Faking Normal - Hardcover

Stevens, Courtney C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062245384 ISBN 13: 9780062245380

Publisher: HarperTeen, 2014

Synopsis

An edgy, realistic debut novel praised by the New York Times bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys, as “a beautiful reminder that amid our broken pieces we can truly find ourselves.”

Alexi Littrell hasn’t told anyone what happened to her over the summer by her backyard pool. Instead, she hides in her closet, counts the slats in the air vent, and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does—and deal with the trauma.

When Bodee Lennox—“the Kool-Aid Kid”—moves in with the Littrells after a family tragedy, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in this quiet, awkward boy who has secrets of his own. As their friendship grows, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her summon the courage to find her voice and speak up about the rape that has changed the course of her life.

About this title

Review:

Faking Normal Playlist . . . (The Desk Chronicles) By Courtney C. Stevens

Music is a main character in Faking Normal. It doesn’t show up with long dark hair, brown eyes, Chuck Taylors, and the best vintage U2 shirt from the neighborhood Goodwill. No, music waltzes into Alexi’s world through an unassuming, understanding admirer, Captain Lyric. This anonymous guy leaves lyrics on her fourth period desk, starting a conversation and speaking a language that reaches Alexi in a way nothing else can. Here are some conversations that occurred between Captain Lyric and Alexi before page one of Faking Normal. These characters chose these particular lyrics because they wanted to share pain, compassion, and hope with each other; and because they wanted to express their pain without owning it.

“Is There Anyone Out There” by Delta Rae

Captain Lyric: "Is there anyone out there? You know me I am the son."

Alexi: "Of a lost country, of a new world. And we’re born to run and we never look back."

“Dust to Dust” by The Civil Wars

Captain Lyric: "Let me in the wall you’ve built around."

Alexi: "We can light a match And burn it down."

“Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men

Alexi: "There’s an old voice in my head that’s holding me back."

Captain Lyric: "Well tell her that I miss our little talks."

Alexi: "Soon it will be over and buried with our past."

Captain Lyric: "We used to play outside when we were young."

Alexi: "And full of life and full of love."

“Starlight” by The Wailin’ Jennys

Alexi: "I have come back to you broken. Take me home."

Captain Lyric:" And my body bears this trouble. Take me home."

“Awake My Soul” by Mumford & Sons

Captain Lyric: "And now my heart stumbles on things I don’t know."

Alexi: "My weakness I feel I must finally show."

From the Back Cover:

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

At school, nobody sees the scratches or her pain. The only person she connects with is the mysterious Captain Lyric, who writes song lyrics on her fourth-period desk for her to complete. With pencil marks and music, Alexi carves out a comfortable space for herself as she and the Captain finish each other's songs—words on a desk feel safer than words spoken aloud.

But when Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend who understands her better than anyone. He has secrets of his own and knows all about suffering in silence. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally speak up.

With her powerful, moving debut novel, author Courtney C. Stevens emerges as an extraordinary new talent to watch.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0062245384
• ISBN 13: 9780062245380
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336