Absolutely Normal Chaos

Absolutely Normal Chaos is one of Sharon Creech's four novels for children, including the prizewinning Walk Two Moons (1995 Children's Book Award and W H Smith Mind Boggling Books Award1996). Creech's hallmark is a funny, poignant, involving narrative which leaves the reader guessing and at the same time savouring delights along the road. Absolutely Normal Chaos takes the form of daily journal entries by the delightful Ohio 13-year-old, Mary Lou Finney. Things seem ordinary enough until her gangly 17-year-old cousin, Carl Ray from West Virginia, comes to stay. Before she knows it, their next door neighbour has died, Carl Ray has inherited large sums of money and she finds herself falling in love for the first time. And then, as though that wasn't enough, Carl Ray nearly dies in a car accident. The learning curve for Mary Lou is as steep as the enjoyment curve for the reader who could be anyone between the ages of 12 and 16. --Tamsin Palmer

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SO FUNNY! - Rated
This book is really worth reading!

Mary Lou Finney is 13 years old, with 4 other siblings. (that's where the chaos part comes in)
The book is written as Mary's summer journal which she has to write for English. You see all her summer holidays from her point of view.
A great book! It makes you laugh and cry (tears of joy & saddness).

You should read it, well worth the little time we have in our chaotic lives!

This is one of the best books I have ever read! - Rated
I got this book for my Christmas a year or so ago, from my mum. She got it from a book club magazine. It's absolutely brilliant! The way that Sharon Creech writes makes me laugh, and I cried too! It's a great book, all about typical teenage life!

As I'm the same age as Mary Lou, the main character, I can really relate to her, and she's taught me one or two things!

I recommend this book to any teenage girl who'd like a laugh!

A GREAT BOOK TO READ!!! - Rated
Sharon Creech is a great author that knows how to actually make the book and characters seem...real! I think that her idea of writing in a journal form is a great idea, and you get more details of what Mary actually thinks of the people around her.

Mary Lou is like any other 13 year old girl that ends up finding summer love, and having to put up with her family. When her cousin from Virgina comes down looking for a job, she really doesn't like him, and ends up having to do everything for him. Mary Lou finds out a HUGE secret about her cousin later on in the book, and starts to like him after something serious happens to him.

This book is a diary of a 13 year old girl. - Rated
Mary Lou Finney is asked to write a journal over the summer holidays. She writes about boys, friends, and her cousin who comes to stay. It is very funny and I would recommend it to girls aged 11 - 14.

(too good for words!) - Rated
written in the style of a 13-year-olds journal with a book review, playscript and who-dunnit incorperated. A perfect 'lying-in-bed' sort of book.