Julietta Henderson

What a fun book! When I chose it to read, I actually knew nothing about it except that people were talking about it being a good recommendation for someone looking for a book that is funny.

I'm not sure it that funny, but it was a fun book. Norman is the 12 year old lead character whose best friend has recently died. His mom does her best to keep them afloat, and hopes that Norman will eventually be able to laugh again. Along comes Leonard to graciously help them with a plan that will either break Norman or rebuild him.

With a setting in Southwest England, and Scotland, this book has lots to offer.

I really enjoy the author's writing style. I will look for more books written by her.… (mer)

i loved this. it is pitch perfect. full of grief and love and getting by. of growing up and of being more like the kid or the adult you've wanted to be. it's really really beautiful. but also funny in more places than i expected, once it got started. (i picked it up thinking it would be a middle grade book that would be funny, but immediately it was apparent that this was an adult book that would be touching and hard, but it did still manage to be funny throughout. and so sweet, but not overly so.)

i loved almost everything about this. it got to be just a little bit too much at the end or it would have gotten 5 stars. (it felt like she took it just a little too far on the adventure with james and also that it seemed clear that it was something with iris from the beginning. i actually thought that she'd died, but never once thought leonard could be the one with dementia. these are minor, though, when the book is this outstanding all around.… (mer)

This was a delightfully sweet story full of quirky characters and an entertaining plot with a heartwarming conclusion. Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his friend Jax have a five-year-plan to perform as a comedy duo at the Edinburgh Fringe. Tragically, Jax dies and Norman feels compelled to perform at the Fringe this year to honor his BFF, even though Norman is the straight man. Despite his death, Jax is still a significant character as both Norman and his single mom, Sadie, recall so many things Jax said and did.

So the story soon becomes a road trip as Sadie and Norman travel to Edinburgh. Another major character in this uplifting debut novel is endearing octogenarian Leonard Cobcroft, who provides the transport, creates Norman's image and marketing, and shares quite a bit of internet-learned facts.

The chapters alternate points of view between Sadie and Norman, and along the way we meet several new characters as Norman has asked Sadie to try and locate Norman's actual birth father. She comes up with several possibilities and Leonard's spread sheet with names and contact info helps to keep everyone organized. During the trip, Norman continues to hone his comedy routine in a few comedy clubs.

I highly recommend this skillfully written coming-of-age novel that deals with grief and growth, trust and hope, families and friendship.… (mer)