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Not So Normal Norbert
James Patterson's rollicking new middle grade novel is a hilarious adventure into a futuristic world, where different is dangerous, imagination is insanity, and creativity is crazy!Norbert Riddle lives in the United State of Earth, where normal means following the rules, never standing out, and being exactly the same as everyone else, down to the plain gray jumpsuits he wears everyday. He's been normal his whole life--until a moment of temporary hilarity when he does a funny impression of their dictator, Loving Leader...and gets caught!Now, Norbert's been arrested and banished to planet Zorquat 3 in the Orion Nebula, where kids who defy the rules roam free in the Astronuts camp. Norbert has been taught his whole life that different is wrong, but everyone at Astronuts is crazy, creative, and insane! Norbert wants nothing more than to go back to earth where things are awful but at least they're familiar. But he soon realizes that being different could be better--and maybe the crazy farm is exactly where he belongs after all.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2018
139 people are currently reading
2830 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
954 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 2, 2018
I tend to review books from the more select small presses, but every once in a while, a mass market release catches my attention. Such is the case with Not So Normal Norbert, a fun summer read for middle graders. Patterson and Green’s science fiction fantasy is full of quirky humor and adventure and takes a stand for being different and creative, especially where homogeneity and conformity are championed. Norbert Riddle lives in the United State of Earth and being normal there means following the rules. But thanks to a lapse in youthful silliness, Norbert gets caught doing a funny impression of the dictator, Loving Leader, and is exiled to Astronuts on planet Zorquat 3, a camp where kids who break the rules can express themselves. Patterson’s collaboration with Joey Green, a long-time humor writer for adults, brings fresh ideas to the Jimmy Books series and a playful whimsy to the narrative that will win readers over.
January 2, 2019
What a great story on so many levels. As I said earlier this is like taking the classic novel 1984 and retelling it so it's appropriate for children. The messages resonate and ring equally loud and clear. "Insanity gives you personality" is my new favorite mantra;) It's a book that makes you go hmmmmm...thought provoking and truly enjoyable.
February 20, 2023
This book had twists, turns, funny moments, sad moments and much more! Would definitely recommend to anyone who's looking for something fun to read!
June 30, 2018
4.5 🌟
This was a fantastic book with lots of humor but also a wonderful message about freedom of expression and making sure to always be yourself. I did feel there were a few moments when things moved a little too slowly but otherwise it was an interesting story that kept me coming back for more.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves middle grade books or is looking for a good laugh. This is perfect for someone who always felt like they were different/not normal.
I received an ARC at BookCon. The above is my honest opinion.
This was a fantastic book with lots of humor but also a wonderful message about freedom of expression and making sure to always be yourself. I did feel there were a few moments when things moved a little too slowly but otherwise it was an interesting story that kept me coming back for more.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves middle grade books or is looking for a good laugh. This is perfect for someone who always felt like they were different/not normal.
I received an ARC at BookCon. The above is my honest opinion.
July 23, 2018
I really loved this book! Norbert is a really funny character and his jokes are laugh-out-loud hysterical. This book is a real page-turner with fun characters, lots of adventure, and a fun twist ending. If you like crazy adventures and lots of jokes, youll love this book. I hope there’s a sequel!
September 27, 2018
Set in the future when mankind has been able to settle on a number of planets and earth has been united under the United State of Earth, this is the tale of Norbert Riddle, who has an unhealthy sense of humor in a culture that does everything it can to crush individualism. Under the Loving Leader, all creativity is discouraged and everyone does everything they can to be normal and not stand out. To not do so is a horrible thing, which is something that Norbert knows personally because his parents were taken away by the state.
While having a particularly bad day at school, Norbert loses his temple and decides to get up on his teacher's desk and do a routine in which he mocks the Loving Leader. Of course, this leads to some trouble of his own and he is arrested and sent to the prison planet Zorquat 3 in the Orion Nebula.
Zorquat 3 is meant to be a punishment, but the kids who have been sent there have taken advantage of the opportunity away from the prying eyes of the stateto break the rules. The prison is referred to as Astronuts Camp, and everyone there seems dedicated to exploring the various creative arts from painting to dance to comedy.
At first Norbert wants to avoid falling outside the normal blandness that he is supposed to follow so that he can try and get information about where his parents were sent, but he can't avoid being pulled into the opportunities that Zorquat has to offer.
I have to say this is my least favorite of Patterson's children's books to date. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of meat to the plot and it seems overly long.
While having a particularly bad day at school, Norbert loses his temple and decides to get up on his teacher's desk and do a routine in which he mocks the Loving Leader. Of course, this leads to some trouble of his own and he is arrested and sent to the prison planet Zorquat 3 in the Orion Nebula.
