Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters

Can a "normal" person trust a psycho freaky whacked-out punker?" Antonia, the main
character of the story (Define "normal"), is a fourteen year old middle schooler. She is a straight "A" student, enrolled in math club and used to do gymnastics. As the kind person Antonia is, she councils the freaky whacked-out punker......... Jazz. But to Antonia's surprise, Jazz may just become her best friend.

Taking care of, and supporting your whole family is enough. Along with counseling,, Antonia barely has time for herself. Although she is only in the eighth grade, she's the one in charge at home. Antonia's mother, has a strong case of depression, which doesn't allow her to have much personality, or strength. I can't even imagine being the one to do all the cleaning, and feed my whole family every day of my life.

Jazz and Antonia continued with their counseling.. The meetings, weren't getting much better. Each... Each time, more information about eachother leaked out. Some didn't always want to be This adventually lead to a closer relationship between Jazz and Antonia. Antonia didn't know it but; Jazz was helping her with her struggles more than she was helping Jazz.

One day, all evil broke loose. Antonia's mother was just about finished. Meaning. . At. . . the worst she had ever been. Antonia had to do something. And who did she call? Jazz. Before Antonia could blink an eye, Jazz and her mother were there to save the day.

Later on; it was no longer in the hands of Antonia. Her and her brothers spent the weekend at Jazz's house. But soon, Antonia was surprised with a knock at the door from the child services. They were there to take care of Antonia and her two brothers, and inform them about their mother, who was very ill at the time. From here on out, I guess I would say things get better . . But I guess you'll never know, unless you read the book.

Overall, definitely recommend this book to others; preferably girls, just because it's about two teenage girls. I also would say that the beginning of the book is a little slow, but once you get to know the characters, it becomes more interesting.. I really thought it was fun relating myself to Jazz and Antonia, because they are such opposites, as well am I. I think that if I was friends with one of them; it would probably be neither. They are so different that I would most likely be right in between. I think that if you're looking for a humorous, exciting, book that you can relate to, this is the book for you.

By Ravyn Newsom