Absolutely Normal Chaos (Paperback)

by Sharon Creech (Author) "I wish someone would tell me exactly what a journal is..." (more)
Key Phrases: stupid bed, anybody asking, pajama party, Carl Ray, Beth Ann, Mary Lou (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In what by now must be a subgenre in YA fiction-the novel cast as a journal written for an English assignment-Newbery Medalist Creech (Walk Two Moons) spins an affable if formulaic tale about one pivotal summer. Narrator Mary Lou, 13, the second of the five Finney children, is quite put out when she has to play maid for her uncommunicative cousin Carl Ray, 17, who comes to stay while he looks for a job. He gets one, to Mary Lou's surprise, at the hardware store owned by their new neighbor Mr. Furtz, who shortly afterward dies of a heart attack. Not only does Carl Ray remain in his new job, but an anonymous benefactor leaves him money-just like in Great Expectations, as Mary Lou points out. There the resemblance to Dickens ends: the astute reader will early on figure out the mystery behind Carl Ray's inheritance. Mary Lou is also slow to pick up clues about why her cute classmate Alex is always hanging around. Despite the occasionally creaky plot, Mary Lou's bouncy entries are still a lot of fun. Readers will enjoy her wry commentary on The Odyssey (on the school reading list), and girls especially will identify with Mary Lou's disgust at the giddy behavior of boy-crazy best friend Beth Ann and her own giggly rhapsodies on her first romance ("I am sooooo happeeeeee I can hardly stand it!"). Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9?Creech's newest story is told as a summer journal begrudgingly started as an English assignment. Mary Lou, 13, wonders if kisses with boys really taste like chicken; if her best friend will ever shut up about her new boyfriend; and how her visiting cousin, Carl Ray, can be such a silent clod, especially when someone has anonymously given him $5000. Later, when he is in a coma following a car accident, she rereads her journal and wonders how she could have been so unseeing. Mary Lou is a typical teen whose acquaintance with the sadder parts of life is cushioned by a warm and energetic family. Her entertaining musings on Homer, Shakespeare, and Robert Frost are drawn in nifty parallels to what is happening in her own life. When forbidden by her mother to say "God," "stupid," and "stuff," she makes a trek to the thesaurus to create some innovative interjections. Creech's dialogue is right on target. Her characterization is nicely done also. By comparison, this book is differently voiced than Walk Two Moons (HarperCollins, 1994), lacks that book's masterful imagery, and is more superficial in theme; but appropriately so. Creech has remained true to Mary Lou, who is a different narrator, and one who will win many fans of her own. Those in search of a light, humorous read will find it; those in search of something a little deeper will also be rewarded.?Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406326
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406321
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,851 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alpha and Omega!, January 29, 2000

By A Customer

I remember when I got this book in my Easter basket two years ago. I picked it up, and didn't stop reading until I was finished. Since then I've read it about 65 times, and I still read it almost every day. "Absolutely Normal Chaos" led me to read "The Odyssey," which is another one of my favourites, and I've also taken up Mary Lou's expressions such as Omnipotent, cabbageheaded and all that other sum and substance. It is also my inspiration for journaling. I recommend "Absolutely Normal" to absolutely everyone I meet. And they all tell me I'm exactly like Mary Lou... har har har. Anyway, I guess I should go ahead and review the book.

Absolutely Normal Chaos is about a 13-year-old girl named Mary Lou Finney who is assigned by her English teacher, Mrs. Zollar, to keep a journal over the summer. Mary Lou has no idea what a journal really is, so she decides to just write away and hope she's doing it right. Over the summer, Mary Lou's cousin, Carl Ray, comes to stay with her family. She also becomes involved with Alex Cheevey, a boy from school. What happens next is an odyssey in itself, and I don't want to give away the ending to this wonderful book.

For my final sentence, two words: READ IT!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Normal Chaos- FANTASTIC!, February 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

OK, it says above that I am 12, but I am actually 14, because I don't want to open an account with Amazon but I do want to review this book as it is really fantastic.

Absolutely Normal Chaos tells the story of 13-year-old Mary Lou Finney, and one summer of her life. During this summer she is assigned by her teacher to keep a journal. This is a perfect portrayal of adolescence, and change. It explores different themes but it such an easy-going read that anyone will enjoy it. If you are looking for an easy, fun read, go for this, but if you are expecting something a little deeper, go for Walk Two Moons, another book by Sharon Creech which is also amazing but is a little less superficial than this. I utterly enjoyed Absolutely Normal Chaos, and I'm sure any other teenage girl would too as it deals with the sort of issues that we stress about. Great!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME!!!!!, May 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

Mary Lou Finney and her best friend Beth Ann plan to spend the whole summer together-but plans change. Her cousin comes to her house from out of town. Mary Lou's family assume that hes looking for a job but there's something he's not telling them. Ride along with Mary Lou Finney and her CRAZY adventures to find out the truth about Carl Ray. If you've ever read any of her other books I would say Absolutely Normal Chaos is the BEST! I gave it five stars because it was an exciting, mysterious, great book and I recommend it to everyone!