Zorquat 3 is meant to be a punishment, but the kids who have been sent there have taken advantage of the opportunity away from the prying eyes of the stateto break the rules. The prison is referred to as Astronuts Camp, and everyone there seems dedicated to exploring the various creative arts from painting to dance to comedy.
At first Norbert wants to avoid falling outside the normal blandness that he is supposed to follow so that he can try and get information about where his parents were sent, but he can't avoid being pulled into the opportunities that Zorquat has to offer.
I have to say this is my least favorite of Patterson's children's books to date. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of meat to the plot and it seems overly long.
September 28, 2018
This is a book that will definitely make you have a good laugh. Somewhat like a funny version of "Nineteen Eighty-Four" (a horror I had to study in highschool and never did read from cover to cover, besides it being so corrupt and evil.) I've never read any other books by James Patterson.
Norbert is a rather likeable boy who even though he appears to be the same as everyone else (awfully boring and dull) has lost his parents who were arrested years ago by the Truth Police which actually makes Norbert different from some other kids.
Brought up in a totalitarian society run by Loving Leader (Remember Big Brother!) who is anything but! Everything on Earth is grey - clothes, house, skies. And there are Truthscreens which monitor your every move!
After his horrible teacher leaves the room following her snide remarks to Norbert about his missing parents, he reacts by poking fun at the dictator which results in him being arrested and exiled to a far off planet. The place is occupied by other exiled kids and it tuns out that Loving Leader is doing them a favour as they can be as different as they like.
The place is like a pristine earth without cities, full of trees, grass and colourful flowers and crazy, creative kids! Things are really nutty.
Probably the only thing I didn't really like was Norbert going mushy and kissing his girlfriend - and he's only twelve which is too young to indulge in that sort of stuff. But you'll love the action and find out about other kids' characters and talents
It looks like there will be a sequel and I'm looking forward to that.
Norbert is a rather likeable boy who even though he appears to be the same as everyone else (awfully boring and dull) has lost his parents who were arrested years ago by the Truth Police which actually makes Norbert different from some other kids.
Brought up in a totalitarian society run by Loving Leader (Remember Big Brother!) who is anything but! Everything on Earth is grey - clothes, house, skies. And there are Truthscreens which monitor your every move!
After his horrible teacher leaves the room following her snide remarks to Norbert about his missing parents, he reacts by poking fun at the dictator which results in him being arrested and exiled to a far off planet. The place is occupied by other exiled kids and it tuns out that Loving Leader is doing them a favour as they can be as different as they like.
The place is like a pristine earth without cities, full of trees, grass and colourful flowers and crazy, creative kids! Things are really nutty.
Probably the only thing I didn't really like was Norbert going mushy and kissing his girlfriend - and he's only twelve which is too young to indulge in that sort of stuff. But you'll love the action and find out about other kids' characters and talents
It looks like there will be a sequel and I'm looking forward to that.
February 8, 2024
I just finished rereading this super fun book. I have a few different opinions than I did on the first read, when I was 14 or so, since I’m older. I still hold to the opinion it’s a super fun book, but I’ll drop my rating from 4 stars to 3.5 stars. (Ugh, I’ve been half-starring so much lately, I’m beginning to think I’m just plain indecisive. Which is kinda true. I need a rating system…)
The beginning, I admit, while captivating (you want to know what’s gonna happen to Norbert), is also a bit of a drag. Norbert refuses to give in to the creative gifts he’s been given, and tries to get back to Earth. It’s a little frustrating. Hoping and praying that Norbert will finally join in the fun. Luckily he does, but it takes a while. A little more than half the book, I think.
The characters are all still super fun. I love Drew, Roger, Sophie, Charlene, Large Marge, Bucky, Crazy Swayzee, Dominic, Farley, Sergeant Sergeant…. The whole crew. They are all so unique, clever, and funny.
Somehow I didn’t remember that this book is written in present-tense. I am not the biggest fan of that POV, but I got over it for this one, since it’s a book I’ve enjoyed before. 😉
I’m tired of all the crushes littering MG fiction these days, though. I understand that 11 or 12 is about the age where you start getting silly little fancies for your friends of the opposite gender (I’m quite guilty myself), but I don’t think it’s exactly appropriate to encourage a full-on cromance (crush romance) as an adult writer. You know, with kissing and dates…. Because while it’s okay to hang out with friends—and I would even say it’s okay to have those silly crushes, and it’s okay to write them in fiction every once in a while, as it does make a good bit of lighthearted humor—it encourages premature relationships, and well… when you’re 12, you have a lot more maturing to do, so don’t bother dating when you’re not planning on marriage, as your fancies are just gonna change as the temperature does.
