Getting Back to Normal By Marilyn Levinson
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We give this 4 1/2 paws and if you are looking for a book for your child, definitely check this one out! ~Storeybook Reviews
Levinson has the incredible talent of combining life’s lessons with a bit of fun too, as she incorporates boys, ghosts, a runaway little brother, and an old mystery into this well-written story. ~Cindi at Mommasez……
The author “blends the stress of family life with a touch of paranormal for a light-hearted tale that will have you smiling.” ~Thoughts in Progress
This is a fast easy entertaining read. ~readalot
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Genre: YA/Grades 6-8
Published by: Untreed Reads Publishing
Release Date: May 29, 2013
E-Book File Size: 289 KB
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Synopsis
Sixth-grader Vannie Taylor’s mom has just died. Her father’s completely lost without his wife and brings Vannie and her younger brother to live in a dismal cottage on the estate where he manages craft fairs, dinners, and other events.
A ghost named Archie befriends Vannie, and helps her prepare a wonderful supper for her brother. After Vannie discovers Archie’s secret, he asks Vannie to help him make amends for something in his past. But helping Archie means accepting a very large change in her own life. Things get back to normal for Vannie, but not in a way she’s ever imagined.
My Review
In movies, casting makes or breaks the film. The same can be said for books.
The author has a great cast in Getting Back To Normal.
Vannie’s almost twelve when her father uproots the family and moves them into a dumpy old cottage on the grounds of Merry Mount Gardens, the estate he works for.
She’s not happy with the move and neither is her little brother Robby. He’s obsessed with a stray cat he’s been feeding, Theodore, and worries if the new people living in their old house will take care of him.
Vannie worries about who will take care of them, as her father has immersed himself in matters of the estate and is often absent.
Her father looked to his wife for comfort and support. They all did. She was the glue that held them together.
Now that she’s gone, they are quickly becoming a dysfunctional family.
Vannie’s saving grace is Aunt Mayda. She’s not really her aunt. She was her mothers best friend. She owns Merry Mount and helped them to get the cottage.
Aunt Mayda lives in the city but makes frequent visits, lending her support where needed.
One day, Vannie makes a new friend.
Archibald Heatherton is Mayda’s grandfather. He’s also the resident ghost.
Vannie is the only one who can see him, and he’s asking for her help.
He chose to stay after his “foolish death” to ensure Mayda lives happily ever after.
Vannie thinks it’s a pretty tall order. Does anyone get their happily ever after?
Vannie is a brave young lady. Her situation adds a heavy responsibility on her small shoulders. Her dad is buried in his work, her brother is obsessed with a stray cat, she’s missing her home, her school, her friends.
Now a silly ghost wants a real life fairy tale ending. Can helping Archie maybe help her own family? Will they ever get back to normal? What is normal anyway?
Without Archie the ghost, this could have been a heavy read. Archie, with his backflips and cartwheels, and aura of mystery, lightens the mood, making this a fun story told from Vannie’s point of view.
Getting Back To Normal is for young readers. I’d say middle grade. The characters are real and the situations are true to life, well, except for Archie, and the adventures are exciting. And I’m all for a happily ever after.
This took me back to when I was young and I spent all my time in the library. I would grab my selected books and sit in a quiet corner, reading until it was time to go home. I loved taking those books home, choosing which one to read first, and diving into a new world.
I wish I had young children to share this book with. I would love for them to meet these characters and interrupt me when I’m busy to exclaim about something that happened in the book.
4 Stars
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Marilyn Levinson
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Marilyn Levinson, a former Spanish teacher, writes mysteries, romance, and books for children and young adults.
Her romantic suspense, DANGEROUS RELATIONS, is a love story entwined with an intriguing mystery. GIVING UP THE GHOST is an entertaining ghost mystery. The first of her Twin Lakes Mysteries, A MURDERER AMONG US, was awarded a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine. A new edition of A MURDERER AMONG US and its sequel, MURDER IN THE AIR, will be out soon.
A ghost, a mansion, and a feral Maine Coon cat feature in Marilyn’s brand new YA, GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. Three of her popular out-of-print children’s books, AND DON’T BRING JEREMY, NO BOYS ALLOWED, and RUFUS AND MAGIC RUN AMOK are now available as ebooks.
Marilyn is co-founder and past-president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on Long Island.
Links: web page: http://www.marilynlevinson.com Untreed Reads books: http://goo.gl/ktYzs Amazon page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson
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I have one ebook of Getting Back To Normal to giveaway!
To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question,
“What’s your favorite fairy tale?”
Giveaway ends August 19th.
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- Getting Back to Normal Review and Giveaway (ccclubbs.com)
