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Define "Normal"
Now in its fourth hardcover printing, Define "Normal" has become a word-of-mouth phenomenon. This is a thoughtful, wry story about two girls--a "punk" and a "priss"--who find themselves facing each other in a peer-counseling program, and discover that they have some surprising things in common. A brand-new reading-group guide written by the author is included in the back of this paperback edition.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2000
110 people are currently reading
2611 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Peters
31Ìýbooks1,708ÌýfollowersJulie Anne Peters was born in Jamestown, New York. When she was five, her family moved to the Denver suburbs in Colorado. Her parents divorced when she was in high school. She has three siblings: a brother, John, and two younger sisters, Jeanne and Susan.
Her books for young adults include Define "Normal" (2000), Keeping You a Secret (2003), Luna (2004), Far from Xanadu (2005), Between Mom and Jo (2006), grl2grl (2007), Rage: A Love Story (2009), By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead (2010), She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not... (2011), It's Our Prom (So Deal with It) (2012), and Lies My Girlfriend Told Me (2014). Her young adult fiction often feature lesbian characters and address LGBT issues. She has announced that she has retired from writing, and Lies My Girlfriend Told Me will be her last novel. She now works full-time for the Colorado Reading Corps.
Her books for young adults include Define "Normal" (2000), Keeping You a Secret (2003), Luna (2004), Far from Xanadu (2005), Between Mom and Jo (2006), grl2grl (2007), Rage: A Love Story (2009), By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead (2010), She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not... (2011), It's Our Prom (So Deal with It) (2012), and Lies My Girlfriend Told Me (2014). Her young adult fiction often feature lesbian characters and address LGBT issues. She has announced that she has retired from writing, and Lies My Girlfriend Told Me will be her last novel. She now works full-time for the Colorado Reading Corps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 649 reviews
September 17, 2014
I was in the mood for something teenage and angsty, and this fit the bill. The story itself is more morality play than a realistic plot, but the characters are relatable and deep and introspective. They have dark secrets and insecurities and ways of rebelling that don't involve sex/drugs/cutting or whatever is the hot button issue of the year. There are some cool twists along the way.
Tangent. Note to authors of young adult novels. Slang. The entire point of slang is that it marks one as an insider/outsider. No one is more hyperaware of this than your audience. Please take a moment and avoid these common pitfalls.
1)If you are not well versed in the current vernacular, don't force it. For all that is holy, do NOT invent your own slang. This is only acceptable if you're creating your own funky scifi future. (I am looking at you, author of this book. That's so bode! My parents are going to cronk!! Just... no.)
2) If you can't write without recycling slang from your own generation, go all out and set your story back in the day, please. (Congratulations, Ms. Peters, you pass this one. I could do with a more specific feel of time/place, but at least I'm confident all your characters got the memo that it's not 1975 anymore.)
3) Slang should be seen and not heard. Let me pick it up by observing speakers in their natural habitat. I do not want an etymology lesson. Particularly if you have violated either of the above maxims, DO NOT draw further ridicule by having your characters discuss the slang. (Guilty again. What's worse than "bode?" Rhyming it. Yeah.)
4) Consider doing some actual research. We're not exactly talking about infiltrating the mafia or even cracking a book. Turn on a reality show. Go to the mall. It took about one day in an Oakland middle school for me to start mentally inserting "hella" into every sentence. On second thought, I understand why you have avoided this option.
5) When in doubt, just stick in some profanity.
Tangent. Note to authors of young adult novels. Slang. The entire point of slang is that it marks one as an insider/outsider. No one is more hyperaware of this than your audience. Please take a moment and avoid these common pitfalls.
1)If you are not well versed in the current vernacular, don't force it. For all that is holy, do NOT invent your own slang. This is only acceptable if you're creating your own funky scifi future. (I am looking at you, author of this book. That's so bode! My parents are going to cronk!! Just... no.)
2) If you can't write without recycling slang from your own generation, go all out and set your story back in the day, please. (Congratulations, Ms. Peters, you pass this one. I could do with a more specific feel of time/place, but at least I'm confident all your characters got the memo that it's not 1975 anymore.)
3) Slang should be seen and not heard. Let me pick it up by observing speakers in their natural habitat. I do not want an etymology lesson. Particularly if you have violated either of the above maxims, DO NOT draw further ridicule by having your characters discuss the slang. (Guilty again. What's worse than "bode?" Rhyming it. Yeah.)
4) Consider doing some actual research. We're not exactly talking about infiltrating the mafia or even cracking a book. Turn on a reality show. Go to the mall. It took about one day in an Oakland middle school for me to start mentally inserting "hella" into every sentence. On second thought, I understand why you have avoided this option.
5) When in doubt, just stick in some profanity.
April 20, 2011
When 14-year-old Antonia Dillion walks into her first peer counselling session to find out the girl she is surpossed to be helping is Jasmine "Jazz" Luther. She wants to quit straight away.
Jazz is a 'punker, a druggie, a gang hanger', she's beyond help.
But is she?
Antonia is a straight A student, participating in the programme to earn merits for when she is applying for college. Jazz is just there because she has to make up 'fifteen hours' a week.
As each session happens something about each girl is revealed. Jazz's apperance is only something on the outside, her life isn't so bad, to Antonia anyway. And Antonia's seemingly great life, is only a face. Things aren't so peachy on the inside.
Both girls start off hating the fact they have to talk to eachother, but as the book progresses, they realise that they need eachother.
Define Normal, is a great book. It makes you think about how judging people on appareance alone, can be wrong. How life for one person can be presumed 'easy' although under the surface soemthing scary, hard and demanding is happening. I really like this book, i thought it was going to be a little childish when i first picked it up but it wasn't. It was a really good read
Two totally different girls, are placed together and start to realise that they have things in comman and can help eachother if they just tried.
And in the end. Who's normal?
Jazz is a 'punker, a druggie, a gang hanger', she's beyond help.
But is she?
Antonia is a straight A student, participating in the programme to earn merits for when she is applying for college. Jazz is just there because she has to make up 'fifteen hours' a week.
