Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. 10-13)Ĭhainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.Įvery four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. In the end, her positive attitude and ability to find happiness make all the difference as she patiently waits for “normal.” First-rate. Disappointed and alone, Addie realistically makes the best of a bad situation. Yearning for a “normal” life, Addie’s shaken when her stepfather and sisters move away leaving her on her own with her moody mother who disappears for days. Challenged by dyslexia, Addie works extra hard to succeed in school and learn her flute part in the orchestra. She optimistically starts sixth grade, makes friends, meets her neighbors and keeps house on a shoestring while her unpredictable mother spends days sleeping and nights chatting on the Internet. Addie admits, “I’m good at getting used to things-been doing it all my life,” and immediately makes a cozy nest for herself in the trailer. Life is far from normal as Addie and her irresponsible mother settle into a tiny trailer on the corner of an urban intersection. When a young girl’s parents divorce, she’s separated from her stepfather and her two young half-sisters.

A heroine with spunk and spirit offers an inspiring lesson in perseverance and hope.

Waiting for normal by leslie connor