Not So Normal Norbert
James Patterson & Joey Green
Jimmy Patterson Books/Little Brown, 2018
349 pages
Grades 4-7
Science Fiction/Humor
In near-future Earth life is very dull. The weather is grey, the
clothing is grey, pretty much the whole world is grey. Even worse, no one is
allowed to have an unusual or creative thought or be different in any way.
Bored out of his mind and missing his parents who were arrested years ago by
the truth police, Norbert entertains his class with a hysterical impression of
Loving Leader that lands him in prison. He is deemed "different and
dangerous" and sent to a distant planet where other creative renegades are
exiled. Here he meets some interesting young people, yet he resists giving in
to his artistic impulses. Norbert is determined to prove that he is not
different in order to be sent back to Earth to find his parents. The call of an
improv troupe becomes too irresistible to pass up and he reluctantly
gets involved--and excels. The troupe puts together a comedy show with Norbert's
impression as the cornerstone and himself as the director. The show is filmed
with the camp’s equipment and is accidentally televised back to every
screen on Earth. Loving Leader is furious. Will this ruin Norbert's chances to
find his parents?
James Patterson adds to his stable of highly readable series with this latest creation. Science fiction and humor combine to make a high-interest and entertaining story, sure to entice reluctant readers, even boys who don't think that they like to read. The book is long at first glance, but the chapters are short with cliff-hangers, the action never stops, and surprises and twist abound. To further add to the appeal each chapter contains a black and white comic illustration complimenting the text. The fact that Loving Leader is the ruler of the whole world and has time to personally chew-out Norbert for misdirection is a bit implausible, as are other plot points, yet readers won't care. Norbert is a character that class clowns and kids who struggle with keeping still will relate to and the target audience will cheer as he gains confidence and the respect of others. The secondary characters are deliciously quirky and will appeal to creative nerds everywhere. The story ends a little too happy, but readers will find it satisfying, even as certain threads are meant to dangle loosely, encouraging kids to crack into the next series installment, who's release date is yet to be announced.
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