As each session happens something about each girl is revealed. Jazz's apperance is only something on the outside, her life isn't so bad, to Antonia anyway. And Antonia's seemingly great life, is only a face. Things aren't so peachy on the inside.
Both girls start off hating the fact they have to talk to eachother, but as the book progresses, they realise that they need eachother.
Define Normal, is a great book. It makes you think about how judging people on appareance alone, can be wrong. How life for one person can be presumed 'easy' although under the surface soemthing scary, hard and demanding is happening. I really like this book, i thought it was going to be a little childish when i first picked it up but it wasn't. It was a really good read
Two totally different girls, are placed together and start to realise that they have things in comman and can help eachother if they just tried.
And in the end. Who's normal?
July 23, 2015
Define 'Normal'* is a novel by Julie Anne Peters, who I normally like. But I have to say, I was really disappointed in this one; of the three novels and one short story collection of hers that I've read, this is easily the worst thing she's put her name on. It's her first YA novel after a decade of middle-grade, and it really shows. Everything feels very juvenile, Antonia often reads quite a bit younger than fourteen, and there was a simplicity to it that didn't feel appropriate. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why Peters chose to write it as YA; the subject matter is completely appropriate for younger kids, and although there are a couple references to more 'teen' stuff like periods and drugs, those references feel out of place in this mostly very young novel. I noticed this in , to some extent, but it was ten times worse here.
But that's the least of this book's problems. The biggest one I'd cite is probably the plotting. The book rather abruptly changes topics about a hundred pages in; it starts out being about Antonia slowly warming up to Jazz, and it ends with Antonia dealing with a clinically depressed mother who doesn't know how to take care of her. I was actually rather thankful for the transition, but that doesn't change the fact that it was very jarring. The book felt like two unrelated plots merged into one, and neither one ended up being very satisfying.
Anyway, my problem with the first plot (Antonia helping Jazz) had more to do with the characters than the actual events. Antonia, while a well-developed character, was so judgmental that I couldn't feel sympathy for her. I'm not normally one to call characters unlikable; I can put up with characters do things I don't like and act in ways that I wouldn't normally want to be around... if I could understand why they do it. Antonia assumes that Jazz is a criminal who smokes and does drugs for no fucking reason! I mean, it comes from how Jazz dresses, but Antonia has no reason to think that way. It made me lose whatever interest in that plot I might've had, little interest as that one had originally.**
I enjoyed Antonia dealing with her home life a lot more than her plot with Jazz. Antoina was a lot more sympathetic in those sections, and that's where I really saw what I read Peters books for: an interesting situation rendered and written well enough that you forgot there weren't many actual events. I really wish that Peters could've gotten the whole 'peer counseling' thing out of the way so that we could get here, because my biggest problem with this plot was that it didn't last long enough; other than that, it was really great.
But actually, there were a lot of things that didn't last long enough in this novel. Lots of scenes felt clipped and cut off right when they were getting interesting, both on a micro and macro level. Everything generally moved altogether too fast for me, particularly in the first plot - it could've been a lot more interesting than it was. Even the last 100 pages, which really were interesting, didn't really last long enough for me to get a sense of satisfaction.
The characters, though, were pretty well developed, which is surprising, because I 'normal'ly think that character development is Peters's worst area. But although Antonia's transformation was extremely obvious from the beginning, Peters didn't dwell on it past the first 100 pages, and it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. Jazz was also wonderfully developed; better than Antonia, I'd say. The characters were probably the best part of this novel.
The writing was... mixed, which was surprising, because I normally like Peters's writing. And the prose was great don't get me wrong; it was a bit simple (like the rest of the novel), but it was also engaging, and there were no glaring flaws. But the dialogue was often a bit painful; Peters made up a lot of slang for the novel, which never fails to frustrate me. Words like 'bode'*** and 'cronk' got more painful with each use. So, the writing was mixed; great prose, not so great dialogue.
'Mixed' is a pretty good way to describe the whole book, mixed with a slight slant towards the negative. Although it had its merits, I wouldn't recommend this one. Peters has quite a few good books worth checking out; this just wasn't one of them.
*Technically called Define "Normal", but that's grammatically incorrect, so I'm going to pretend it's just Define 'Normal'.
** In contrast: , by Megan Crewe, deals with a very similar premise, but the difference is thatCrewe knows how to write a plot in Give Up the Ghost, we understand why Cass (the narrator) thinks the way she does. We see why she does what she does, and that makes her much more likable than Antonia ever was. This also made her transformation feel far more organic, and although it was still pretty predictable, it was far, far deeper and more meaningful. Cass reads much more like a real person than Antonia does - flawed, but not to the point of being an unreasonable asshole.
*** Which is actual slang, but she used it to mean 'cool' rather than 'to deal with something'.
You can find a new version of this review, with large sections rewritten, .
But that's the least of this book's problems. The biggest one I'd cite is probably the plotting. The book rather abruptly changes topics about a hundred pages in; it starts out being about Antonia slowly warming up to Jazz, and it ends with Antonia dealing with a clinically depressed mother who doesn't know how to take care of her. I was actually rather thankful for the transition, but that doesn't change the fact that it was very jarring. The book felt like two unrelated plots merged into one, and neither one ended up being very satisfying.
Anyway, my problem with the first plot (Antonia helping Jazz) had more to do with the characters than the actual events. Antonia, while a well-developed character, was so judgmental that I couldn't feel sympathy for her. I'm not normally one to call characters unlikable; I can put up with characters do things I don't like and act in ways that I wouldn't normally want to be around... if I could understand why they do it. Antonia assumes that Jazz is a criminal who smokes and does drugs for no fucking reason! I mean, it comes from how Jazz dresses, but Antonia has no reason to think that way. It made me lose whatever interest in that plot I might've had, little interest as that one had originally.**
I enjoyed Antonia dealing with her home life a lot more than her plot with Jazz. Antoina was a lot more sympathetic in those sections, and that's where I really saw what I read Peters books for: an interesting situation rendered and written well enough that you forgot there weren't many actual events. I really wish that Peters could've gotten the whole 'peer counseling' thing out of the way so that we could get here, because my biggest problem with this plot was that it didn't last long enough; other than that, it was really great.