Oh, and also, I noticed a tiny bit of programming… Small scene, big impact kind of thing. The Backwards Day scene, where they’re having dinner for breakfast, they say Grace before the meal. Crazy Swayzee says the prayer, and Norbert asks who they’re praying to. His answer is “a higher power”, and Dominic adds “You can believe whatever you want to believe.” I just want to mention that there is a BIG difference between being yourself and believing whatever you want. That’s why they’re putting litter boxes in elementary school bathrooms, guys…. Because playing imagination suddenly makes it so. Those kids are expressing themselves . (Please note my sarcasm.) *sigh* Can no one play pretend anymore without being pushed to start a movement?
I don’t want to leave you all on a depressing note, though, so I’ll go on. I do love the theme of being yourself, and enjoying what you like to do (as long as what you like to do isn’t sinful…. Because killers like to kill…). All the kids were so clever, and I know many grown ups who get big smiles on their faces from clever kids having fun together. This book has all those sorts of moments. And the improv…. Comedy sketch is my favorite kind of humor, so I loved reading all the funny situations they thought up. This is a good read for when you just want something light and fun to make you laugh. There are a couple of bittersweet moments, but yes. Do read this if you want some funnies to brighten your day.
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It's been a while since I've read this, but definitely worth a re-read. The characters are fun, the situations are funny. I really liked Roger, even though he was jealous of Norbert, and rather snobby. My favorite scenes were the improv games (me and my siblings like to play those sometimes now, though since we don't have a huge audience, it makes it a little more difficult.)
The ending was a bittersweet one. <3 Who doesn't love a book where every character makes you smile in one way or another?!
The beginning, I admit, while captivating (you want to know what’s gonna happen to Norbert), is also a bit of a drag. Norbert refuses to give in to the creative gifts he’s been given, and tries to get back to Earth. It’s a little frustrating. Hoping and praying that Norbert will finally join in the fun. Luckily he does, but it takes a while. A little more than half the book, I think.
The characters are all still super fun. I love Drew, Roger, Sophie, Charlene, Large Marge, Bucky, Crazy Swayzee, Dominic, Farley, Sergeant Sergeant…. The whole crew. They are all so unique, clever, and funny.
Somehow I didn’t remember that this book is written in present-tense. I am not the biggest fan of that POV, but I got over it for this one, since it’s a book I’ve enjoyed before. 😉
I’m tired of all the crushes littering MG fiction these days, though. I understand that 11 or 12 is about the age where you start getting silly little fancies for your friends of the opposite gender (I’m quite guilty myself), but I don’t think it’s exactly appropriate to encourage a full-on cromance (crush romance) as an adult writer. You know, with kissing and dates…. Because while it’s okay to hang out with friends—and I would even say it’s okay to have those silly crushes, and it’s okay to write them in fiction every once in a while, as it does make a good bit of lighthearted humor—it encourages premature relationships, and well… when you’re 12, you have a lot more maturing to do, so don’t bother dating when you’re not planning on marriage, as your fancies are just gonna change as the temperature does.
Oh, and also, I noticed a tiny bit of programming… Small scene, big impact kind of thing. The Backwards Day scene, where they’re having dinner for breakfast, they say Grace before the meal. Crazy Swayzee says the prayer, and Norbert asks who they’re praying to. His answer is “a higher power”, and Dominic adds “You can believe whatever you want to believe.” I just want to mention that there is a BIG difference between being yourself and believing whatever you want. That’s why they’re putting litter boxes in elementary school bathrooms, guys…. Because playing imagination suddenly makes it so. Those kids are expressing themselves . (Please note my sarcasm.) *sigh* Can no one play pretend anymore without being pushed to start a movement?
I don’t want to leave you all on a depressing note, though, so I’ll go on. I do love the theme of being yourself, and enjoying what you like to do (as long as what you like to do isn’t sinful…. Because killers like to kill…). All the kids were so clever, and I know many grown ups who get big smiles on their faces from clever kids having fun together. This book has all those sorts of moments. And the improv…. Comedy sketch is my favorite kind of humor, so I loved reading all the funny situations they thought up. This is a good read for when you just want something light and fun to make you laugh. There are a couple of bittersweet moments, but yes. Do read this if you want some funnies to brighten your day.
————————————————————
It's been a while since I've read this, but definitely worth a re-read. The characters are fun, the situations are funny. I really liked Roger, even though he was jealous of Norbert, and rather snobby. My favorite scenes were the improv games (me and my siblings like to play those sometimes now, though since we don't have a huge audience, it makes it a little more difficult.)
The ending was a bittersweet one. <3 Who doesn't love a book where every character makes you smile in one way or another?!
October 12, 2018
Painfully not funny.
