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Define "Normal"

Julie Anne Peters

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Oct 23, 2020 Vicki rated it liked it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, lgbtq, young-adult, mental-health, contemporary, coming-of-age

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 worr 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. ...more

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