But actually, there were a lot of things that didn't last long enough in this novel. Lots of scenes felt clipped and cut off right when they were getting interesting, both on a micro and macro level. Everything generally moved altogether too fast for me, particularly in the first plot - it could've been a lot more interesting than it was. Even the last 100 pages, which really were interesting, didn't really last long enough for me to get a sense of satisfaction.
The characters, though, were pretty well developed, which is surprising, because I 'normal'ly think that character development is Peters's worst area. But although Antonia's transformation was extremely obvious from the beginning, Peters didn't dwell on it past the first 100 pages, and it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. Jazz was also wonderfully developed; better than Antonia, I'd say. The characters were probably the best part of this novel.
The writing was... mixed, which was surprising, because I normally like Peters's writing. And the prose was great don't get me wrong; it was a bit simple (like the rest of the novel), but it was also engaging, and there were no glaring flaws. But the dialogue was often a bit painful; Peters made up a lot of slang for the novel, which never fails to frustrate me. Words like 'bode'*** and 'cronk' got more painful with each use. So, the writing was mixed; great prose, not so great dialogue.
'Mixed' is a pretty good way to describe the whole book, mixed with a slight slant towards the negative. Although it had its merits, I wouldn't recommend this one. Peters has quite a few good books worth checking out; this just wasn't one of them.
*Technically called Define "Normal", but that's grammatically incorrect, so I'm going to pretend it's just Define 'Normal'.
** In contrast: , by Megan Crewe, deals with a very similar premise, but the difference is that
*** Which is actual slang, but she used it to mean 'cool' rather than 'to deal with something'.
You can find a new version of this review, with large sections rewritten, .
November 28, 2021
So, I'd rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Honestly, this is not the type of book that I prefer reading, but I had a friend tell me that I would love it because our main protagonist, Antonia was a lot like me in personality and I would have no trouble relating to her at all. I feel like in personality I was not one of the characters, I wasn't really able to relate to any of them, but I guess me being obsessed with school and wanting to succeed does mean I do have some things in common with her, so maybe that's what my friend was implying?
Anyways, I was a little disappointed from this book, I expected more from the story, everyone had their happy ending, and I know I'm going to sound cruel, but I don't think that everyone should have had everything going well in the end, as in I wished there were a little more drama. There should have been some kind of cliffhanger, I would have definitely liked more conflict going on with Jazz and her mother, because there was almost none, and it was all vague and boring. At the end, Jazz just agreed to wear the dress, but if the author really wanted a happy ending for everyone, they should have just let Jazz be Jazz and given the dress to Antonia. Some characters were also quite irrelevant to the story, like Antonia's brothers and Mr. Luther for example. They did not make the story more interesting, whatsoever, they were just there for absolutely no reason, same thing with Mr. Luther, again, just there. Anyways, this story did not make me want to keep reading, it was super predictable, the personality and relationships given to characters was not done very well, it did not fit the story.
Moving on, I think I've said enough negative about this story, now let's move on to the positive! First of all, at least our protagonists are not our typical perfect teenage girls. They have their problems, their dark secrets, the issues they have in their lives are realistic, but the ways they were handled were unrealistic, which I have mentioned throughout this whole review. The moral of the story was clear, which was to never judge a book by its cover, because Antonia quickly judged Jazz by her appearance, which put her under the impression that Jazz was not a good person. I thought Antonia was the smart one, she seemed open-minded, but I guess it wasn't the case this time. This is my first review on GR, thank you so much for sticking around! <3
Anyways, I was a little disappointed from this book, I expected more from the story, everyone had their happy ending, and I know I'm going to sound cruel, but I don't think that everyone should have had everything going well in the end, as in I wished there were a little more drama. There should have been some kind of cliffhanger, I would have definitely liked more conflict going on with Jazz and her mother, because there was almost none, and it was all vague and boring. At the end, Jazz just agreed to wear the dress, but if the author really wanted a happy ending for everyone, they should have just let Jazz be Jazz and given the dress to Antonia. Some characters were also quite irrelevant to the story, like Antonia's brothers and Mr. Luther for example. They did not make the story more interesting, whatsoever, they were just there for absolutely no reason, same thing with Mr. Luther, again, just there. Anyways, this story did not make me want to keep reading, it was super predictable, the personality and relationships given to characters was not done very well, it did not fit the story.
Moving on, I think I've said enough negative about this story, now let's move on to the positive! First of all, at least our protagonists are not our typical perfect teenage girls. They have their problems, their dark secrets, the issues they have in their lives are realistic, but the ways they were handled were unrealistic, which I have mentioned throughout this whole review. The moral of the story was clear, which was to never judge a book by its cover, because Antonia quickly judged Jazz by her appearance, which put her under the impression that Jazz was not a good person. I thought Antonia was the smart one, she seemed open-minded, but I guess it wasn't the case this time. This is my first review on GR, thank you so much for sticking around! <3
September 3, 2020
4 Stars for Define “Normal� (audiobook) by Julie Anne Peters read by Christine Lakin. I enjoyed this coming of age story. The characters were fun and a little unexpected. The narration was great too.
May 21, 2013
At first, I was reluctant.
As anyone would probably be, looking at the cover (because despite better intentions, I still automatically judge a book by the cover), seeing as it appeared to be one of those classic, mediocre books about two girls from "different social groups become friends against all odds". And I wanted none of that. And I got none of it.
I also expected this book to be one about a forced, unrealistically happy teenagers who live a perfect life with their above-average scores and occasional prissy fights with their friends/family. But it's not. Antonia Dillon only APPEARS to be that sissy-above-average girl, because inside her house, it's definitely far from perfect. But at school, of course, she appears as best she can--and this lands her in a spot in the counseling program, and unfortunately she ends up with the moody, dressed-in-all-black, supposedly druggie and undeniably punk Jazz Luther. She's sassy, classic punk, but of course, Julie Anne Peters is going to make sure that what I see isn't what I get. But from there on out it's spoilers.
