BOOK REVIEW: The New Norm

THE NEW NORM
by Matthew J. Gilbert
Available now

"Norm" Norman used to be invisible, with only his long-time friends Jordan and Mia by his side. But that's all changing as he starts seventh grade. An awkward dentist's appointment turned into social media gold, and now Norm has tens of thousands of followers on ViewIt... some of whom are his middle school's most popular students! As the new school year begins, he's already dreaming of influencer fame, and that dream seems to be coming true.

But within a day or two, Norm begins to realize that his newfound fame might not be all it's cracked up to be. Between his first brush with paranormal friendship and the friction between his new and old friends, he finds himself in a difficult situation. Does he chase the excitement of finally being seen, or stick to the friends who have stood by him even when he wasn't popular?

Much like online life itself, The New Norm begins and ends briskly — only a scant few days pass within the world of the story itself. But that's just right for the young readers this book is speaking to, and it keeps very real pace with the social media ecosystem. This is an eye-opening read that kids and their parents should enjoy together. Kids will get important insight into the highs and lows of social media: how it can be beneficial, but also how it can greatly skew our view of popularity, friendship, and value. And grownups (especially people my age, who grew up in the before-times of passing handwritten notes) will benefit from this honest look at exactly how plugged-in students are, and how that affects their self-image.

The book also contains a preview of a second New Norm book in the offing, titled Pranks and Prejudice. It looks like this could end up being a very beneficial modern series, giving kids some much-needed perspective on the digital world.

TEA PAIRING: Wonderland Tea Party
Nothing is as it seems online, and popularity and personalities can change in the blink of an eye. This fruity color-changing tea fits that vibe perfectly, with butterfly pea flower altering the aesthetic of this brew as it steeps. Use my code KARA15 at checkout for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!