Chasing Normal
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- 4,99 €
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- 4,99 €
Publisher Description
High school sophomore Annie Smith is just hoping to live a normal life after she moves from Arkansas to the quiet little town of Reston, Texas. But it does not take long for her new friends to figure out that Annie is anything but normal. Annies goal is to fly under the radar drawing as little attention to herself as possible. But she soon discovers that being normal does not always bring happiness.
Melinda Chip Fullerton is a gifted athlete with two wishesto be taller and to be on a good team for once. As she starts her junior year of high school, it looks like both her wishes will go unfulfilleduntil Annie shows up. Immediately suspicious of Annies baggy clothes and athletic abilities, Chip enlists Luke Slowinski, sports editor for the school newspaper, to do some undercover sleuth work that eventually reveals the truth: Annie is not who she appears to be.
This is a story that illustrates the importance of building character as well as talent, Annie soon learns that a new beginning is all she needs to finally embrace her true self.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this earnest tribute to good sportsmanship, two friends find success on the basketball court while also embracing their inner strengths. Annie Smith is a phenomenal athlete looking for a fresh start when she moves to Reston, Tex. There, calling herself B.A. Smith, she befriends fellow junior Melinda "Chip" Fullerton and joins the girls' basketball team. Although B.A. initially hides her talents, she eventually unleashes her true skills, championing good conduct, respect, and sportsmanship along the way. Rather than a stirring testimony to admirable behavior, the story is overly moralistic. Former high school teacher/coach Hoch is a stickler for details when it comes to the athletic bits, but the narration and dialogue have a tendency to over explain ("Well, there was this one guy, Luke. He was her best friend. They had a lot in common, since they both loved sports so much") Along with numerous unsubtle complaints about grandstanding professionals and bad language, the result is a story that, despite its best intentions and positive message, is out of touch with its intended audience. Ages 12 up.