The book is quick, short two hundred pages, but I read it in one sitting and was very satisfied--overall, I simply couldn't put it down and thus ate it up. It was intriguing with a high school writing style--simply and to the point with actions that make sense for someone of this day and age. I'd recommend it for quite honestly anybody, especially one who is about to endure a two-hour car drive in an uncomfortable Subaru.
As anyone would probably be, looking at the cover (because despite better intentions, I still automatically judge a book by the cover), seeing as it appeared to be one of those classic, mediocre books about two girls from "different social groups become friends against all odds". And I wanted none of that. And I got none of it.
I also expected this book to be one about a forced, unrealistically happy teenagers who live a perfect life with their above-average scores and occasional prissy fights with their friends/family. But it's not. Antonia Dillon only APPEARS to be that sissy-above-average girl, because inside her house, it's definitely far from perfect. But at school, of course, she appears as best she can--and this lands her in a spot in the counseling program, and unfortunately she ends up with the moody, dressed-in-all-black, supposedly druggie and undeniably punk Jazz Luther. She's sassy, classic punk, but of course, Julie Anne Peters is going to make sure that what I see isn't what I get. But from there on out it's spoilers.
The book is quick, short two hundred pages, but I read it in one sitting and was very satisfied--overall, I simply couldn't put it down and thus ate it up. It was intriguing with a high school writing style--simply and to the point with actions that make sense for someone of this day and age. I'd recommend it for quite honestly anybody, especially one who is about to endure a two-hour car drive in an uncomfortable Subaru.
August 17, 2019
Honestly, was actually kind of a disappointment. I was looking for a book with an LGBT character for a challenge on Game Night, and unfortunately, this didn't even fulfill that.
The story is narrated by Antonia, who has agreed to participate in her school's new peer mentoring program, but the girl she has to mentor is absolutely nothing like her, or so it seems. Of course, this is a novel about unexpected friendships and all that, and I did think that was what I was in the mood for. However, I'd been expecting some sort of romantic relationship to blossom between the two girls, but absolutely nothing happened.
I did like the character development, although it definitely could have been a lot better, especially on Jazz's part. Antonia does grow up a little more throughout the novel, but not as much as I would have liked. As for Jazz, I feel like the only thing that really changes about her is the way people see her. I don't really like that. I also liked the way both girls' family relationships were played out, but again, those could have been a lot more developed. Overall, because of these elements, I would classify as more of a middle grade novel instead of a young adult novel, although it is marked as the latter on its main page on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
I also picked up by the same author, and I'm hoping to enjoy that book a little more. I will definitely not be rereading this book, though, and will probably give it away. I cannot sell it because it is from the school library's withdrawn pile, so used bookstores won't accept it, but if anyone wants it, let me know.
The story is narrated by Antonia, who has agreed to participate in her school's new peer mentoring program, but the girl she has to mentor is absolutely nothing like her, or so it seems. Of course, this is a novel about unexpected friendships and all that, and I did think that was what I was in the mood for. However, I'd been expecting some sort of romantic relationship to blossom between the two girls, but absolutely nothing happened.
I did like the character development, although it definitely could have been a lot better, especially on Jazz's part. Antonia does grow up a little more throughout the novel, but not as much as I would have liked. As for Jazz, I feel like the only thing that really changes about her is the way people see her. I don't really like that. I also liked the way both girls' family relationships were played out, but again, those could have been a lot more developed. Overall, because of these elements, I would classify as more of a middle grade novel instead of a young adult novel, although it is marked as the latter on its main page on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
I also picked up by the same author, and I'm hoping to enjoy that book a little more. I will definitely not be rereading this book, though, and will probably give it away. I cannot sell it because it is from the school library's withdrawn pile, so used bookstores won't accept it, but if anyone wants it, let me know.
October 24, 2020
What is "normal"? I think that's a question that is still debated. In this YA book, one eighth grade student, Antonia (Tone) Dillon, who has a negligent mother at home is asked by the school psychologist to peer counsel another student Jasmine (Jazz) Luther. The problem is, being a typical 8th grader who worries far too much about what others think, does just that because Jazz is known to be a "punker. A druggie. A gang hanger...Jazz needed long-term professional psychotherapy." Antonia was worried about being the laughing stock of the school.
When they have their first meeting, let's just say it didn't go so well. Jazz was not into the peer counseling. She was definitely "different" or as I would like to say "unique." She dressed differently than Tone (as Jazz liked to call her), her hair was a different color, and other things that made Antonia think they were 100% different, but as it turned out Jazz and Antonia were alike in ways that Antonia never thought possible. For one thing, neither of them smoked cigarettes (shocker!). As they continued their peer counseling (after Tone tried to get out of it) Antonia realized that there was more to Jazz. Jazz is a pianist and she loves classical music but doesn't want anyone to know because she doesn't want to be laughed at. Her dream is to go to Julliard School of Music. Not exactly what Tone would've thought.
They discover things about each others' parents that are a bit of a surprise. Tone has been taking care of her two brothers, 8 and 3, because her dad is MIA and her mom is "not well." Jazz thinks her own mother is awful and they have a strained relationship but Antonia thinks differently because at least Jazz's mom is present in her life.
Anyway it's a pretty good book for middle graders that exemplifies that we shouldn't judge others based on their exterior but get to know them. It's okay to be different and look and dress opposite of others. We oftentimes shared similar situations in life and only think we are the only ones with specific problems. Bottom line is get to know a person and enjoy and value our differences.
When they have their first meeting, let's just say it didn't go so well. Jazz was not into the peer counseling. She was definitely "different" or as I would like to say "unique." She dressed differently than Tone (as Jazz liked to call her), her hair was a different color, and other things that made Antonia think they were 100% different, but as it turned out Jazz and Antonia were alike in ways that Antonia never thought possible. For one thing, neither of them smoked cigarettes (shocker!). As they continued their peer counseling (after Tone tried to get out of it) Antonia realized that there was more to Jazz. Jazz is a pianist and she loves classical music but doesn't want anyone to know because she doesn't want to be laughed at. Her dream is to go to Julliard School of Music. Not exactly what Tone would've thought.
