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: 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: Normal is Just Normal.
Review: Define Normal is about a girl named Antonia who has a few problems on her shoulders. Her mother is in depression and is never around to help Antonia. She has to look after her two little brothers and not to mention the entire house, which includes cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundary. Plus she has to do all her homework for school. Speaking of school during her free time she does peer counseling. While doing so she befriends the girl who she thinks she is helping but the girl is really helping her with her problems. Her name is Jazz and she is a punk who maybe mean on the outside but is a true friend on the inside. So all in all Antonia's mother gets the help she needs and Jazz goes back to playing her piano after she said she never would.
Define Normal is an outstanding book. It can closely relate to life because there are people out there just like Jazz and there are people out there just like Antonia. Once i picked up the book I couldn't stop reading it. Sometimes I felt as if the book had come alive to me. I truly got lost in the book.
This book is such a great book. It makes you go through happy emotions and sad emotions. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read a book where there's twists and turns. I would also recommend this book to anyone who loves to read a very good book such as this one.

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Summary: good ... not as much punch as Peters' others, though
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. I love the characters in Peters' books b/c they are so dimensional. These characters were interesting to read about, but not as realized as the characters in "Luna" and "Keeping You a Secret."

This was a story that is somewhat predictable and sometimes trite, but the quality of writing is still there.

If you're a fan of Peters, read it for the quality of writing that makes Peters so great, but don't expect it to possess the punch of "Luna" and "Keeping You a Secret."

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Summary: Interesting, even funny at times
Review: I liked this book. It was pretty cool, and on the overall, quite well-written. I finished it in one day though. The story wasn't too long, and I felt the author could've written it even better if she'd put in more to give us more complete, 3-dimensional characters. However Julie Anne Peters has tackled the problems that teenagers nowadays do face, so we can relate. The plot was o.k, really, at first it started off a little not-so-good, but then the story started to thicken and you got more involved with Jazz and Antonia. That was when it started to get interesting and made you want to read on. I liked the part about the girls' peer counseling programs, and their discussions. It seemed genuine enough, like typical conversations, not fake or contrived. Like I said though, this is a good book on the whole, even if not excellent. Those aged 11 and above will probably enjoy it. 'Define "Normal" ' makes for good, fun reading.

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Summary: Making You Define "Normal"
Review: I read it about 5 years ago and I still can't forget how wonderful I felt about reading this book. The end reminded me of the sixth sense, and the twist it had, the way it made me think one thing but was really another, the way I judged a character from the outside because the author wanted you to do just that, it was awesome. READ THIS BOOK!!!

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Summary: Define "NORMAL"
Review: Let me start off by telling you that I loved this book!!! It was so real and had these life-like charcters! I loved it!

Anyway, this book starts off in the peer conseling room with Jazz and Antonia. They are totally differnt people, as we can tell for sure, right from the beginning. Tone seems to express herself with her school work and picking up the slack at home. Jazz seems to have a very real perspective on life. Even though Tone (Antonia) describes her as a punker, a druggie, and a gang hanger they become friends by Tone getting into some trouble at home. After this event Tone really needs someone to be her friend for once. They keep talking at peer sessions and Tone fights with herself because of her mom being clinicly depressed. ( I know!! Tough to go through!). Anyway, soon Jazz has quit the one thing se love (piano) and Tone can't let this happen so she soon replaces the peer session with Jazz playing the piano!

In the end everything works out but I wouln't tell you exactly what happens because that would totally ruin this ausome story. Anyway,I give Julie Anne Peters props for writing this book. Great charcters and situations!! Loved it! I totally recomend this book. Also I love this tittle, Define "Normal". Thats my question for the day. No my intire life.

Define "Normal"!!

Jessica

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Summary: Define "Normal"
Review: The book Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters was a great book. It was about two teenage girls that by looks are completely opposite. Antonia-very smart and dedicated to school joined the peer counseling program at school to help out other students and so she can go to college a year earlier, she was looking forward to doing this until she found out who she was assigned to counsel, Jazz Luther-a punker, and a drugie. After the first few sessions Antonia was begging to quit but her teacher convinced her to give Jazz a chance. When they started telling the truth and letting out some of their feelings they started to realize that they are not as different as they thought. They start to become friends and realize how good it is to have someone there to lean onto and to always talk to. The main intentions of the book were to not judge someone by how look and not to give up on just on a first impression. I think the author did a great job proving that point. I really recommend this book to others. It is very interesting and almost anyone can enjoy it. It helps remind you not to judge people by the inside and not to always assume and jump to conclusions before you really get to know them.

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Summary: Bravo!!
Review: This is a great book. Any young adult should read this. You can relate to the characters easily. You don't even have to know what they are going through. When you read this you will feel like you know the characters. You might even relize you have a 'Tone' or 'Jazz' in your school.