May 4, 2022
Norbert lives in a dystopian future where everyone wears gray and lives in gray houses under a gray sky, and where the Loving Leader of the United State of Earth not only provides all TV programming (designed to promulgate "Truth" as he sees it) but also watches everyone through their Truth Screens. One day, in a fit of rebellion while his teacher is out of the room, Norbert stands on the teacher's desk and does a hilarious impression of Loving Leader – forgetting, of course, that He's Watching. And, it turns out, He Can't Take a Joke. Norbert is immediately arrested and exiled to a planet 1,347 light years away, called Zorquat 3.
Making the trip with him at super-duper-hyper-turbo-zippo-speed are Drew, the boy who laughed at his impression, and a girl named Sophie. It turns out they're all outcasts because they have imagination, and in Loving Leader's ideology, "imagination is insanity" and "different is dangerous." Drew is good at art, and Sophie loves music, and of course, Norbert has the soul of a comedian. When they arrive on Zorquat 3, they find a blue-skied world with green trees, majestic mountains, and a camp where differences are accepted and imagination is encouraged. To poor, brainwashed Norbert, that makes it an asylum for the dangerously insane. Worse, it also means he can't search for his missing parents, who were disappeared for having talents of their own that threatened Loving Leader. So, while Drew and Sophie embrace camp life, Norbert keeps trying to get sent back to Earth – even at the risk of being banished to a barren asteroid for refusing to participate.
As the other kids and the adults at the camp start noticing Norbert's gift of guffaws, he undergoes a terrible conflict – torn between enjoying improv comedy and wanting to prove he's not imaginative or different so he can go back to Earth and search for his parents. At the same time, he is increasingly tormented by worries and fears (that imagination again) about being imprisoned in the secretive Black Box at the edge of camp, which he visualizes being full of cosmic horrors. Also, he's convinced that a goofy kid named Sergeant Sergeant, who wears a uniform covered in medals and always seems to be spying on Norbert while fiddling with a handheld computer, is reporting his every move and, maybe, also knows where his parents are. Things come to a head when the other campers scrobble Norbert and take him to the Black Box, which turns out to be ... not what he imagined.
What happens from there is definitely spoiler territory. I'd definitely recommend this book to young readers as a fine, kid-friendly example of satire. It's loaded with funniness. It has quirky characters. And it poses some challenging questions that are perhaps uncomfortably relevant to right now – such as, What can go wrong if the government starts censoring entertainment and social media based on ideological correctness, or when it spies on its citizens through their electronic devices? What could happen in a totalitarian world where unimaginative sameness is enforced in the name of equality? What is so subversive about satire, and why is that healthy for society?
James Patterson is the author, or at least co-author, of 30 "Alex Cross" mystery-thrillers, 22 "Women's Murder Club" mysteries, 17 "Private" thrillers, 15 "Middle School" books, 14 "Michael Bennett" thrillers, nine "Maximum Ride" novels, eight "Treasure Hunters" books, seven "Dog Diaries" books, six "Daniel X" fantasy-thrillers, six "I, Funny" books, six "NYPD Red" novels, five "Witch and Wizard" novels, the "Confessions" quartet, the "Harriet Blue" quartet, the "Max Einstein" quartet, the golf-themed "Miracle" trilogy, the "House of Robots" trilogy, the "Instinct" trilogy, the "Little Geniuses" trilogy, the "Black Book Thriller" trilogy, three "Ali Cross" mystery-thrillers, two "When the Wind Blows" novels, two "Honeymoon" novels, two "Zoo" novels, two "Emmy Dockery" novels, two "Jacky Ha-Ha" books, two "Crazy House" books, two "Candies" books, two "Ruby Bozarth" books, two "Rory Yates" books, two "Out of Sight" books, two "Katt vs. Dogg" books, two "Hawk" books, a recent "Doc Savage" novel, and something on the order of 80 other books.
Despite the fact that I've seen him play himself in episodes of Castle, I frankly don't believe he exists. Intuition tells me he's more a brand name than an actual writer, especially when another author is credited; and I'm not going to list all his co-authors at this point. Joey Green, who I suspect deserves to have his name at least as big as Patterson's on the cover of this book, is a sometime National Lampoon contributing editor and founder of the Cornell Lunatic, a satirical campus paper that's still in circulation. The illustrations in this book are by Hatem Aly, also the artist for "The Unicorn Rescue Society" series.
Making the trip with him at super-duper-hyper-turbo-zippo-speed are Drew, the boy who laughed at his impression, and a girl named Sophie. It turns out they're all outcasts because they have imagination, and in Loving Leader's ideology, "imagination is insanity" and "different is dangerous." Drew is good at art, and Sophie loves music, and of course, Norbert has the soul of a comedian. When they arrive on Zorquat 3, they find a blue-skied world with green trees, majestic mountains, and a camp where differences are accepted and imagination is encouraged. To poor, brainwashed Norbert, that makes it an asylum for the dangerously insane. Worse, it also means he can't search for his missing parents, who were disappeared for having talents of their own that threatened Loving Leader. So, while Drew and Sophie embrace camp life, Norbert keeps trying to get sent back to Earth – even at the risk of being banished to a barren asteroid for refusing to participate.
