Speaking Volumes

Last year one of our Columbia patrons came in and gave us a book that her daughter had written AND signed for us. Very nice of her, right?

The book was Waiting for Normal, by Leslie Connor.

Soon after we got it I started noticing all the starred reviews and buzz surrounding the book, and more recently it was the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award. So, the kids in the Book Thieves (our Book Club for grades 5-8) decided they wanted to read it, and planned on making it our selection for May.

Long story short, Leslie found out we were reading her book and contacted me to say she would come to our book club!

Ok, get ready for some unabashed gushing about Leslie and her book.

First of all I loved the book, and so did all the kids- really they’re a very honest crowd and would have no problem critiquing if they didn’t like it. It’s a hopeful, sad, and optimistic story all at the same time. Here’s a quick description from the book jacket:

“Addie is waiting for normal. But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way. All or nothing never adds up to normal. All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day. In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal.”

Leslie was awesome! The kids had TONS of questions and Leslie spent two hours answering them all and signing everything from books to paper plates with very sweet personal messages.

The kids asked her a lot about where her ideas came from and how much came from her real life. They asked her about writing, her characters, and how she came up with the title. She told us that she was inspired to write the story by a real trailer on a corner lot in Schenectady, New York. She said none of the characters were people she knew in real life but most were composites of different people. Leslie told us the book had been a ‘light edit,’ she didn’t have to change too much, but did add in one specific chapter at her editor’s request. We also found out that the paperback will be out soon with a new cover- so keep your eyes peeled. We wrapped up the night by making toast snacks – if you want to know why you’ll have to read the book!

I could go on and on, but this post is getting a little long!

So, Leslie, if you read this – thanks SO much for coming. For anyone else reading this, stop by today to pick up Waiting for Normal – you will not be disappointed!

Also by Leslie Connor: