on a recommendation from a friend. She was greatly pleased with the book, just as I am. After hearing the problems of Jazz and Antonia, I was dumbstruck, realizing how fortunate I am. Jazz's hatred of her mother and Antonia's denial did make the book interesting. As I have already said, I thought this book would talk about people's differences, but instead it focused on their similarities.
-I have learned some valuable lessons from this book's message, specifically about judging a book by its cover. No pun intended. I have seen many rough-looking people and avoided eye contact because of their appearance, but I have now learned that individuals are not always what they seem on the outside. I have also learned that individuality is sacred, and a person should not try to look like one of the crowd. One should be one's self.
-In conclusion, Define "Normal" has taught me to appreciate what I have, and how sacred one's appearance and individuality can be. There is no one definition of normal. It is just how you personally portray normal, and that is all that matters.

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Summary: "Bode" characters will grow on you
Review: A punk and a priss make unlikely friends through a school peer counseling program. Antonia, a straight A student from a broken home, is stunned to discover that tattooed Jazz has musical aptitude when she hears her play classical piano piece. As the novel progresses, Antonia learns that appearances can be deceiving, and one shouldn't judge a person on how s/he looks. Antonia slowly confides in Jazz about her mom's incapability to care for her children, and her dad's desertion, and Jazz reveals her conflicts with her parents over her dress, friends, and attitude. The two, each thinking they are counseling the other, don't solve one another's problems, but sometimes a sympathetic listening ear is enough. The happy ending is a bit too perfect, but satisfying with the loose ends wrapped up. Unlike The Breakfast Club, Antonia and Jazz will probably continue to be friends even though the counseling sessions are over with.
Although the book starts out with stereotypes, Peters fights to break them done by creating protagonists who are complex teens who challenge convention. The girls are overly accepting and open-minded for most middle schoolers. Teachers, siblings, and parents are not very fleshed out. Humor helps diffuse the tension of many scenes. The teen slang seems to be invented for the novel -- are there kids who really say "bode" for cool? The cover clearly shows the extremes of the two characters, and the excerpt on the back illustrates their dialogue with each speaking in a different color. This simple problem novel for middle schoolers will probably circulate well; try Margaret Peterson Haddix's Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey for a more complex and realistic look at the issue of parental abandonment.

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Summary: Vice Principal wants every teacher to read it
Review: A reviewer isn't all that impressed, calling the subject matter "well trod"--so what? Students and teachers alike find this book true and meaningful, and one of our high school's VP's really did say that she wishes every teacher had to read it. The idea that people's appearances can be deceiving may have been done before, but this book makes readers care about the characters and why they present themselves as they do. Physical appearance is a very strong communication, and we can all use a reminder that it tells only part of each person's story. I can't remember any student even being neutral about this book; it's a winner.

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Summary: Nothing New, But Still Fun to Read
Review: Although predictable, cliche, and just plain corny at times, I found "Define Normal" to be a quick and enjoyable read. Furthermore, it teaches people not to judge others based on rumor and outward appearances.

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Summary: Real to Life
Review: Antonia is eager to join the counseling program at school until she meets her counseling partner, Jasmine Luther. Jasmine is otherwise known as "Jazz", Jazz the Punker, Jazz the Druggie, or Jazz the Gang Hanger. But Jazz has a dream of her own so secret that she can't even tell her best and closest friends. Playing the piano is what Jazz does best until more and more problems at home come along. Can Jazz and Antonia help each other out?
Antonia is normal, nice, intelligent, and nerdy. She always is on top of things, so she's also considered responsible. How responsible? Very. She takes care of her two little brothers, cooks, cleans, gets everyone to bed, then does her homework every day. Antonia is very caring and helpful as well. Her mom is in a very sick, depressed state of mind and Antonia has to run the entire household while her mom stays in bed all day. On the otherhand, Jazz is considered a freak. She is smart, but she acts like a punk and is really mean to her parents. She can be really stubborn, yet loves to play the piano. But she tells no one, not even her closest friends because what would they think of her?
The setting is in the school atmosphere. But a few glances are given of Jazz's house. When Jazz teaches Antonia to swim, and when Antonia listens to Jazz's piano lessons. Unfortunately, there are no glimpses of Antonia's house for Jazz.
Judging each other by their cover, not what was inside is a major conflict of Antonia and Jazz. The outside picture shows Jazz as a rebellious punker and Antonia as a nerd.
A complication of Antonia's is with her family. Her mom has a depression illness that keeps her in bed and she eventually ends up in the hospital for several weeks. All the stress is then laid upon Antonia. She must live with other people she doesn't even know. They are fake parents to her, and are only looking out for her and her brothers while her mom is in the hospital. Jazz has family complications as well. Yet she starts all of her problems She starts being rude to her parents when all they are trying to do is take care of her.
The author uses typical teenager language for the time period. Her point of view is two teenage girls helping each other out and becoming best of friends. They even realize they have a lot more in common than looks would show.

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Summary: Define "Normal"
Review: As an avid reader, I usually don't find too much to complain about after finishing a book. I think this may have to be an exception. There was nothing wrong with the plot itself, but I found it a dry book. However, I believe that if I had been younger when reading this, I may have found it much more pleasurable. It teaches good values and positive lessons. The book shows how to accept people different from you and how to learn from your mistakes. Opposites attract and learn from each other in this book. "Define 'Normal'" relays that you can be friends with people that are different from you, and it is possible to look beyond the dissimilarities.

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Summary: Define "Normal"
Review: Define "Normal" is a book about two teenage girls who are total opposites of each other. Antonia the "prep" and Jazz the "punk" are the two main characters. Antonia and Jazz are both signed up for a peer counseling program by the principal at their school. They are assigned to meet weekly and talk to each other about their lives. Antonia has been having family problems, her mom is clinically depressed and won't get help. Her dad left them when she was younger, and Antonia has to take care of her two younger brothers alone. Jazz hates her mother because her mom thinks she's not good enough. Jazz and Antonia talk to each other about their problems and realize they have a lot in common. Things change for both of them when Antonia comes home one day and finds her mom and brothers gone. She doesnt know who to ask for help. Jazz and Antonia start a good friendship but it changes again after they find out something else.
Define "Normal" was a very good book to me because it's really exciting. It's interesting and the characters learn new things about each other and themselves. It deals a lot with teenage problems and a lot of kids can relate to it. I would recommend this book to anyone ages 12 and up.

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Summary: Define "Normal"
Review: Define "Normal"
By Julie Anne Peters
Reviewed by N. Peng
Period: P.1
Julie Anne Peters' novel, Define "Normal", tells of Antonia, a teenage girl's, problems and how she deals with them. She decides to participate in the new peer counseling program at school. She soon wants to back out of peer couseling because she discovers that she is supposed to cousel Jasmine Luther. Antonia's opinion of Jasmine, also known as "Jazz", is that she's a punker, a gang hanger, and a druggie. Antonia is persuaded to stay with the program only because she knows that she needs an extracirricular activity on her record to get into an advanced-placement program next year. It's the only way she can graduate early and leave home for college. Leaving home is her dream. Antonia's family is very queer. Her dad left her when she was small, and she has to take care of her two little brothers, Chuckie and Michael. Her mother became mentally retarded and was sent to a hospital by Jazz's mom. Meanwhile, Antonia and her two brothers are sent to live with a very nice family. Eventually, Antonia's mom gets better after taking medication and everything goes back to normal.
I liked this book because of its seemingly real events. " That's why they call it a dream, Tone. Because it will never be reality." This quote made me think. This quote gave me a bad side on dreams. But of course, that was just one character's opinion, and I have to say that these type of quotes make me stop and ponder for a few seconds before moving on.
Another reason why I believe this book is because of its descriptive sentences. "My departure left a trail of smoke in its wake." The trail of smoke represents the main character's anger. In my opinion, this type of writing is very good.
My favorite part of the book was when Antonia called her mom to see how she was doing. Antonia expected her mom to still be dazed and drugged, but to her surprise, her mother was the complete opposite. She sounded happy and cheerful over the phone. It was such a touching moment. Julie Anne Peter's, Define "Normal", is a great book that helps me appreciate what I have now.

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Summary: Funny And Intresting
Review: Define "Normel": A Novel, is a fairly good and funny book. Matter of fact, VERY funny at times. The book is intresting and creative, but I don't think it is as even nearly as good as other teen books, like Francesca Lia Block's. The story line is a little flat, and the characters arn't deep. Other wise, it's okay.

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Summary: What is "Normal?"
Review: DEFINE "NORMAL" is a departure from my usual lighthearted contemporary fiction for young readers. It deals with more serious issues of a splintered family, a mother's depression, and the balance we must all achieve to survive and thrive. The book's theme grew out of my concern for children of failed families who oftentimes become strapped with adult responsibilities, such as raising their own siblings and nurturing wounded parents. Too early they are robbed of their childhood--a time in life that should be filled with fun and freedom to search and explore and find a sense of self. It made me wonder, "Is this fair? Is it normal?" Although we always have to look beneath the surface to really see people, sometimes we need to look harder and deeper at those who appear to be absolutely normal. The theme was mine, but the characters--Antonia and Jazz--gave it story. Yours, Julie