They discover things about each others' parents that are a bit of a surprise. Tone has been taking care of her two brothers, 8 and 3, because her dad is MIA and her mom is "not well." Jazz thinks her own mother is awful and they have a strained relationship but Antonia thinks differently because at least Jazz's mom is present in her life.
Anyway it's a pretty good book for middle graders that exemplifies that we shouldn't judge others based on their exterior but get to know them. It's okay to be different and look and dress opposite of others. We oftentimes shared similar situations in life and only think we are the only ones with specific problems. Bottom line is get to know a person and enjoy and value our differences.
February 26, 2019
4/5 stars
Antonia (14 year old) is a "straight A" student, who signs up
a peer counseling program. her peer is a punker, druggie, gang hanger girl, Jazz (Jasmine Luther), or Antonia thinks she is.
Antonia seems normal girl where Jazz is exact opposite to her. When she sees Jazz is paired with her, she wants to quit the program. But Dr. Dileo (their counseling program head) forces her to keep continue doing it.
Even they are very much deferent from each other, there is something common between them.
They are hiding a secret from each other.
As story goes on they learn about each other secret and start to help each other and become friends. But there is another secret in their peering.
It's not a mystery type (it's barely 200 pages though)
Antonia's secret, which she is trying to hide from Jazz, is her mother is clinically depressed and She has to look after her mother and two brothers.
And Jazz is a simple rebellion against her mother.
I really enjoyed this book because it is very well written and it has strong and very well developed characters.
It is pretty engaging to read Antonia's struggle with her home life. It makes you feel sympathetic toward her.
And Jazz's cold war with her mother and her passion for music.
We often judge people by their appearance like, how they dressed, whom they talks, like Antonia does here.
But here, it's not like, you will get what you see. Sometimes people seems normal but inside their are mess.
That's why this Novel titled.
Define "Normal"
Antonia (14 year old) is a "straight A" student, who signs up
a peer counseling program. her peer is a punker, druggie, gang hanger girl, Jazz (Jasmine Luther), or Antonia thinks she is.
Antonia seems normal girl where Jazz is exact opposite to her. When she sees Jazz is paired with her, she wants to quit the program. But Dr. Dileo (their counseling program head) forces her to keep continue doing it.
Even they are very much deferent from each other, there is something common between them.
They are hiding a secret from each other.
As story goes on they learn about each other secret and start to help each other and become friends. But there is another secret in their peering.
It's not a mystery type (it's barely 200 pages though)
Antonia's secret, which she is trying to hide from Jazz, is her mother is clinically depressed and She has to look after her mother and two brothers.
And Jazz is a simple rebellion against her mother.
I really enjoyed this book because it is very well written and it has strong and very well developed characters.
It is pretty engaging to read Antonia's struggle with her home life. It makes you feel sympathetic toward her.
And Jazz's cold war with her mother and her passion for music.
We often judge people by their appearance like, how they dressed, whom they talks, like Antonia does here.
But here, it's not like, you will get what you see. Sometimes people seems normal but inside their are mess.
That's why this Novel titled.
Define "Normal"
September 15, 2013
I liked the situation in this book with the main character who has to take care of her mother and younger brothers while also trying to stay on top of things at school. At her school, there's a "counseling program," and she winds up counseling a "punky" girl who is the complete opposite of her. The early chapters are funny as Jazz, the punker, takes over the counseling session that Antonio, the geek, is supposed to lead.
The book becomes a little more serious as the two girls start to get to know one another and learn that they have things in common, and, more importantly, they learn things about the other person that suggest neither of them have a "perfect" life. That seems to be one of the main themes of the novel--don't judge others until you have walked in their shoes.
The writing style occasionally distracted me, with weird slang "bode"? "cronk"? And I get tired of people "breaking in" during conversation, or cracking smiles, or "meeting my eyes." Didn't someone advise the author it's okay to have a character just "said"?
The book becomes a little more serious as the two girls start to get to know one another and learn that they have things in common, and, more importantly, they learn things about the other person that suggest neither of them have a "perfect" life. That seems to be one of the main themes of the novel--don't judge others until you have walked in their shoes.
The writing style occasionally distracted me, with weird slang "bode"? "cronk"? And I get tired of people "breaking in" during conversation, or cracking smiles, or "meeting my eyes." Didn't someone advise the author it's okay to have a character just "said"?
December 11, 2019
One of my favorites when I was a teen.
May 12, 2016
This was a good book.
It deals with two girls who are the complete opposite of each other, counseling each other through their problems. Both girls have family troubles and issues. In school they are paired up in a peer counseling program. Antonia is the counselor who is told to that she needs to help Jazz. At first there is friction between the two girls but over their sessions they become friends and open with each other about their problems. The main messages for this book is "Don't judge a book by its cover" and "things are not always what they seem".
Antonia is a 14 year old "Priss". She gets good grades, is good at math and on the outside is the perfect student and girl. She works very hard to get good grades so she can graduate early and is very smart. Her home life however is horrible. Her mother is clinically depressed and Antonia has to take care of the house and her two little brothers, Michael and Chuckie. Her mother doesn't get out of bed and doesn't take care of her children. Its all on Antonia, plus dealing with school. Antonia tries to hide her home situation but when things get out of control, Jazz is the one to help her. Antonia is very defensive and closes her feelings off. It is very hard for Jazz to get her to talk but she does eventually. Antonia was an ok character but she seemed cold and it was hard for me to get to like her. Of course I understood that her home life made her that way but to me, she wasn't so likable.
Jazz is a punk with piercings, tattoos and purple hair. She has a big attitude and to me is hilarious. She is also very smart but teachers judge her based on her looks and think she's a slacker. She was my favorite character and automatically likable from the moment we meet her. Her problem is that she clashes with her parents. Her parents are rich and she lives in a mansion. Her parents don't approve of the way she dresses and want her to be prim and proper. She has an especially horrible relationship with her mother. They fight all the time. Jazz is more fun loving than Antonia and has a secret passion that Antonia discovers, which also causes friction with her mother but not in the way you think. Jazz is more open with her feelings and is easier to talk to than Antonia. While Antonia gives up easily and is unwilling to try very hard, Jazz is the opposite, trying to get Antonia to open up.
This book deals with many issues that teens can face in high school. One is the clique thing and judging other people based on how they look. When Antonia first sees Jazz in the counseling room, she forms her opinion on her because of her looks: that Jazz is a punk, a druggie, an alcoholic, has been arrested many times and is a gang banger. Jazz thinks that Antonia is a priss. Over the course of the book they find that despite their outer appearances they have many things in common, they support one another and become great friends. Antonia makes a lot of head way in this aspect because we can see when she speaks to her teacher about Jazz and the hinting at a romance that may happen between Antonia and Jazz's friend who is also a punk. I feel like Jazz is more open about people and their appearance.
The books also deals with depression, neglect and counseling. Teens reading this book who are in similar situations can see that things can get better and that they should not keep secrets like these. Its ok to ask for help and they can't do everything on their own. The book shows what can happen when someone is depressed and that these people need help, sometimes medicinal, and that there is no shame in that. It also shows that counseling and even just talking to someone about their problems can help immensely. If there is a problem, they shouldn't keep it bottled up inside.
This book deals with all these issues and shows that good things can happen from bad situations. I would recommend this book for teens to read.
This review is also posted on
It deals with two girls who are the complete opposite of each other, counseling each other through their problems. Both girls have family troubles and issues. In school they are paired up in a peer counseling program. Antonia is the counselor who is told to that she needs to help Jazz. At first there is friction between the two girls but over their sessions they become friends and open with each other about their problems. The main messages for this book is "Don't judge a book by its cover" and "things are not always what they seem".
Antonia is a 14 year old "Priss". She gets good grades, is good at math and on the outside is the perfect student and girl. She works very hard to get good grades so she can graduate early and is very smart. Her home life however is horrible. Her mother is clinically depressed and Antonia has to take care of the house and her two little brothers, Michael and Chuckie. Her mother doesn't get out of bed and doesn't take care of her children. Its all on Antonia, plus dealing with school. Antonia tries to hide her home situation but when things get out of control, Jazz is the one to help her. Antonia is very defensive and closes her feelings off. It is very hard for Jazz to get her to talk but she does eventually. Antonia was an ok character but she seemed cold and it was hard for me to get to like her. Of course I understood that her home life made her that way but to me, she wasn't so likable.
Jazz is a punk with piercings, tattoos and purple hair. She has a big attitude and to me is hilarious. She is also very smart but teachers judge her based on her looks and think she's a slacker. She was my favorite character and automatically likable from the moment we meet her. Her problem is that she clashes with her parents. Her parents are rich and she lives in a mansion. Her parents don't approve of the way she dresses and want her to be prim and proper. She has an especially horrible relationship with her mother. They fight all the time. Jazz is more fun loving than Antonia and has a secret passion that Antonia discovers, which also causes friction with her mother but not in the way you think. Jazz is more open with her feelings and is easier to talk to than Antonia. While Antonia gives up easily and is unwilling to try very hard, Jazz is the opposite, trying to get Antonia to open up.
This book deals with many issues that teens can face in high school. One is the clique thing and judging other people based on how they look. When Antonia first sees Jazz in the counseling room, she forms her opinion on her because of her looks: that Jazz is a punk, a druggie, an alcoholic, has been arrested many times and is a gang banger. Jazz thinks that Antonia is a priss. Over the course of the book they find that despite their outer appearances they have many things in common, they support one another and become great friends. Antonia makes a lot of head way in this aspect because we can see when she speaks to her teacher about Jazz and the hinting at a romance that may happen between Antonia and Jazz's friend who is also a punk. I feel like Jazz is more open about people and their appearance.
The books also deals with depression, neglect and counseling. Teens reading this book who are in similar situations can see that things can get better and that they should not keep secrets like these. Its ok to ask for help and they can't do everything on their own. The book shows what can happen when someone is depressed and that these people need help, sometimes medicinal, and that there is no shame in that. It also shows that counseling and even just talking to someone about their problems can help immensely. If there is a problem, they shouldn't keep it bottled up inside.
This book deals with all these issues and shows that good things can happen from bad situations. I would recommend this book for teens to read.
This review is also posted on
December 9, 2015
I liked this book so much. In the end Antonia's mom ended up getting a lot better than she was before. She was even able to go to one of Jazz's piano recitals where there was a lot of people. Also, I thought something was weird during Jazz and Antonia's peer counseling session because Jazz would always talk to Antonia about her problems and try to help her instead of the other way around. As it turns out Jazz was actually Antonia's peer counselor the whole time! I was kind of surprised but I also kind of expecting it. Antonia ended up actually benefiting a lot from the peer counseling even though she didn't realize it at first. Antonia did help Jazz, too. She helped Jazz realize she was more than what everybody saw her as. I hope they did end up staying friends because it ended with them laughing after Jazz's piano recital. I think they did stay friends though, because they formed a strong bond through their peer counseling sessions. This book was really good and I would recommend it to anyone, really.
March 6, 2012
This book is about a girl named Antonia who is in a program to help troubled teens with their problems. But when Antonia finds out that her partner is Jazz Luther, one of the most rebellious and obnoxious girls in the school, Antonia wants to quit the program. The person in charge of the program doesn't let her because he thinks it will be "good for the both of them". Throughout the book, both Jazz and Antonia learn that it's not just Jazz who needs a friend.
I loved this book. It wasn't as thrilling as some of the other ones I've read, but that doesn't mean it's not a great book. It has a lot of twists and turns that you were never expecting.
I loved this book. It wasn't as thrilling as some of the other ones I've read, but that doesn't mean it's not a great book. It has a lot of twists and turns that you were never expecting.
November 23, 2014
This is a lovely book about friendship and about -- surprise! -- being "normal", whatever that might be. Antonia is teenage schoolgirl forced to take on adult responsibilities. Her mother is clinically depressed and pretty much out of it; she has two young brothers, one of whom is a toddler; and she ends up cooking, cleaning and playing mother, in addition to keeping up with her schoolwork. Then she meets Jazz Luther and an unlikely friendship develops.
