And why the name Norman with a surname like Foreman, if you didn’t know you were naming half a prospective comedy duo? Sadie's workmate Leonard, an elderly gentleman, offers to help her with both of these goals, and so starts a wonderful and funny, though at times sad, journey for all three of them to achieve what seems like two unachievable goals. I know it’s selfish to worry about myself when Mum has to look after me and go to work and cook dinners and wash our clothes and pay the leccy bill and all that other stuff. But with Jax gone it’s just so hard for me to stop thinking about how I don’t have a best mate any more. And how much I miss him every single second of every single hour of every single day.” (P. 37)

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is the first novel by Australian author, Julietta Henderson. When they were ten, Norman Foreman and Jax Fenton made a Five Year Plan. Many thanks to Penguin books/Transworld publishers and Julietta Henderson for my ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. But - and I know I’m just being repetitive with this type of complaint - Sadie and Norman sounded exactly the same. I could sort of accept it, as Norman was a product of Sadie’s influence and he was seemingly precocious, but it still bugged me that they felt like the same character. Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they’re fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can’t wait, so he rewrites their plan:What a delightful read! This book is about what's really important: caring for each other and finding ways through the problems life throws at us, no matter how terrible they can be. The story is both hilarious and heart-warming, with one 'helluva' brave, wise, and lovable twelve-year-old hero... Three cheers for Norman Foreman! * Hazel Prior, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS * courtesy IMDB (c) Warner Bros. Family Entertainment) Halloween would not be Halloween without Scooby-Doo! somewhere in the hauntingly spooky and hilariously freaky mix and, of course, solving a great mystery which in the case of 1999’s Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost is literally bewitching one quaint New England town. The Continue Reading Certainly in Norman’s coming alive again, Henderson captures, so achingly beautifully, the tension we all feel when life moves on, as it always does, and we are faced with embracing it while trying to not forget the person we have lost. A brilliant and moving coming-of-age story in the tradition of Wonder by R. J. Palacio and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - this debut novel is written with tremendous humor and charm.

I did like the way the author showed how off our own self-perceptions can be. While this certainly can be true for those who think too highly of themselves, in this case, Sadie and Norman didn’t see themselves as special, while they were perceived so much differently by each other. Getting both perspectives was really helpful in that. There is humour in this book, it’s certainly moving at times, and there are characters to connect with, but, it didn’t quite work for me.....I really liked courtesy Allen & Unwin Book Publishers) We live in a grievously unbalanced world. No surprises there you say; one look at the 24/7 news cycle or at the place we work or the society in which we live and it becomes clear that fairness very rarely rules the day and Continue ReadingWell, that's the way my mother told it anyway. The way my father told it, the doctors gathered around the incubator every morning to discuss whether they'd be having my large intestine or my liver for their lunch, and whether it'd be with chips or salad. And that right there might tell you almost everything you need to know about my parents. The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is funny. It is charming, warm, and uplifting as well. There is so much to love about this book.' Laurie Frankel, author of This is How it Always Is Enter Leonard, the elderly janitor at the car yard where Sadie works. They share a quiet smile every day when Leonard secretly, silently, gives the finger to the bullying boss who takes such pleasure in insulting Leonard every morning. Only Sadie can see the gesture. Sadie knows she won't win Mother of the Year and she's not proud she doesn't know who her son's father is. But when she finds Norman's list, all she wants is to see her son smile again. So, enlisting the help of eccentric friend Leonard - an 84-year-old veteran with superior planning skills and a thirst for adventure! - they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman's dad along the way.

JAX AND NORMAN’S FIVE YEAR PLAN. Edinburgh Fringe 2023: For One Night Only –Norman and Jax –Teenage Comedy Geniuses!!! Steps:And while, there is very much a substantial element of that running through the delightfully engaging narrative, the reality is that there is also a tremendous amount of skillfully woven-in heartbreaking pain and grief. Norman is a wise lad, he is articulate, always tries to look for the good in a situation, and is so brave. How many twelve-year-olds do you know who would have the confidence to want to stand in front of a huge crowd and perform a comedy tribute? He is so loving and caring and tries to protect his mum from how he is really feeling about Jax. Norman – whose left eyebrow is hairier than his right; whose ears move up and down far more than other people’s when he chews; whose skin is plagued by psoriasis……is a small boy with a very BIG HEART. Let me say at the outset as a reader you will definitely need to suspend disbelief, more so the further on the book gets as some of it is over the top. But by then you’ll be happy to because these quirky characters will have worked their way into your heart and you will be cheering for them to achieve their goals. Filled with wisdom, gentle humour, and some laugh aloud moments, this definitely takes the reader on a fun filled and yet poignant journey.

Norman is a loveable character. You instantly feel for him and want to take him under your wing. Leonard is another loveable character. He's the grandpa we all wish we had. Sadie has a lot going on in her head which doesn't help with her mothering. She has her own hangups with her father which has transferred to fear for her son.What a delightful read! Hilarious and heartwarming, with one "helluva" brave, wise and lovable hero. Three cheers for Norman Foreman.' Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins