Halfway Normal

Twelve-year-old Norah Levy returns to seventh grade after two years of being away for cancer treatment. She wants to start fresh and keep her past medical history private from her new classmates, hoping to be seen as a normal student rather than "the cancer girl." At school, Norah finds comfort in studying Greek mythology and gradually forms new friendships. She must navigate complex social dynamics while managing her parents' protectiveness and her own desire for independence. Her passion for art and drawing provides an outlet for processing her experiences. The story follows Norah as she tries to reconcile her pre-cancer self with who she is now, and determines how much of her story she wants to share with others. She learns to balance her need for normalcy with honesty about her experiences. Through Norah's journey, the novel explores themes of identity, truth, and the challenge of integrating difficult experiences into one's life story. The narrative illuminates how young people cope with returning to everyday life after major disruptions.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a realistic portrayal of a 7th grader returning to school after cancer treatment. Many found the main character Norah's experiences with re-entry into normal life authentic and relatable. Readers appreciated: - The balanced handling of serious topics without becoming dark - Accurate depiction of middle school social dynamics - Integration of Greek mythology references - Strong supporting characters, especially Norah's friends and family Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more depth in certain side characters - The resolution felt rushed to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) "Dee captures the awkwardness of returning to 'normal' life perfectly," noted one reader review. Another mentioned: "My daughter who went through treatment said this book got the details exactly right."

Wonder by R. J. Palacio A fifth-grade boy with a facial difference navigates school life, friendship challenges, and self-acceptance after years of homeschooling.

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng An eleven-year-old space enthusiast takes a cross-country journey while recording messages about life on Earth for aliens, processing family struggles along the way.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt A sixth-grade girl with dyslexia learns to embrace her differences and finds her place in school with help from a new teacher.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart A boy with cancer embarks on a secret journey to climb Mount Rainier, forcing him to confront both physical and emotional challenges.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan A twelve-year-old genius must rebuild her life and find a new community after losing her parents in a car accident.

📚 Author Barbara Dee was inspired to write "Halfway Normal" after visiting many schools and meeting young cancer survivors who struggled to readjust to everyday life. 🏥 The book accurately portrays the challenges of returning to school after cancer treatment, as Dee consulted with pediatric oncologists and young cancer survivors during her research. 🎨 The main character Norah's connection to Greek mythology serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the story, particularly relating to the myth of Persephone's journey between two worlds. 🌟 "Halfway Normal" was named to the 2018 ILA Young Adults' Choices reading list and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. 💝 The book has become a valuable resource in many school libraries, helping classmates better understand and support peers who are cancer survivors.