This week I decided to read “Waiting for Normal” by Leslie Connor. When I started reading this I thought to myself, “Why can’t I just pick out a book that is happy and won’t make me cry?!” This book is written from the perspective of Addie, a young teenager from a broken family. Addie lost her father at a young age and so her mom, who she referred to as “Mommers”, married Dwight. The marriage started falling apart and Mommers developed problems of her own. She would leave days at a time and Addie would be left to take care of her two little sisters without any help. Dwight and her mom split up and Mommers keeps Addie while Brynna and Katie go to live with Dwight. Dwight buys Mommers and Addie a trailer while he and the “Littles” go off to another town so he can start making money to pay off some bills. Addie starts making friends at school and at the minimart across the street and it seems that everything is starting to look up again. But Mommers gets back into her original ways and Addie is left to take care of herself and be her own hero. Addie tells about the problems she deals with at school and talks about her friend, Soula, from the minimart and her fight with breast cancer. Even though this book had many ups and downs, the ending was a relief although I won’t tell you how it ends.:) This was such a great book filled with twists and turns and I didn’t want to ever put it down! I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
tessabenson 
Good post, it really makes me want to read this book just to see what the ending is. It sounds like a very sad book with a lot of sad events throughout the book. I feel like there are a lot of kids that can relate to this book as well so I’m sure they would appreciate it if the teacher would read it out loud.
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This sounds like a wonderful book. I would really enjoy to read. I do think kids could relate and connect themselves to this book. Though reading your description I am not sure I would cry with this book either. I think the story line behind this book sounds very powerful and intriguing and that’s what makes me want to read it. I will have to check it out! Great Post!
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I think you did a really good job with this post. I have not read Waiting for Normal but it sounds like a very good book. It sounds like a sad book as well but I will take my chances and read it sometime. You also gave a really nice summary of the book as well.
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Thank you! The happy out weighs the sad in this book!
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This book sounds absolutely amazing, even though it is sad. I think it is a really great book to read for two reasons. It is a good book as a teacher to read because it can better help us relate to students who are going through a rough time at home. The second reason why it is a good book to read is for students. It gives them something to relate to if they are having a rough time at home and are struggling at home and at school. I really want to know what happens at the end so I just might have to grab it and read it. Great post!
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Thank you! I think it would be great to read in the classroom. It is worth the read so I would recommend you read it!
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This sounds like a great book. So many students face difficulties that I think a book like this would be great to read so they know they are not alone.
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That is exactly what I thought too!
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I am happy you did not give away the ending, than I thought “no I’m not” because I am also weary of sad reads, so now I am wondering how the story ends. I am one of those readers who does not feel jinxed if I know the ending and it will not keep me from reading the book. So now your book is in my want to read pile, hopefully someone will give away the ending in a review and if it’s happy it will go to my just read pile. Thanks for your review.
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Thank you! The ending is too good to not read yourself:)
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This sounds like an emotional book! I do enjoy these kind of books though. I like that there are realistic fiction books like this for kids to read because kids who are going through tough times need a book they can relate to. Are you going to pick a happier book for this week?
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I agree completely! It’s nice to know that someone is going through the same things you are. Yes, I do plan on picking a happier book for this week!:)
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This sounds like a book that would keep you on your toes. Every time something good happens you would be waiting for something to happen. I can see why you might not want to put it down. I like reading books about overcoming adversity. I
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I actually read this book a few weeks into the class! I’m not sure if I posted about it or not, but I really liked it! I could not put it down! There were several instances in the book when I found myself tearing up because I could not imagine living the life that Addie did. When one of her only friends Sala dies, I finally lost it! I really loved this book and it was a fairly easy read! Great post this week!
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Thank you! I agree, it was so sad to learn how Addie lived and I couldn’t keep it together most of the time!
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This sounds like a great book with a roller coaster of emotions! I will probably cry for sure, but I think it would be worth it to read! 🙂 Great post
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Thanks Kae!:) It is worth the read for sure!
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This book sounds like a good book to read. Your summary leads someone in and makes them want to read it so they can find out themselves just how it turns out! Good job
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Thank you! It was a very good book
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