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Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

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Addie's life is full of "twists and turns" and keeps her always "waiting for normal". She and her mom, who comes and goes, sometimes leaving Addie, who is 12, alone for days, find themselves living in a trailer, under a train. Addie's stepfather, Dwight, still gives them money and is, in fact, responsible for making sure they have at least a trailer to live in. Addie's two little half-sisters live with Dwight and Addie misses them and her loving stepfather terribly. Her life in the trailer has it's shining moments; like making new friends with the owners of the corner store, making it into the concert orchestra at her new school, all the while dealing with her learning disorder she refers to as "a lack of the love of learning". Told in first person, the optimistic Addie tells a story that is heartwarming and inspiring. Quite suitable for 4th grade and up.

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