Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey

by Magdalena Newman, Nathaniel Newman

Praised by R.J. Palacio as "wondrous"--this moving memoir follows a teenage boy with TC syndrome and his exceptional family from diagnosis at birth to now."This touching memoir is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about the real-world experiences of a child with craniofacial differences and his extraordinary family. It's also more than that. It's a story about the love between a mother and a son, a child and his family, and the breadth of friends, helpers, and doctors that step in when the unexpected happens. It's a story that will make young readers reevaluate the word "normal"--not only as it applies to others, but to themselves. Any book that can do that is pretty wondrous, as far as I'm concerned." --R.J. Palacio, author of WonderNormal. Who is to say what this word means? For Magda Newman, it was a goal. She wanted her son Nathaniel to be able to play on the playground, swim at the beach, enjoy the moments his friends took for granted. But Nathaniel's severe Treacher Collins syndrome--a craniofacial condition--meant that other concerns came first. Could he eat without the aid of a gastrointestinal tube? Could he hear? Would he ever be able to breathe effortlessly? But Nathaniel looks at "normal" from a completely different perspective. In this uplifting and humorous memoir that includes black-and-white comic illustrations, mother and son tell the story of his growing up--from facing sixty-seven surgeries before the age of fifteen, to making friends, moving across the country, and persevering through hardships. How they tackle extraordinary circumstances with love and resilience is a true testament to Magda and Nathaniel's family, and to families everywhere who quietly but courageously persist.

Genres: Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Health, Disability, Autobiography

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 14, 2020

About the author

Magdalena Newman lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and two sons.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not prepared to give this one a star rating right now, just to remark upon the release of an own voices version of Wonder. We are doing something right in kidlit if HMH is feeling compelled to release an own voices companion to Wonder. Nathaniel seems like a cool kid and a great advocate for himself, and his mom is super tough. So, I hope they make lots of cash from this tie-in and accomplish what they want to accomplish with it.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book I placed on my #MustReadin2021 list and I’m so tickled to finally get to it. In the 90s when I first began teaching Kindergarten, one of my students had a craniofacial syndrome. Since the kids in her class knew her from a young age (and were with her almost every day, all year), I don’t recall there ever being surprised looks or questions in my classroom. She was just one of many students in our school. At the time, I recall hearing the ongoing faculty discussions about the various surgeries she’d already endured as well as those she had lined up in her future. And during one of the discussions, someone mentioned that she’d eventually look “normal” and that, someday, people would have no idea of all the surgeries she endured during her childhood. Flash forward to 2014 when my adorable, funny, and confident nephew was unexpectedly born with a craniofacial syndrome that would also require a number of surgeries. So I truly appreciated that this book showcased how these surgeries weren’t typically to make someone look normal, but that they’re usually about necessary functions of the body from breathing to eating to digestion to vision to hearing. Nathaniel Newman’s voice is sometimes funny and sarcastic, but he also has an amazing capacity for empathy toward people who don’t understand what they’re asking or how off-base they are in their remarks.

The book Wonder by R.J. Palacio is discussed, as well as the relationship they built with her over the years. I didn’t know that Palacio specifically requested Nathaniel audition for the role of Auggie and that for a long time he was referred to as “the Wonder boy.” While the movie producers went with an accomplished actor, Jacob Tremblay, the whole family agrees that Wonder really helped their interaction with the community and they are grateful for how it opened up better understanding and dialogue. If you are not yet familiar with the Newman family and their experiences, I am happy to recommend this book that can be read with a young child.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!!

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this sweet, beautiful, and fun book. It shows how much compassion we can have for family and friends. Believe it or not, NO ONE is "normal", and this book shows it. I also like the drawings before each chapter.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Raincoast for this ARC!

Normal is a memoir by a boy who has Treacher Collins syndrom, a craniofacial condition that is very unique. Written from the dual perspective of Nathaniel and Magda Newman, this book follows Nathaniel's life growing up with TC and being the inspiration for R.J Palacio's "Auggie" in her famous book Wonder!

