Define "Normal"

By Julie Anne Peters

Book Overview

What you see isn't always what you get in this funny and heart-wrenching story about two girls from different crowds who find common ground, by National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters.
Antonia is a "nerd," and Jazz is a "punk." Antonia belongs to the math club; Jazz hangs out at the tattoo parlor. Antonia's parents are divorced and her mother suffers from depression. Jazz is from a wealthy, traditional family. But when these two very different girls find themselves facing each other in a peer-counseling program, they discover they have some surprising things in common. With both humor and heart, this absorbing read will keep readers thinking and laughing. A reading-group guide written by the author is included at the back of this paperback edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316734896
• ISBN13: 9780316734899
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Super Good Story

I'm not great at describing books but this one was amazing. It touched on some very sensitive family issues which hit me harder than expected. It's much more serious too. I was quite surprised how grown up this was set up. I really appreciated the writing and storytelling. I've also read Luna. She is an amazing author. I fully recommend.

My Review for "Define 'Normal'"

I enjoyed reading "Define 'Normal'" very much. I found it to be an excellent book because I can relate all too well to both Antonia and Jazz. In this story it clearly shows how it is sometimes hard to accept a reaching hand and how sometimes you just want to take care of things on your own. Still, it shows the power of friendship and how much friends can help us, and how friendship can be found in the most unexpected places. I've re-read this book many times from the local library, and have come to decide to buy my own hardcover copy of it. Love this book, awesome read.

Define Normal's twists and turns makes it a page turner

Define Normal was an excellent and eerie book. I was hooked to the main character, Antonia. She was a great character who was developed throughout the story. Twists and turns kept me intranced and wondering what was going to happen. Julie Anne Peters is a great author and I will surely read another book of hers.

Entertaining, real, and a book I couldn't put down.

Julie Anne Peters obviously knows adolescents. This book is a must read for adults working with kids and to use in a literature class with students. Unpredictable until the end. I recommend it highly.

Define "Normal"?

When Antonia Dillon joins the new peer counseling program at her school, she excpects it to be a breeze. But when she learns that she has been paired up with Jasmine "Jazz" Luther, a punker, she is anything but eager. Her only motive to stay in the program is that it would help her get into the advanced placement program next year. Then, she can achieve her dream-going to college a year early. Jazz also has a dream-a secret ambition she can't share with anyone. Nonetheless, Antonia and Jazz seem to be nothing alike- Jazz is a "punker, a druggie, a gang hanger, etc". Antonia is a "priss, a ya-ya, and so on". But as their peer counseling sessions progress, they find out they are a lot more alike than they think. This book is truely entertaining and original. Teens and adults alike will be able to relate to it. I wholeheartedly suggest this novel to anyone!