Reviews

Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters

thatkorigirl's review against another edition

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3.0

One of my favorite authors during the time wrote this, but beside her others works it pales. The use of tired clichés to define the girls was subpar to her normal brilliant characterizations. The writing style maintained excellence for young adult readers, however, and overall I would easily recommend to any younger middle school readers who enjoy books about what is average.

bibliocat08's review against another edition

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Wow powerful but sad. Read with tissues

allmadhere106's review against another edition

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3.0

Two teenage girls—Antonia and Jazz—fall into peer counseling and hate it due to their apparent differences. Antonia is clean cut and takes care of her family. Her mother is so depressed after Antonia’s father abandons them that she is unable to get out of bed. Antonia thus takes care of her two younger brothers and deals with her advanced schoolwork as well. Jazz is seen as Antonia as a punk, someone not worth sharing space with. After learning more about her, Antonia discovers that Jazz is from an extremely wealthy family and has a mother that pushes for greatness. They slowly work to get past their visible differences and talk to each other so that they can work out their problems. A classic “don’t judge a book by its cover” story. Themes of family and identity.

sucredidymus's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

ariel937's review against another edition

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I don't think there was a single young adult girl who could escape Julie Anne Peters. Back in my day, she really ruled the YA world and was THAT bitch.

raeanne's review against another edition

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5.0

I read this one as a middle-school kid and LOVED it. I can still vividely picture the ending with them. <3

lizaktzxy's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a very charming book. The cover threw me off at first because it gave off the impression of the book being some silly chic-lit. But I was surprised and warmed and left feeling so many other good things.

Although better late than never, I wish I could've read this book when I was 14. The book uses the premise of peer counselling and the power of dialogue to show her audience and help them raise questions about friendship, love, trust, family, peers, individuality and what "normal" really is. Teenage years can be so crappy and teenagers can be so crappy (although, through no fault of their own most of the time) and I genuinely believed while reading it that this book can do a wonderful job of providing some clarity to a young soul. This book serves as a really good channel for lessons which one might keep with them forever.

This book was really thoughtful and nice. I'd recommend it to everyone-old or young, but especially those who are young.

kikide778's review against another edition

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medium-paced

2.0

dlberglund's review against another edition

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2.0

Girls from different backgrounds find common ground. (oops-spoiler. maybe you thought they were only going to judge each other). Meh. I was hoping for more from this author. I didn't find the situations and characters entirely believable, and I just wanted to finish as quickly as possible.

cuteasamuntin's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0