Define 'Normal'

By: Julie Anne Peters

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

This thoughtful, wry story is 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.

©2014 Julie Anne Peters (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Heartfelt, Heartbreaking and Well-Acted

What made the experience of listening to Define 'Normal' the most enjoyable?

Definitely the voice acting. Christine Larkin not only perfectly imitated a very young boy, but also a toddler, and both French and Hispanic accents. Not many people can handle doing all those things in the same book.

Would you recommend Define 'Normal' to your friends? Why or why not?

I'm not sure. The story can get pretty dark and beautifully heartbreaking at times, but it was nice to see some real issues being tackled, such as living with a parent's depression.

Which character – as performed by Christine Lakin – was your favorite?

I feel she puts just the right amount of toughness into the character of Jazz, yet can easily take it down a notch whenever the performance needs it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

We each have our own cross to bear.

Any additional comments?

The one minor issue I had was that this title is always grouped together with "lesbian teen" related books, and so I kept waiting for a lesbian relationship to form between Jazz and Antonia. But only now do I see that it's just because of the other books in Julie Ann Peters' ouvre.

The "poor rich girl growing up with expectations from her parents so bad that she totally bucks them" thing is also pretty overdone, as is the "two opposite people becoming friends" thing, but that doesn't really detract from the overall greatness of the story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Define 'Normal' by Julie Anne Peters

If you could sum up Define 'Normal' in three words, what would they be?

NORMAL MEETS GOTH
I listened to this amazing audiobook from the Hub Challenge and LOVED it. Both girls are fantastic protagonists, although the story is told solely from Antonia's point of view; she is peer counseling Jazz Luther who is the total opposite of Antonia. As I listened to this compelling audiobook I realized why I love Julie Ann Peters books- she gets teens. This book is no different- both Jazz and Antonia have "stuff" going on and teens will love reading or listening to this book; can seeming "opposites" get along, trust each other, and become friends? Highly recommended!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Antonia because she 'seemed' more normal than Jazz. Antonia is a straight A student and her view of life is getting more and more murky--thank goodness for the peer counseling. I think that became her life line as well as her new friendship with Jazz.

Have you listened to any of Christine Lakin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first and I want to listen to more of her performances:)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Antonia got Jazz to play the piano; I think it was a defining moment for both of them although they do not realize it at the time.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this Amazing Audiobook as part of The 2015 Hub Challenge and loved this oldy but goody book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The voice actor, Christine Lakin was simply amaxin

I loved it. The amazing narrator plus the great story. It was a pleasure to finish

Well written YA friendship novel

am rating this base do it being a YA (teen) read, and it is something I would recommend.

There enough ratings here so I will just summarize:

- easy read, and I enjoyed listening
- I wanted to hear what would happen next
- I could predict the plot
- Not all the characters were believable. I had a problem with the contradictions in Jasmine .
- The deception of depression and impact on family makes this a noteworthy read.
- I dont think it had a lot of "normal" teen issues which a YA would relate to.
- Tech and slang seemed out of time period (set in the 1990s?)
- I would recommend this book strongly to any YA or teen reader.
- book is a story of to people becoming friends and helping each other
- It has happy ending

There a plot miss, where I had hoped for Jasmine to face up her the difference of her issues against the really difficult home life of the protagonist. I was expecting this for a few chapters but it did not happen, and Jasmine seemed rather non-nonchalant about the situation not offering any strong supported. To me this was a missed opportunity for more drama and friendship bond.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Beautiful💙👏😊

loved it, interesting and heartwarming. saved lots is time listening to it😊. Julie Anne Peters is an amazingly talented author!

superb

I haven't enjoyed a book as much as this one in a while, I love the voicing and the way it is written is so...real!! A must listen!