This was a fast and compulsive read. What I enjoyed about this book was the honest and difficultly that comes with talking about such a subject matter, and I loved particularly Nathaniel's parts given he is very forthcoming about how he was treated by other kids, how he handles his condition, and ultimately how Wonder helped a generation of kids learn to accept people born with unique differences. There's a lot of good conversation starters for kids in this book, and I think there's a lot of value in learning about how someone survives given unique circumstances. This family clearly has had hardship, but they also show amazing resilience as well.

I think for younger readers who are curious about the inspiration for Wonder will definitely find some enjoyment here. I don't know how much of a book there would have been given the importance of Wonder in this family's life, but I think Normal is a good and accessible memoir for younger readers, and I think Nathaniel's struggles and triumph's will definitely resonate for many people.

[KJ Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning of this book, but toward the end I didn’t enjoy it as much because the mom’s version of this memoir felt like it was trying to find meaning in a bunch of different places, while Nathaniel’s perspective always presented the opposite view point. I think I would have just preferred reading from one perspective or the other, not both.

[Karen Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed R.J. Palacio's book Wonder, you must read this memoir of a boy with the facial deformity syndrome Treacher Collins just like Auggie. Co-authored by Nathaniel Newman and his mom Magdalena Newman, this book is at once hopeful, honest, funny, and heart-wrenching.

I felt like the book helped me put my own daily struggles in perspective. If Nathaniel Newman can have 60+ surgeries, live for thirteen years with a breathing trac, and move around the country going to new schools every few years, well, then I've got it good and can celebrate every thing that I take for granted...like breathing normally. The Newman family has given us all a gift in writing this book. Read it and share widely!!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. I loved this book, and the bravery and courage of Nathaniel and Magda's story. I will no longer taking breathing for granted. I will definitely purchase a copy for our library.

[Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, I think a lot of people need to read books like these, it is one of my all-time favourite books

[Kaden A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an awesome story. Also a good memoir. I loved the story line and the character resolution.

[Sophie T]

I've been in a bit of a reading slump the past few weeks. I haven't really been interested in any books that I have. Yet this past Friday I was able to go back to work at the Library processing some of the books we got in before we had to shut down for the Pandemic. This book was one of them, and from the first page, I was hooked.

Now I do want to remind y'all that I do not rate biographies because it's a person's life. How can I rate that? I simply give a review, to share my thoughts on the book.

Normal is about Nathaniel Newman, his family, and their journey with Nathaniel having Treacher Collins syndrome. This syndrome caused Nathaniel's facial muscles and bones to form wrong, making it difficult for him to hear, eat, breathe, and see. Treacher Collins is the same syndrome that Auggie has in the book Wonder. Nathaniel is a real-life "Wonder Boy", except Nathaniel isn't made up. All the surgeries, successes, failures, terrible people, and wonderful people are laid out in this memoir. We see how Nathaniel looks at the world and his own life, and how it contrasts to his mother's feelings about it all.

It's a beautiful story that everyone should read because it reminds us to look beyond what we can see of a person. People are more than just how they look; they are complex with feelings, opinions, and wonderful stories. Normal reminds us all to show kindness to everyone we encounter.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. The story of Nathaniel, who has Treacher Collins, and his mother, as they navigate the health and social challenges that come with TC. Nathaniel's bits were by far the best--he's straightforward, talks about the hard bits and the normal bits. and just tells his story as he knows it. His mom dipped into a lot of precious angel, he's an inspiration, etc a lot, which made me roll my eyes a lot. Their versions of certain scenes differed a lot in tone like that, and I liked his versions better.

The art is unfinished because this was an ARC. But I will say, the art does not at ALL represent what Nathaniel looks like. It's very much sanitized, for lack of a better word--it does not look like him at all. Closer to him after his surgery, I suppose. I hope they change that in the final edits.