There were a few times when this book reminded me of my own childhood, different though it was, of being scared when you think you're responsible for things that you really are not, but you're too young to know any better.
There were a few times when this book reminded me of my own childhood, different though it was, of being scared when you think you're responsible for things that you really are not, but you're too young to know any better.
May 11, 2008
I think this helps fill a niche, for 10-12-year-olds who are reluctant readers or think they're too edgy for The Melendy Family, but really aren't ready for The Catcher in the Rye.
Most teenagers would probably find it too simplistic. It's well-written, but read to me sort of like a high-school play written by a high-schooler. The main storyline is interesting and challenging, but NOTHING else is--everything outside that situation is pretty easy for the characters.
The realism of the slang is highly suspect.
Most teenagers would probably find it too simplistic. It's well-written, but read to me sort of like a high-school play written by a high-schooler. The main storyline is interesting and challenging, but NOTHING else is--everything outside that situation is pretty easy for the characters.
The realism of the slang is highly suspect.
April 13, 2009
I haven't read this book since the first time I read it, but it was in middle school and this book inspired me to want to read more. It was the first book I had ever read that I felt I could really relate to.
I recommend this for middle school and high school kids.
I remember finishing reading this and wishing that kids who picked on me and other kids would read this and realize that "normal" is not easy if at all possible to define.
I recommend this for middle school and high school kids.
I remember finishing reading this and wishing that kids who picked on me and other kids would read this and realize that "normal" is not easy if at all possible to define.
January 29, 2014
It was pretty cool.. I thought the ending was to happy though....
October 11, 2017
At first I was skeptical about reading this book. that was before I had opened it and began to read it. Define Normal is a story about two completely different girls coming together to learn more and help each other out. They compare each others� lives coming to realize everyone fights their own battles. Throughout the story you learn more and more about each of the girls.
I give this book a fairly good rating. I personally have never really enjoyed reading. I finished this book in a week and enjoyed reading every page. It encouraged me to read more books, especially by this author. I would also encourage anyone who likes reading about teens or high school to read this book. The book has an emotional part, a comical feeling, along with being able to relate to it. The author has a good idea about how to connect with her readers, bringing in family along with their lives at school. I enjoyed this book very much that I might in fact say it is my favorite book so far that I have read. I also enjoyed how the story was never changing allot. The main focus was always clear from the beginning. This book is basically a day-to-day basis where all of these things happen one day after the next. The rating that I would give this book is a 10/10. I would read more of her book and even read this again.
I give this book a fairly good rating. I personally have never really enjoyed reading. I finished this book in a week and enjoyed reading every page. It encouraged me to read more books, especially by this author. I would also encourage anyone who likes reading about teens or high school to read this book. The book has an emotional part, a comical feeling, along with being able to relate to it. The author has a good idea about how to connect with her readers, bringing in family along with their lives at school. I enjoyed this book very much that I might in fact say it is my favorite book so far that I have read. I also enjoyed how the story was never changing allot. The main focus was always clear from the beginning. This book is basically a day-to-day basis where all of these things happen one day after the next. The rating that I would give this book is a 10/10. I would read more of her book and even read this again.
June 3, 2018
I thought this was a gay teen drama because I assumed that's all Julie Anne Peters wrote, so my bad for thinking that. It is not a gay teen drama, but it's still very good. I really enjoyed the simplicity of it. The plot reveals and misdirections were subtle and surprising. Both Jazz and Antonia had realistic yet very intense problems for 14-year-olds, and the narrative is obviously written to help young teenagers sort through their own family issues and identity issues without slapping you in the face with a moral message. Everything wrapped up a little too neatly, but I can forgive that in a short teen drama. Would I have enjoyed it more had Jazz and Antonia been gay? I mean, yeah.
August 27, 2022
while I can appreciate what this book was trying to do, it aged like whole milk. there were aids jokes, a ton of villainizing of mental illnesses and 'ugly' physical attributes, as well as the plot hinging on something that literally would never get the green light because of how wildly unethical it is. it also made me mad because I found the rich character to be an overall more decent human than the other character, ICKY!
(side note, this was definitely supposed to be gay, but it was written in 2000)
(side note, this was definitely supposed to be gay, but it was written in 2000)
January 19, 2024
I had to give this my first 5 star rating. This book is all about how you can judge someone but never see the real person until you start to get to really know them. It is a super quick read but there is parts that makes you cry, and laugh. There is also times of uncertainty and harsh realities that not all family life is picture perfect.
June 26, 2024
It is really cute !!! I had a fun time reading this! I do love a teenage angst moment, especially when there's REAL trauma in the home life. mmmhmm!!!! Tasty!!!!
Torrie gave it to me to read because it was a favorite of hers growing up, and I loved that. I love seeing my friends in their favorite books growing up. It felt like an intense Disney Movie if I'm being honest! And I'm a sucker for those!
Torrie gave it to me to read because it was a favorite of hers growing up, and I loved that. I love seeing my friends in their favorite books growing up. It felt like an intense Disney Movie if I'm being honest! And I'm a sucker for those!
February 25, 2019
- good take on american high school
- shows how people are not what u see
- it really shows how you don't judge a book by its cover
- shows how people are not what u see
- it really shows how you don't judge a book by its cover
May 20, 2021
I read it 8th grade. I loved it so much !! A book I’ll always remember.
October 14, 2019
This book "Define 'Normal'" teaches its readers the saying don't judge a book by its cover. At the beginning of the book, Antonia gets involved in peer counseling and has to peer, counsel Jazz Luther, The girl known a the "bad girl" in their school. In their first session, Antonia feels as though she can't "break the ice" with Jazz, and asks the person in charge of peer counseling to give her someone else. Despite her request being declined, Jazz asks Antonia to come over. Later that day Antonia gets dropped off at her house and realizes her mom, and two younger brothers are still gone after their outing from earlier. Knowing how mentally ill her mother is, she knows she needs to find them. After her, Jazz, Mrs. Luther, Jazz's mother find how sick Antonia's mother is, they try to send her away to get her help. Through all this chaos with trying Antonia and her two brothers a temporary place to live, and her mother the right help, Jazz and Antonia grow a stronger bond and become good friends, making it easier to get through their problems. My favorite part is when Antonia sees her mother again, but this time more mentally stable. "She looked better. Better than she had in a long time. Her hair was cut short and tucked neatly behind her ears. She wore a clean white cotton blouse, which looked freshly ironed, and her black jeans." Antonia and Jazz have some hardships in their friendship, but overall they help each other through their problems and figure things out. I recommend this book to people who have trouble with mending or making good relationships with people. These books can show those people that things can become better, and it's good to ask for help.
