Seriously, Norman!

March 26, 2012
Norman Normann is fairly normal, but when he fails an important exam, his parents hire tutor Balthazar Birdsong to help their son get into an advanced high school. With his tutor's idiosyncratic lessons, Norman quickly begins to see the world and his family in a new light. Narrator Jessie Bernstein creates a light and exuberant voice that is perfect for Norman. However, his narration is often too exaggerated. And while this performance may capture the spirit of the story, it proves a difficult listen. Additionally, other parts of the book don't translate well to audio, particularly sequences when Norman and friend Leonard engage in conversation while executing karate moves on inanimate objects and imaginary villains. While Bernstein's performance is spirited, the frequent cries of "EEEEEEYAAAAA!" will wear on even young listeners. Ages 9â14. A Michael di Capua hardcover.

September 12, 2011
Picture book master Raschka tackles his first novel, a loopy story full of interesting ideas, which sometimes struggle under their weight. Norman Normann, 12, bombs his high school entrance exam, so his daft but concerned parents, Orman and Norma, hire him a tutor. Balthazar Birdsong’s eccentric methods include daily sky observation and A-to-Z reading of a dictionary whose entries (occasionally illustrated by Raschka) seem to foretell events in Norman’s life. Norman’s focus, however, is less on school than on his father’s possibly shady business dealings. This intrigue culminates in a Christmas week trip to Singapore that begins as a rescue mission but ends up an intervention of sorts. Brevity being the soul of wit, the linguistic punniness goes on a bit long, but Norman is a companionable protagonist whose affection for his clueless parents is charming. Time with Mr. B is also well spent—the book is a veritable benefaction for readers’ vocabularies. It’s also easy to love a tutor who declares his mission “is to get your heads and noses out of your textbooks and back into the clouds where they belong.” Ages 9–14.

Norman; his best friend, Leonard; and twins Anna and Emma take it upon themselves to save Norman's used-bomb-selling father and point him in the right direction. This clever story celebrates language with its puns and wordplay (along with quite a few dictionary entries). Jesse Bernstein's narration talents are put to good use in this quirky story. Norman's attempts to save his father and make sense of the world are deftly portrayed by Bernstein, who plays with his delivery to capture the antics and drama of the story. His pacing and cadence are perfect for following the story along its wacky and word-filled journey. Bernstein's narration rockets this book into the imagination. J.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine