The funny thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson is a heartwarming story about love and loss, about the value of friendship and finding family, and discovering a bravery you didn’t think you had.
Norman Foreman is the kind of kid who doesn’t make friends easily, that is until he meets Jax. The two boys become best friends, the pair’s shortcomings each balanced by the other in a unique way. Their friendship is centered and indeed driven by their dream to be a successful comedy duo, giving rise to their five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they’re fifteen.
Sadly, Norman’s world is turned upside down when Jax dies before they turn twelve. His life now thrown out of balance he seeks to find comfort in honouring his friend by achieving their goal of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. Norman’s mom Sadie just wants to see her son smile again so agrees to his new plan, which just happens to include finding his dad.
Leonard, Sadie’s new octogenarian work friend, jumps at the chance to join them on this adventure, but is just the first of many new friends they will make along the way. You’ll find out more about the extraordinary once in a lifetime kind of friendship that Norman and Jax had through a delicately woven story. As it unfurls you’ll slowly learn more about Sadie, Norman and Leonard and you won’t be able to help falling a little bit more in love with each character.
I’m not sure my heart was quite ready for Norman, but I will say that his story made me laugh just as much as it made me ache with sadness. The funny thing about Norman Foreman will stay with me for some time to come, an inspiring book about a small boy who believes himself to be an unlikely hero but learns that he is so much more than he ever thought to be possible.
The funny thing about Norman Foreman is available for a recommended retail price of R285.
Thanks to Penguin Random House for sharing this book with us.
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