July 8, 2019
This is a book I first saw on display in my school library in middle school. I wish I did pick it up then, but I still appreciated it now! The book turns out to be about may more than it appears to be. Initially it seems like we're going to watch an "emo, bad girl" and a "goody goody smart girl" try to interact. When one is assigned to be a peer counselor for the other, we wonder if they'll ever be able to talk to each other, never mind be able to forge a friendship. We learn that both of them have family issues, and that neither of them want to talk about it. But when "the system" butts into a masked "happy life," thing change for both girls. This book is full of unexpected events, although some parts are pretty far-fetched and unrealistic, it will still keep you interested.
Family problems aside, I think the lessons on friendship and not judging people by their appearances and extremely valuable to people in the targeted audience. Definitely was a great choice by my middle school library for a choice in books to display.
Family problems aside, I think the lessons on friendship and not judging people by their appearances and extremely valuable to people in the targeted audience. Definitely was a great choice by my middle school library for a choice in books to display.
October 28, 2015
By looking at this book's cover, would you ever expect it to discuss mental health, stereotypes and self-acceptance? Oh yes, expectations are also something this book takes into consideration.
Extremely clever books disguised as light young-adult fiction. This is only the second novel I read by Julie Anne Peters, but this seems to be her thing. It's like a magical power, writing about heavy topics as if they were made of cotton. You can feel its texture, its slight resistance as you try to pull the pieces apart, to deconstruct it. Still, no matter what you do to it, it remains soft to the touch.
This story is about two young girls from two completely different backgrounds that are brought together by their school's counselor with the purpose of helping one another. How does said counselor get them to work together? He tells them both, separately, that the other needs help, that this is the other's last chance. Little do they know that by helping each other they are helping themselves.
Honestly, there's not much of a plot. There are no breathtaking twists, no twisted revelations. It is what it is, and it's great. Thought-provoking, this is a book that can be everything or/and nothing, depending on who's reading it.
Give it a chance. Give yourself a chance.
Being different is one of the things we all have in common.
Extremely clever books disguised as light young-adult fiction. This is only the second novel I read by Julie Anne Peters, but this seems to be her thing. It's like a magical power, writing about heavy topics as if they were made of cotton. You can feel its texture, its slight resistance as you try to pull the pieces apart, to deconstruct it. Still, no matter what you do to it, it remains soft to the touch.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
This story is about two young girls from two completely different backgrounds that are brought together by their school's counselor with the purpose of helping one another. How does said counselor get them to work together? He tells them both, separately, that the other needs help, that this is the other's last chance. Little do they know that by helping each other they are helping themselves.
Honestly, there's not much of a plot. There are no breathtaking twists, no twisted revelations. It is what it is, and it's great. Thought-provoking, this is a book that can be everything or/and nothing, depending on who's reading it.
Give it a chance. Give yourself a chance.
Being different is one of the things we all have in common.
December 23, 2015
I would give this book three and a half stars. I liked the relationship between them, and even though it was definitely a corny plot, the characters felt real to me. I think the title is clever, and the use of it at the beginning works well, but the definition of what's normal was never actually addressed. Also, I felt like the happy ending seemed a little too joyous. I liked what happened at the end with Antonia's mother, and I think the piano recital was great, but it got a little too cheesy with how all of a sudden, everyone was just dandy. That was my biggest reason for 3.5 stars instead of 4 stars. I also wish that even though they were doing better, they would have still clearly needed the other at the end, that the relationship would continue to be more than sunny-side-up. The last thing that bothered me was the lack of confrontation. They would have a fight, and the next time everything would be forgotten. That's just not how it works in the world. I liked that while the lingo was strange, it was theirs. It was also more forgivable because it was written in a time when portable CD players were all the rage. Overall, I appreciated this book for what it's worth, and I hope people read this and question why they judge people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2013
“She was perfectly normal.�
“What do you mean?�
I turned around again. “What do you mean, what do I mean?�
I clucked my tongue in disgust. “You know, normal. Happy, healthy. Someone with friends and family. Shelley had all kinds of friends. She was popular.�
“So if you're not popular, you're not normal?�
“I didn't say that.� Did I?
Right, define “normal.� What's the standard for “normal?� If I'd compare myself to this quote I'd hardly qualify. So, how is it....I think everyone needs his/her own answer for this.
Back to the book! Did I like it?.....Damn yeah! It's a beautiful story about friendship, trust and everyday problems. But I have to say the writing style was quite depressive. No, really I was depressed. But I couldn't stop reading. I just needed to know how Jazz and Tone will cope with each other and, of course, how it'll end between them and their mothers.
It was quite a fast read and I confess it’s not that fantastically well-written, but it is still something I would recommend, for it makes you think....
“What do you mean?�
I turned around again. “What do you mean, what do I mean?�
I clucked my tongue in disgust. “You know, normal. Happy, healthy. Someone with friends and family. Shelley had all kinds of friends. She was popular.�
“So if you're not popular, you're not normal?�
“I didn't say that.� Did I?
Right, define “normal.� What's the standard for “normal?� If I'd compare myself to this quote I'd hardly qualify. So, how is it....I think everyone needs his/her own answer for this.
Back to the book! Did I like it?.....Damn yeah! It's a beautiful story about friendship, trust and everyday problems. But I have to say the writing style was quite depressive. No, really I was depressed. But I couldn't stop reading. I just needed to know how Jazz and Tone will cope with each other and, of course, how it'll end between them and their mothers.
It was quite a fast read and I confess it’s not that fantastically well-written, but it is still something I would recommend, for it makes you think....
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