All in all, a good own voices book somewhat undone by the mother's perspective. Also, neither of them are likable people at all. Or at least, I disliked them both. Which is neither here nor there, but it is nice to have a disabled person be a selfish brat. That perfect angel stereotype is really damaging to a lot of disabled people.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmm, why does Nathaniel's name keep dropping off as one of the authors?

Nathaniel and Magda trade off telling their story -- his birth with craniofacial syndrome dramatically changed what she expected from her life as a mother. Her definition of normal had to be refined. This idea of what is "normal" comes back several times -- is normal a positive? Does not normal mean bad? If something is normal to you, does that mean something? Magda wanted her kid to have a normal life, so she had to figure out what that meant. To her and her family that meant that Nathaniel had to get to play with other kids, that his differences would be differences and not definers. And Nathaniel grew up with this philosophy; yes, he is a "Wonder" kid, but that isn't what matters to him -- he'd rather talk about superheroes or video games.

The links between this and the Wonder are strong -- when R.J. Palacio went to the clinic to learn about this syndrome, she saw a poster of Nathaniel. They met and talked a lot -- Nathaniel was even tested to see if he could star in the movie (he agrees he would have been a terrible choice). But Nathaniel is clear that he's not "Auggie" -- the book was written before they met and Palacio made up a different personality for her character. The similarities are external, and that's the point of the book. But the Newmans agree that the movie made things much easier for their family -- explaining what was going on became very quick. I think kids will be interested to see the reality alongside the fiction.

I enjoyed both voices; Nathaniel is a snarky and rather self-centered kid and Magda, a Polish immigrant who fully commits to everything, is candid about her failures as well as her successes. Her stories about growing up in communist Poland are as exotic as Nathaniel's descriptions of life with a track (tracheotomy).

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story or maybe more of a memoir written by a boy named Nathaniel Newman who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. It is co-written with his mother Magdalena Newman. This is a must read after one reads Palacio’s book Wonder.
Nathaniel Newman was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, now familiar to many as the congenital condition of Auggie in Wonder. Nathaniel is now a teenager and he and his mother relate in words, his life, beginning from birth to present. As you read in Wonder, Nathaniel’s beginning in this world was met with frustrating physical restrictions, multiple surgeries, and the stares and questions of peers and adults. I found it interesting the impact the book and movie Wonder had on Nathaniel’s life. Nathaniel was considered for the role of Auggie but Trembly was chosen to play Auggie. Nathaniel’s family were honored guests on the set.
Nathaniel grew up with the huge challenges of breathing through a trach tube in his throat, which meant water was his mortal enemy, even wind in the opening could upend his breathing. When major surgery and long term recovery made it so the trach could be removed, Nathaniel felt as if he had lost an old friend even asked if they could put it back.
Nathaniel's narration is matter-of-fact, since his complicated way of life was all he had ever known. His mother, Magda’s account is more forthright with flashbacks to her own childhood in Poland; they're an interesting contrast in styles, but they work together to give more perspective to the story, especially of Nathaniel's early years.

Nathaniel's reflections on the advantages and disadvantages of being perceived as the "Wonder boy" is especially thought-provoking,
Nathaniel was born into just the right family who knew how to love and nurture a child with so many needs.

[Janet Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like there are a lot of books lately where the theme is there are kids who are different and have a lot of challenges, but they are still regular kids (yet also inspiring). This is wonderful and amazing for readers to get to know a person (real or fictional) that they might not have taken the time to get to know in real life and to be more kind and understanding of differences.

That being said, I feel like I’ve read a lot of them and wasn’t particularly looking forward to this one, but it was recommended by a friend so I gave it a shot.

Normal is co-authored by a real kid named Nathaniel and his mother Magda. Nathaniel has Treacher Collins syndrome - just like Auggie Pullman in Wonder. They tell Nathaniel’s (and the family’s) story from his birth, through countless surgeries and the effect that Wonder had when it came out.

