Absolutely Normal Chaos

A prequel to the 1995 Newbery Medal winner "Walk Two Moons," "Absolutely Normal Chaos" proves that Sharon Creech is not the kind of author you meet once and forget -- she writes with a memorable voice that speaks directly to the thoughts and feelings of her readers. "Absolutely Normal Chaos" chronicles the daily life of 13-year-old Mary Lou Finney during her most chaotic and romantic summer ever. Sharon Creech fans will recognize Mary Lou Finney and her infamous summer journal from their appearance in "Walk Two Moons." Mary Lou's journal opens with a plea, " Here it is: my summer journal . . But please PLEEEASSSE DON'T READ IT!" What begins grudgingly as a dreaded assignment for school becomes a hilarious chronicle of the circle of people and events that make her summer. There is Carl Ray, the mysterious and troublesome cousin that comes to visit; Beth Ann Bartels, the best friend who's recently gone boy crazy; Alex Cheevy, the boy that makes Mary Lou's brains " mushy" and, of course, the Finney clan, her " normally strange family." What follows is a story of a summer filled with lessons and observations on love, death, friendship and family.