As the other kids and the adults at the camp start noticing Norbert's gift of guffaws, he undergoes a terrible conflict – torn between enjoying improv comedy and wanting to prove he's not imaginative or different so he can go back to Earth and search for his parents. At the same time, he is increasingly tormented by worries and fears (that imagination again) about being imprisoned in the secretive Black Box at the edge of camp, which he visualizes being full of cosmic horrors. Also, he's convinced that a goofy kid named Sergeant Sergeant, who wears a uniform covered in medals and always seems to be spying on Norbert while fiddling with a handheld computer, is reporting his every move and, maybe, also knows where his parents are. Things come to a head when the other campers scrobble Norbert and take him to the Black Box, which turns out to be ... not what he imagined.
What happens from there is definitely spoiler territory. I'd definitely recommend this book to young readers as a fine, kid-friendly example of satire. It's loaded with funniness. It has quirky characters. And it poses some challenging questions that are perhaps uncomfortably relevant to right now – such as, What can go wrong if the government starts censoring entertainment and social media based on ideological correctness, or when it spies on its citizens through their electronic devices? What could happen in a totalitarian world where unimaginative sameness is enforced in the name of equality? What is so subversive about satire, and why is that healthy for society?
James Patterson is the author, or at least co-author, of 30 "Alex Cross" mystery-thrillers, 22 "Women's Murder Club" mysteries, 17 "Private" thrillers, 15 "Middle School" books, 14 "Michael Bennett" thrillers, nine "Maximum Ride" novels, eight "Treasure Hunters" books, seven "Dog Diaries" books, six "Daniel X" fantasy-thrillers, six "I, Funny" books, six "NYPD Red" novels, five "Witch and Wizard" novels, the "Confessions" quartet, the "Harriet Blue" quartet, the "Max Einstein" quartet, the golf-themed "Miracle" trilogy, the "House of Robots" trilogy, the "Instinct" trilogy, the "Little Geniuses" trilogy, the "Black Book Thriller" trilogy, three "Ali Cross" mystery-thrillers, two "When the Wind Blows" novels, two "Honeymoon" novels, two "Zoo" novels, two "Emmy Dockery" novels, two "Jacky Ha-Ha" books, two "Crazy House" books, two "Candies" books, two "Ruby Bozarth" books, two "Rory Yates" books, two "Out of Sight" books, two "Katt vs. Dogg" books, two "Hawk" books, a recent "Doc Savage" novel, and something on the order of 80 other books.
Despite the fact that I've seen him play himself in episodes of Castle, I frankly don't believe he exists. Intuition tells me he's more a brand name than an actual writer, especially when another author is credited; and I'm not going to list all his co-authors at this point. Joey Green, who I suspect deserves to have his name at least as big as Patterson's on the cover of this book, is a sometime National Lampoon contributing editor and founder of the Cornell Lunatic, a satirical campus paper that's still in circulation. The illustrations in this book are by Hatem Aly, also the artist for "The Unicorn Rescue Society" series.
Read
October 27, 2018Norbert Riddle lives in the United State of Earth. Normality is law and standing out is dangerous. One day Norbert decides to make fun of their Loving Leader. His decision to make fun of Loving Leader gets him shipped to planet Zorquat 3. Zorquat 3 is so different from what Norbert is used to. He makes friends with Drew and Sophia. They are encouraged to be different and embrace their individuality there. At first all Norbert wants is to be shipped back home to where things are familiar but soon he learns to be himself.
Corky, loud and unique. Those are the first three words that come to mind to describe this book.
Of the several James Patterson novels I have read lately I have found them mediocre. I was hoping that Not So Normal Norbert would break the tide of mediocrity for me, especially since I enjoyed Word of Mouse so much. Sadly it did not.
I was on the fence with this novel being that I didn't know whether I found it funny and cute and quirky or just so ridiculous to the point of non-belief. I have to say I believe I'm leaning more towards the point of non-belief. I completely understand that this was written for younger readers and it was meant to be funny and ridiculous and out there ( and okay I did find myself giggling at some point because of some of the more adult humor sprinkled throughout). It was just a little too ridiculous to be believable.
I wish we would have had a little more background for this story. I felt like we were just thrown into the middle of it with very little background. It felt very underdeveloped as far as the background and knowledge of this world. On the other hand I felt like the Astronuts camp was a little too descriptive and that it contributed to the ridiculousness of this book.