I ended up LOVING this book. Nathaniel was likable and real. He was funny and shared about what really bothered him and what he really didn’t care about. Magda was able to fill in details from Nathaniel’s infancy and later on. She shared stories that didn’t always paint her in the most favorable light and I appreciated that honesty. She talked about how she might not want to feel a certain way, but how she did, but was trying to change. It just made me like her that much more. And as a new-ish mother, reading from a mother’s perspective hits me a lot differently now.

I laughed while reading this book and I teared up once too. If you liked Wonder you will love this. If you liked Wonder, but feel like you’ve absorbed that message and would rather read something different, read this anyway. If you don’t like Wonder, you probably haven’t read it, so you should go read Wonder too😜

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade memoir. This is the story of Nathaniel Newman, a boy born with Treacher Collins syndrome. The story is told by him and his Mother. Treacher Collins means the bones of the face don't fully develop, which affects not only appearance but also eating and breathing. Nathaniel had to be fed through a tube directly to his stomach for many years and had to breathe out of a trach tube in his neck for even longer.

Nathaniel ended up crossing paths with the author RJ Palacio, whose book Wonder featured a protagonist with Treacher Collins. He actually auditioned for the role of Auggie in the film, but as he so honestly stated-- kids with TC don't have a lot of time to work on acting. He spent a lot of time in the hospital. Not because he himself cared about his facial appearance but because he wanted his body to function better, specifically in regards to eating and breathing. Nathaniel went through over 60 surgeries to get his body to do things that other people can do from birth.

This story is clearly released on the coattails of Wonder, but that timing doesn't take away from the power of the story. I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints of Nathaniel and his mother. This book really shows the everyday of living with craniofacial differences and asks the reader to reconsider what it is to be "normal."

I read an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher.

[Jaynie Korzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathaniel has always felt normal despite living with Treacher Collins syndrome (TC), a condition diagnosed at birth which causes bones in his face to grow and others not to grow, causing breathing and hearing difficulties. Nathaniel and Magda, Nathaniel’s mother, recounts the story of his life from infancy to his teenage years. Throughout his life, Nathaniel had over sixty procedures to correct craniofacial differences caused by TC. Despite the challenges, Magda and her family were determined to give Nathaniel a normal childhood, full of video games, pets, bike riding, and sibling rivalries. When he turned 11, Nathaniel chose to have his largest procedure yet which would eventually allow him to reach a lifetime goal, to swim submerged in water for the first time. Each chapter begins with a black and white cartoon which entices readers to finish the chapter. The story is told from two perspectives, as indicated by different font styles for each narrator, and includes flashbacks to Magda’s life growing up in Poland. Both Nathaniel and Magda teach all children to separate “who someone is from what he looks like.”

THOUGHTS: Readers of R.J Palacio's Wonder will easily recognize this story and will enjoy learning how the book and movie positively affected the lives of “Wonder Kids” around the world. Middle Grade readers interested in digging deeper into Teachers Collins syndrome or those who enjoy reading books about diverse kids, will enjoy Nathaniel’s and Magda’s story.

[Jamie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, especially if you've read Palacio's Wonder, because it honestly and openly discusses the challenges of living with and parenting a child with Treacher Collins syndrome (facial disfigurement). The story is told in turns by the mother and her son, Nathaniel, who was born with TC. The mother is a fierce advocate for her son and for others with the condition; she questions what is means to be "normal" and the value and drawbacks of being defined as such, and she is dedicated to educating people about TC and refusing to let her son feel "less than." Nathaniel himself is charming and resilient and I enjoyed his portions of the story.

However. It is so hard to write about oneself and one's achievements. The mother's part at times came across as self-serving. There were times I questioned her judgments of others as well as her motivations.

The biggest drawback, IMO, is that I finished the book mostly feeling concerned for the younger son, Jacob, who was born and lived in the shadows of Nathaniel, his condition, and the attention he got because of it. This is somewhat unavoidable, but Nathaniel makes a point of telling the reader multiple times just how bratty his younger brother is which makes him (Nathaniel) seem just a bit unlikeable. And there is little in the story to reassure us that the family is meeting Jacob's needs as well.

Perhaps one day Jacob will tell the story from his perspective!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a must-read for anyone who enjoyed the book Wonder (and who didn’t?!?). Normal is a memoir of a boy born with Treacher Collins syndrome, which is the same condition that Auggie, the main character in Wonder, had. Although R.J. Palacio hadn’t yet met Nathaniel Newman when she wrote Wonder, she met him soon after her book was published and was surprised to realize that she’d unknowingly created a character that bore an amazing resemblance to Nathaniel and his family. So, in a way, this is almost like reading the real-life story of Auggie.

I liked that the memoir is co-written by Nathaniel and his mother, Magdalena. It’s interesting to get both their points of view because they often have a decidedly different take on their experiences. They are both very honest, especially when Magdalena describes what it was like to give birth to a child whom others referred to as an “alien”.

This is a fast and interesting read. The only small parts that slowed it down were the occasional interjections of stories from Magdalena’s past in Poland. I found the ones that didn’t relate directly to Nathaniel’s life distracting and unnecessary. Otherwise, this is a book that you’ll want to sit down and read in one sitting and, like Wonder, will warm your heart and leave you feeling incredibly hopeful and appreciative for the blessings in your own life.

[KK · Rating 5 out of 5]

NORMAL is a look into one family's everyday life with a son with severe facial differences. Differences which don't just make his face look... well, different, but are life-threatening. Nathaniel was close to death multiple times, he was fed through a tube until he was a toddler, and he couldn't breathe on his own his own until he was 13. By the age of 15, he went through over sixty surgeries. Besides these physical struggles, Nathaniel and his parents also endured the emotional struggles of bullying, and the fear that often comes with raising a child with challenges.

Nathaniel's paragraphs are witty. He doesn't mope in his challenges and always seems to find the positive in even the hardest situations. Yes, he looks different, but by reading his story, you will realize how "normal" of a boy he is. His mom, Magda's paragraphs are poignant. She is honest about the difficulties of raising a kid like Nathaniel, but also manages to find the positives in situations. There are also great cartoons for every chapter!

NORMAL is interesting, funny, and hard to put down. Recommended for anyone ages 9 and up.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is good, but the telling was not quite as good as the story. This book is the memoirs of a mother and son. The son has Treacher Collins Syndrome. In his elementary years, the book "Wonder" came out. I love the fact that they talk about how the book helped with the way people responded to Nathaniel. The ending was good. Unfortunately, I did not feel like a lot of the story flowed well. I think it would have been better had they focused on a smaller time period and delved deeper into it. Especially, a time period the son could remember. There were times the mother had a lot to say about something and Nathaniel just said he barely remembered the event. I also did not feel like I really got to know the characters as well as I would have liked to. Their metaphors and analogies did not resonate with me.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the book for my daughter and she really liked it and said I should read it also. My son's class is just finishing reading R.J. Palacio's book "Wonder" together, so I'll definitely have him read this book next as it is a great companion book. It references Wonder so much that if you haven't read it, you may be a little lost. It is great for a middle grade book, but the style is at times a little juvenile for an adult reader. It looks like Magdalena Newman wrote a version solely from her perspective for adults also which I'm interested in reading. I did appreciated learning of her strength as a mom and how they grew as a family. I would love to hear more from the brother and father's points of view.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an outstanding true-life version of the “Wonder” story (and in fact, Nathaniel served as an inspiration for both the book and the movie)! The mother-son author team did a great job of tackling their topics from both viewpoints, and their tone steered clear of preachy and instead remained lighthearted (even in the chapters with heavier subjects, for the most part). My kids were thoroughly engaged throughout and seemed to really connect with Nathaniel’s portion of the book in particular, although the disordered timeline irritated everyone on occasion. My biggest complaint is that Russell comes off looking like a bit of a jerk in Magda’s words, and whether he is or isn’t, that didn’t really belong in the book.
4-4.5 stars

