MY ABNORMAL LIFE

Author: Lee McClain ISBN: 0843954663 3/2005 YOUNG ADULT Publisher: DORCHESTER/Smooch

Fifteen-year-old Rose Graham has never been to school. She's never had a date. She certainly never knew she was gorgeous. She's been too busy shoplifting food, keeping Social Services off her family's case, and taking care of her little sister. Now, plunged into a foster family in affluent Linden Falls, she's supposed to act normal. But high school parties, first kisses, and writing for the school newspaper seem so trivial when all Rose wants is to get her family back together. At least she has the Altlives computer game to help her cope. And Brian Johnson's broad shoulders to drive her crazy....

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

For all its complexities, MY ABNORMAL LIFE comes down to one simple thing: Home is where the heart is. Even if that home is filthy dirty, and in a less than desirable area. Even if that home is where your mother cannot bring herself to get out of bed and take care of you and your mentally-challenged younger sister. Even if you have to shoplift food in order to make sure you, your sister, and your mother survive. Did I mention that in that home, as the responsible adult, you are only fifteen?

What this book delivers is a dose of hard-core reality and understanding of both sides of the social services/foster-parent mess, while including the feelings and ideas of the kids involved. It's not all doom and gloom, since it aspires to bring some lightheartedness and teen anxiety into the mix. There are moments of brightness, and even belonging, that make the characters tangible.

Though short and sweet, the author does a great job of getting a troubling situation out to the masses, without being preachy and judgmental. The story has just the right mix of struggle with a touch of young romance. It's informative, yet still a cool read we all can relate to.

Shannon Johnson