What readers think of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman, plus links to write your own review.

This book was absolutely an amazing from the start! I fell in love with Norman, but also Leonard and all that he brought to this novel This book is about a trip to perform at a comedy show, but also a journey through some soul searching. Julietta hooks the reader with this storyline and connects readers to characters that are so relatable. It is through the ups and downs of life that we are able to empathize with the misfortunes of the characters. This is certainly a must read!

I absolutely loved The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson. The road trip that the unlikely trio of Norman, Sadie, his mum and Leonard (the grandfather everyone would love to have) is the best adventure ever!!! Norman is a wonderful kid and Sadie his mum has a big heart but has made some poor choices in her life due to unresolved grief about her father. Leonard is such a stellar character- he is the quirky grandfather everyone needs. These three characters will stay with me for a long time and I loved the ending. The author has a wonderful sense of humor. I loved everything about this book but I think it needs a better title.

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman was an amazing book by a debut author. This book about a 12-year-old boy and his single mother was a delight. Although there was pathos and sadness surrounding the loss of Norman's best friend, Jax, and comedy partner, there was love and growth and friendship and stamina and determination. Norman is determined to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe to perform his comedy, even though Jax was the funny one of the duo. He also wants his mother to help him find his father, one of four possibilities. What a wild ride this was and what a pleasure it was to meet the characters along the way. I loved this book!

A truly enjoyable story about 11-year-old Norman and his single mum in England. He's just lost his best friend (a very quirky and charismatic boy) -- so, with the help of an elderly co-worker (who knows how to do A LOT), his mum agrees to let Norman try to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. And perhaps figure out who his dad is along the way. Mum is not very confident but she loves him very much. Quite a road trip. The book has some quite sad bits but there are some laugh-out-loud parts too. You have no heart if you don't like this book. For fans of BEAR NECESSITY and THE BRILLIANT LIFE OF EUDORA HONEYSETT -- we all need friends and the village to help us.

I loved this book!! Norman Foreman and his Mom Sadie have a zest for life. Sadie is a dedicated mom. Even if she can't remember to buy food or do the laundry, she is always there for Norman. Norman seems to have started out from the" get go" with a can do attitude. He becomes best friends with Jax-they share a wild sense of humor. At ten years old they come up with a five year plan to do a comedy routine at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. The plan is already a stretch financially, but neither of them allowed for one of them dying. When Jax dies Norman decides he must stick with the plan and his Mom supports him. They are joined by Leonard, an old guy from Sadies' work, who, although he appears to be a sad sack, turns out to have super technical skills. Leonard, Sadie and Norman hit the road and even though they are all underdogs, and Norman is not prepared to do a solo comedy show, they forge onward. This book has many colorful characters, some real challenges, and is full of heart!!

As the daughter of a former stand-up comedian, I was immediately drawn to the story of the young, sensitive, skin-peeling, heart-broken protagonist, Norman Foreman. Told in alternating narrative from the points of view of Norman and his mum (who had some issues of her own to resolve) I loved bouncing between the two as they set forth on an adventure from Penzance to Edinburgh with a new best friend as their guide—a journey reminiscent of Milo's in The Phantom Tollbooth if he had set off with Bridget Jones and Ove instead of Tock and the Humbug. I cheered each milestone as Norman collected new friends along with some old jokes as he persevered in his mission, which like Milo's was thought to be impossible. The Funny Thing About Norman Forman is the more you get to know him, the more you understand his drive to succeed, his love for his mum, and his unwavering desire to fulfill a promise to a cherished, but recently departed friend.

This is the sweetest, funniest and often times saddest book I have read in a long time. I loved every minute I spent with the characters. It may not be great literature, but I felt really good (as I am sure anyone would) when I finished and who can ask for more in a pandemic? I can hardly wait to put it in the hands of a friend.

I loved this book. When I first started reading, I thought the plot would be somewhat formulaic, but I was quickly proved wrong. Sadie and Norman are a wonderfully human family that you can't help but root for as they carry on both their literal and figurative journeys. The ending was bittersweet and uplifting in equal measures. This is a book with a wonderful message about life, dreams and love, making it a great read for these pandemic times.