[Shirley Freeman]

Kids, and adults, who loved 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio will also love this touching, and funny, memoir by mother, Magda, and son, Nathanial. Nathanial was born with Treacher Collins syndrome - like fictional Auggie in Palacio's book. Magda starts their story by frankly describing her initial reaction when Nathanial was born. Mother and son write matter-of-factly about the challenges of living with serious medical challenges, living with 'differences' and the noticeable positive effect on all their lives after Wonder was published. Nathanial's delightful voice and imagination will continue to spread the kindness gene among the Wonder generation.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this mom and son’s memoir may not have the effect of completely drawing every reader in like Palacio’s similar but fictional novel did, their voices are impressive and their lives and struggles even more so. I applaud both of them for documenting their family’s journey and furthering the movement of treating others with kindness. I read this book aloud to my 11yo and 13yo sons, and my 11yo, who lately has been shunning every book I select to read, was captivated from the start. Thank you to Magda and Nathaniel for sharing your story, for reminding us all to be grateful for what we have, and for creating a bonding moment for my boys and me every time we opened your book.

[Marge Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This touching memoir is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about the real-world experiences of a child with craniofacial differences and his extraordinary family. It's also more than that. It's a story about the love between a mother and a son, a child and his family, and the breadth of friends, helpers, and doctors that step in when the unexpected happens. It's a story that will make young readers reevaluate the word "normal"--not only as it applies to others, but to themselves. Any book that can do that is pretty wondrous, as far as I'm concerned." --R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder

[Hansen Zhang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, I knew was an extraordinary book the minute I picked it up. Very inspiring, and many more people should read this book. I first didn't realize this was an memoir, thinking that the authors had basically copied R.J Palacio's 2012 Novel, Wonder. But then, when I finally realized that it was a true story, I knew how much the Newman's had to go through to be able to write this extraordinary book. More people like Nathaniel should be able to live to tell their story, to be treated equally because they have a disability.

[Susan Eberhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a surprise that came out of nowhere! Nathaniel Newman, a young man born with Treacher Collins syndrome, tells his life story along with his mother, Magdalena. Interestingly, in their story the reader learns that R.J. Palacio saw Nathaniel's picture in a doctor's office and based her character Auggie on Nathaniel. Palacio's Wonder story changed people's view of craniofacial differences, but this book, Normal, changed my view of living life courageously and accepting whatever comes your way with grace.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must-read for fans of Wonder. I appreciated being able to hear someone's real life experience with Treacher Collins. It was interesting having the point of view both of Nathaniel and his mom. I think one of the things that struck me most was the difference between Auggie and Nathaniel--specifically that Nathaniel does not feel self conscious about Treacher Collins. He accepts his body and his reality and doesn't dwell on the things that make him different from other kids. For him, Treacher Collins is the norm. Fast, easy read.

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both my girls wanted to me read the book. It follows the journey of a real life family whose son has TC syndrome, which gained mainstream awareness due to the fictional novel Wonder, by R.J. Palacio and then a motion picture. It’s a really great listen, and I loved learning the ways in which the book Wonder made life a little bit easier for Nathaniel and then the ways the book wasn’t universal for kids with TC syndrome. I’m in awe of the family and all they went through to give their sons a normal childhood as possible.

[Librariann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine companion book for anyone who has read Wonder. The sheer number of Wonder-references may make it a little confusing for those who haven't, but certainly someone can follow the story of Nathaniel and his mom without having read Palacio's book.

I would have liked more medical background, but perhaps that's in the companion book for adults. Very kid-friendly, with humorous chapter introduction illustrations that add to the appeal.