It completely sounds like I didn't enjoy this book at all from my review, and for the most part I didn't. However I did really grow to love our main character Norbert. He was just trying to be himself and yet fit in and find where he belonged.
I also loved the messages that this book sends out - to be yourself, have fun, and to do things that make you happy. I fully agree with those, but I feel like this novel takes it to the extreme just to be that- extreme.
Overall Not So Normal Norbert was enjoyable but ridiculous.
Corky, loud and unique. Those are the first three words that come to mind to describe this book.
Of the several James Patterson novels I have read lately I have found them mediocre. I was hoping that Not So Normal Norbert would break the tide of mediocrity for me, especially since I enjoyed Word of Mouse so much. Sadly it did not.
I was on the fence with this novel being that I didn't know whether I found it funny and cute and quirky or just so ridiculous to the point of non-belief. I have to say I believe I'm leaning more towards the point of non-belief. I completely understand that this was written for younger readers and it was meant to be funny and ridiculous and out there ( and okay I did find myself giggling at some point because of some of the more adult humor sprinkled throughout). It was just a little too ridiculous to be believable.
I wish we would have had a little more background for this story. I felt like we were just thrown into the middle of it with very little background. It felt very underdeveloped as far as the background and knowledge of this world. On the other hand I felt like the Astronuts camp was a little too descriptive and that it contributed to the ridiculousness of this book.
It completely sounds like I didn't enjoy this book at all from my review, and for the most part I didn't. However I did really grow to love our main character Norbert. He was just trying to be himself and yet fit in and find where he belonged.
I also loved the messages that this book sends out - to be yourself, have fun, and to do things that make you happy. I fully agree with those, but I feel like this novel takes it to the extreme just to be that- extreme.
Overall Not So Normal Norbert was enjoyable but ridiculous.
July 30, 2018
Norbert Riddle lives in a gray house, wears grey clothes, and sees only grey skies. He lives in a world where he has been taught that being different is dangerous and Loving Leader is looking out for everyone on the United States of Earth. One day during class when the teacher is out Norbert does an imitation of and makes fun of Loving Leader. He is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to Zorquat 3. There he finds other kids who have imaginations and aren’t afraid to be different. Will Norbert admit he is different and fit in or will he be able to go back to Earth so he can find his parents? A cute story and quick read.
December 4, 2021
I have not read this book in like 3 YEARS oh my goodness I loved it though!!! I MUST read it again sometime!!!
This was such a fun read!! The ending was sad and happy at the same time. There were all SORTS of different characters in here. Oh my goodness what even was this odd but great book??? That's it--once I'm done reading the three million other books I am reading currently, I am SO reading this again!!! It was so funny!!!
This was such a fun read!! The ending was sad and happy at the same time. There were all SORTS of different characters in here. Oh my goodness what even was this odd but great book??? That's it--once I'm done reading the three million other books I am reading currently, I am SO reading this again!!! It was so funny!!!
December 9, 2019
This kind of reminded me of the book 1984. It's good to be different, to have imagination and the such. We were made to be different and made to use our minds for ourselves. Not to mindlessly follow someone else. It's a good lesson for kids. Be who you are!
August 1, 2018
This is a funny and quick read.
January 7, 2019
its a good book is good it is fun to read
Read
July 26, 2018Norbert lives on a planet called the United State of Earth. It is not a very nice place to be. It is run by a demented man known as Loving Leader, who is anything but. Everything on this Earth is grey and drab - houses, trees, clothes, food, etc. Being drab and normal is encouraged; being different is dangerous.
Poor Norbert can't help being different. He does his best to control it most of the time, but when he makes fun of Loving Leader in front of his classroom, he is quickly whisked away and sent to anther far-off planet for punishment. There, he learns that it's okay to be different.
The way the book ended makes it obvious that this is just the first book in a series of books about Norbert. I looked forward to reading the next one.
Poor Norbert can't help being different. He does his best to control it most of the time, but when he makes fun of Loving Leader in front of his classroom, he is quickly whisked away and sent to anther far-off planet for punishment. There, he learns that it's okay to be different.
The way the book ended makes it obvious that this is just the first book in a series of books about Norbert. I looked forward to reading the next one.
September 23, 2018
I have never read anything by James Patterson before. I am an alien, I know. But I’m a Children’s Librarian and am trying to keep up with literature for kids, so here I am, starting with the “Jimmy Patterson” imprint. At times it’s a bit corny, the writing a little hokey, but there’s a great message and humor kids will love. There are positive examples of empowered females and males who aren’t afraid to show their emotions, and that’s so important. I stepped outside of my usual middle-grade picks to be better at RA, and I’m glad I did.
