The cover of Leslie Connor's middle grade novel caught me. An old classic yellow trailer sitting at the bottom of a wistful blue sky. It didn't let on how much heartache, bravery, blurred lines, and love were contained in its pages.
Addie's story brought life to statistics that tell of children whose lives are anything but "normal." Her willingness to do what she needed to do in order to survive was amazing. Sadly, her story is similar to too many kids today.
I thought I'd write a "full length" review on Waiting for Normal, but I don't think my words can bring justice to it. You will come away with more empathy, hopefully more caution before passing judgement on the kids in your school/classroom, and become more of a cheerleader for those whose lives are spent without supportive parents. If a book could be judged on how much it makes you ache, this one would be one of those at the top.
Thank you, Leslie, for bringing Addie's life into ours. Thank you, HarperCollins, for bringing it to us.
Wow! That's a lot of awards!!
~New York Public Library’s “One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing”
~School Library Journal Best Book
~ALA Notable Children’s Book
~ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
~The Schneider Family Book Award
~Texas Lone Star Reading List
~Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice
~2009 Connecticut Book Award