September 5, 2018
This book showed promise as a read-aloud with my 9yo and 11yo boys (Norbert is likable, the cartoons were funny, and I can see where the storyline was going with emphasizing how being different is good), but they just didn’t care for the whole space/planet thing. My oldest quickly finished it on his own and said, “Meh.”
June 25, 2018
I had this with me after BookCon, and read it all the way through on a 3-hour bus ride. It was nothing special – it’s framed as an absurdist satire of dystopias and summer camp, but doesn’t really have much to say beyond “Imagination is good!” There was also SO. MUCH. FILLER. Despite how short this was, only about half of the book actually developed character or moved plot along. The remainder was the author thinking he was being clever, and hurrying to churn out the book as quickly as possible.
December 12, 2022
My instant reaction to this book was laughter. The book has a mix of just jokes and harsh humor which is typically my cup of tea.
The start of the book starts out in a version of earth where everything is gray and dreary. Everybody is wearing the exact same clothes and has to do the exact same thing. They all have to act the same and talk the same as well. They must show absolutely no emotions meaning no laughing, smiling, etc. Everybody had to act the same throughout the entire book. But randomly one-morning Norbet (the main character) made a joke impersonating the Loving Leader (the leader of the current earth) who was on a Truth Screen (In other words a T.V) that was hanging on a pipe above the classroom. He was mimicking Loving Leader as a joke and that showed differently. Different is dangerous in this version of the earth and Norbert made the entire class laugh with his impersonations. This showed that he was different. So the Truth Police grabbed and arrested him along with Drew (another main character) since Drew was also caught laughing. The whole class stopped before they could get caught laughing at Norbert’s joke so they didn’t take to Zorquat 3 (A place that is some sort of “prison”) and they found out that it is not a prison and is really a place where people are not “normal” and they dress with colors and laugh and really speak however they want. What Norbert does to try to get back to his Dull Aunt Martha and Dreary Uncle Hank is tries to act like he is still “normal” and that he belongs back on earth but what he doesn’t know was that there are three strikes and you’re out program. If you don’t show that you’re “different and dangerous” 3 different times you get sent to meteors where you have to mine forever until you die.
I didn’t dislike anything in this book. It was really well made and I liked that it was all fun and jokes and there weren’t really many serious scenes. I recommend this book for middle schoolers and high schoolers ages 12-15.
The start of the book starts out in a version of earth where everything is gray and dreary. Everybody is wearing the exact same clothes and has to do the exact same thing. They all have to act the same and talk the same as well. They must show absolutely no emotions meaning no laughing, smiling, etc. Everybody had to act the same throughout the entire book. But randomly one-morning Norbet (the main character) made a joke impersonating the Loving Leader (the leader of the current earth) who was on a Truth Screen (In other words a T.V) that was hanging on a pipe above the classroom. He was mimicking Loving Leader as a joke and that showed differently. Different is dangerous in this version of the earth and Norbert made the entire class laugh with his impersonations. This showed that he was different. So the Truth Police grabbed and arrested him along with Drew (another main character) since Drew was also caught laughing. The whole class stopped before they could get caught laughing at Norbert’s joke so they didn’t take to Zorquat 3 (A place that is some sort of “prison”) and they found out that it is not a prison and is really a place where people are not “normal” and they dress with colors and laugh and really speak however they want. What Norbert does to try to get back to his Dull Aunt Martha and Dreary Uncle Hank is tries to act like he is still “normal” and that he belongs back on earth but what he doesn’t know was that there are three strikes and you’re out program. If you don’t show that you’re “different and dangerous” 3 different times you get sent to meteors where you have to mine forever until you die.
I didn’t dislike anything in this book. It was really well made and I liked that it was all fun and jokes and there weren’t really many serious scenes. I recommend this book for middle schoolers and high schoolers ages 12-15.
February 21, 2019
This was a really good book, and had a great story and theme. What the story is about, is this kid who in the beginning lives on earth with his grandparents. The place that he lives, however isn’t the funnest place, or a place I’m sure most kids today. The reason why, is because everyone living there isn’t allowed to be unique. They’re supposed to dress in a certain outfit, eat only with certain utensils, and many other things. The reason for this, is because it’s a law of the person in a mayor, or presidential roll. That person’s name is loving leader, and he acts the total opposite of what his roll. During the story, Norbert, who’s tired of how “Loving leader” treats everyone, does an impression on what loving leader has everyone do, and since there’s cameras hidden everywhere, not just in school, he ends up getting caught, and getting sent to a planet called planet Zorquat 3. He’s not sure what to expect, because everyone kinda acts strange, the counselors, and other kids that’ve been sent there. Throughout the story, you get to see the close friends he makes, same age, as well as adults, as well as other people. For those of you who like to know if something has a good happy ending, this one does, for the most part; but you’ll have to read the book all the way through, otherwise you might have second guesses about that.
January 11, 2025
Admittedly not being the target audience, I found this lacking. It's also labeled as science fiction, being set on "another planet" where "insanity and creativity" are the norm (as opposed to the United State of Earth, where Norbert had been living "an un-interesting, conforming-to-the-rules" kind of life. Which was not a huge stretch of the imagination with life seemingly the same, just with different (more imaginative/creative) rules. A few silly events and psychedelic dinosaurs and personal helicopters (and Easter Egg houses??) are some attempts at humor/fantasy. One of the negatives was the length (and lack of depth) - thinking it might not hold the attention of a middle schooler with the things that were happening. It also takes quite a leap when the story devotes so much to Norbert's determination to find his parents who have been missing for seven years - all of a sudden he is willing to go to extreme lengths to find them. Yeah, right. The lesson to be learned is that being different can be good. This might work as a "read-to-me" book for a younger child who doesn't have the attention span (or reading skills) to stay with a lengthier story on their own, but I'm guessing a little bit older child would find it lame.
May 11, 2022
This book was about a teen in a society ran by a perfectionist. He struggles in identifing himself because he wants to feel "normal". Norbert, otherwise known as nonperson numb. L4LUZR-1 has a gifted talent of making people laugh. Especially when he does his impressions. These impressions are in fact illegal in this society because they are too creative, and creative is dangerous. When he gets caught by the "Truth Police" or the peacemakers of the dystopic society he gets sent to court, to go on trial for his creative actions. After hes found guilty hes sent to a camp in which he thinks is a prison labor camp. He soon finds out that it is just a basic camp for people with creativity. After he stays for a while he finds that he should imbrace the true him, which he hides so they change their mind and send him back. He soon does imbrace and his impressions make him become famous and succsessful.
April 17, 2021
A fun dystopian book. I think it was aiming to be a series but I don't see any other books.
Two kids showed up to book club, and the librarian was there too (school zoom calls require an official employee). We talked about how the kids aren't troubled by the dystopian stuff that worried the adults, how we liked the humor. The camp sounded fun. We laughed about the crazy dystopian idea of a school with a two-way video screen, since these kids have had Zoom school for a year now. I pointed out the use of present tense (which no one had noticed) and asked whether it made the book feel different. The kids had lots of ideas for our next read, which was nice.
Two kids showed up to book club, and the librarian was there too (school zoom calls require an official employee). We talked about how the kids aren't troubled by the dystopian stuff that worried the adults, how we liked the humor. The camp sounded fun. We laughed about the crazy dystopian idea of a school with a two-way video screen, since these kids have had Zoom school for a year now. I pointed out the use of present tense (which no one had noticed) and asked whether it made the book feel different. The kids had lots of ideas for our next read, which was nice.
July 14, 2019
A funny fun summer read of a Kim Jung Un/ Trumpish Loving Leader who values conformity, and those who are creative banished to another planet where they have to suffer the consequences of exploring their imagination. A parable indeed. There's a bit of a sad undercurrent of a mystery of what happened to Norbert's parents (and the egg thing at the end seemed a little farfetched- why did they need to be eggs? and off course she's there), but it's not a bad life there on Zorquat 3.
The illustrations throughout were a bonus.
The illustrations throughout were a bonus.
February 28, 2021
Norbert lives on earth at a time when one man controls the whole earth with his Orwellian ideas; when Norbert shows creativity by imitating fearless leader he is shipped off to the Astro-Nuts Camp on planet Zorquat 3 where things are the total opposite of earth. Creativity and individuality are encouraged and colors abound as contrasted by the sameness and grayness of everything on earth. But Norbert is not happy because he has been trying to find his missing parents who disappeared when he was five, so he wants to return to the sameness of earth because he thinks his parents are there.
April 7, 2020
In a sci-fi world, a boy and his classmate get sent to a camp for "different" people. Our main character for doing an impression of someone (the "loving leader") and the other kid for drawing and laughing at the impression. there are crazy ideas, backwards days, weird/funny acting, and much more funny things in this book.
September 1, 2025
I've read a James Patterson book before. Didn't disappoint me. This book is about Norbert, a child living in a dystopian world, and about how he was sent to another planet because he was 'different and dangerous' and 'imagination and insane' and stuff. He also misses his parents and aunt and uncle and tries to get them back and stuff. Funny and adventurous. 5 out of 5 book.
September 25, 2019
This book is so cool! The main character, Norbert, gets sent to another planet for detention. From there it only gets weirder. Norbert thinks the new planet he was sent to is really weird, but he makes new friends along the way. Read the book to find out more!
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