Astrid is about to start her last year at high school. And her first. When her dad loses his job, Astrid’s homeschooling comes to an end. Until now, she has lived within the confines of a tightly controlled, contracted world where there’s no room for anything … except following her father’s rules and pretending that everything is normal. As Astrid, and her mum, tentatively expand their world, they struggle to break free of their ingrained wariness and self-doubt. But with hope, new friends, and the strength of a promise, Astrid has a chance to find out what she wants, who she loves, and who she really is.
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Astrid, on the cusp of Adulthood and after 5 years of home schooling suddenly finds herself back in school. Trying to discover who she is navigating social situations, friendships & first love all whilst living a secret home life at the hands of an abusive father. Astrid will live in your heart long after the last page. Deanne, 17, VIC, 5 stars
Astrid is about to start her last year at high school, which is also her first year of high school. because her dad has lost his job and her mum, who was homeschooling her her, must return to work. Astrid has no idea how to socialise and we watch watch helplessly as she navigates all the barriers ahead. A beautifully written, insightful book. I loved it and I can see it on a high school reading list in the near future. Liesl, NSW, 5 stars
How to be Normal by author Ange Crawford delivers a powerful and enlightening read into the personal and social issues of bullying, violence and abuse (including coercive control). Meet Astrid – she is about to begin her last year of high school but effectively her first year at school given she has always been home schooled. Astrids home life is restrictive and beyond tightly controlled where she has to do what her father says at all times but to outsiders Astrid and her parents must put on a front where they’re a normal happy family. Astrid and her mum tentatively try to expand their world and work towards breaking free. With fresh hope, new friends Astrid grabs on to the chance to find out who she really is. And with the strength of a promise to break free of all that binds them Astrid and her mum can get the fresh start for a happy and healthy life they always should have had. While the content may be triggering, I strongly urge other readers to read to the very end – hope does shine through. Catherine, NSW, 5 stars
This book was very good. It had great detail of the characters and the story was intriguing. I wanted to keep reading and loved the ending Brooklyn, 12, SA, 5 stars
I liked that it was Australian & the idea of home school & then public school was different to most people. Usually go the opposite way. Characters were interesting & I really enjoyed it from the first page Shannan, NSW, 5 stars
“How To Be Normal” by Ange Crawford takes readers on an intriguing journey through the lenses of society’s idea of normalcy. Crawford’s writing is both insightful and deeply relatable, making it an engaging read from start to finish. Crawford’s exploration of normality is multifaceted, touching on themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. The book delves into the pressures of conforming to societal expectations, while also highlighting the beauty of individuality. Through personal anecdotes, expert opinions, and humorous commentary, Crawford manages to strike a balance between being informative and entertaining. One of the strengths of this book is its accessibility. Crawford writes in a conversational tone, making complex concepts easy to grasp for readers of all backgrounds. The author’s ability to connect with the reader on an emotional level is evident, as she shares her own struggles and triumphs in the pursuit of normalcy. Overall, “How To Be Normal” is a thought-provoking and heartwarming read. It challenges readers to question their own perceptions of normality and encourages them to embrace their unique selves. Whether you’re looking for a self-help guide, a memoir, or a sociological analysis, this book has something to offer. Crawford’s authentic voice and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of modern life. Roxana, 13, VIC, 5 stars
A heart wrenching story about a teenager living in two worlds – trying find a normal life at school while hiding her world of coercive control at home. A captivating coming of age story in an all too real world of coercive control. Chiara, WA, 5 stars
You’d be hard pressed to find a novel that deals in a contemporary manner coercive control experienced in families from a teenager’s perspective than How To Be Normal. Whilst the title may deceive you into thinking it’s a self help book, it’s actually a really interesting story of a young teenager who experiences the control of her father. Astrid has been homeschooled and is now learning to integrate into a school setting in her final year, whilst also desperately trying to hide what is happening at home. At times you can feel the tension building with her father, and you feel excruciatingly worried towards the end – no spoilers! Ange Crawford weaves the tale seemlessly where you feel the angst of walking on eggshells in combination with normal teenage frivolity such as spray painting hair. It’s definitely a read for young adults and adults alike. Nothing felt too “young” in the writing like some novels with a teenage protagonist. Readers should be aware there are helplines and further resources available in the back if they, or someone they care for, may be / have been experiencing coercive control. Stacey, WA, 5 stars
A brilliantly written YA gem How To Be Normal by Ange Crawford. I absolutely felt like I was recalling memories with this story. Being a kid who just wanted an ordinary, normal, carefree life. This novel explores Coercive Control in families and from the perspective of a teen girl stuck with a controlling father and a kind intelligent mother that is secretly trying to escape for good from this awful disheartening life. The older brother Nick already escaped and earned a law degree and through therapy built himself up to pull them out of the misery too. Although the book is aimed for 12yrs + I think nearly all of you I know have heard, observed or equally experienced first hand what Ange has written in her loosely based experience of the red flags in family dynamics and intimate relationships. I absolutely love the friendship and work/office network that helped these two women. It starts in the tween years of building relationships. Well done to Ange a fellow Queenslander for writing a truly worthy novel. Charlie, 11, QLD, 5 stars
My experience reading it was overall good. Some of the specifics on why I enjoyed this book was how in depth the author went into the character emotions, as a 13 year old I think how the emotional state of the main character was written made it just way easier to connect to and to get a stronger empathy to the characters. More on the actual story line I personally thought it was very enjoyable to read and although at the start it was quite hard to get into the actual plot, once you read it it was hard to put the book down. And honestly one of my favourite things was just some of the language that was put into the story. This is all coming from a 13 year old girl which I believe is a part of the targeted audience. Once I finished the book I definitely thought that while I very much enjoyed the book I also read slightly above my average year level. So I feel most of my friends would have a hard time reading this just with the fact that the plot is such a realistic thing that definitely could happen. Amelia, 13, WA, 4 stars
“How To Be Normal” follows Astrid in her last year of high school, a place as foreign as an uncharted country. In the background is her controlling, authoritative father, menacingly making her conform to his ideals. We learn so much about Astrid and the friendships she develops through Crawford’s insightful and astute writing. While recommended for a YA audience, I feel a certain level of maturity is assumed for the dark themes that are covered. I look forward to reading more from this emerging author Susan, VIC, 4 stars
This is a brave story that sensitively takes you into a world of coercive control and fear. There are so many layers to the family dynamic, secrets and fears that you are instantly drawn in to want to protect the women in the house. Through forging new friendships and learning to trust, Astrid finds herself and her own vice. This is more than just a coming of age story, it is a coming to life. Tina, QLD, 4 stars
How to be Normal by Australian author Ange Crawford is a heartfelt YA fiction debut. Astrid has been home schooled her entire life, that is until her father loses his job, and she is now about to start high school. Little does she know how open her world will become as she realises the confines and control her father has over her and her mother. Will they be able to break free and live the life they want? This mesmerising story took me by surprise as I felt drawn in by the confident, crisp writing. The author wastes no time in introducing the reader to the complex world of Astrid and the authority she has lived by. The cast of characters are sophisticated and memorable and developed to reflect the psychology of their age. The story is well-paced with emotionally charged scenes throughout the narrative, great dialogues, and a vivid setting. The plot has many surprises for readers, and they will love Crawfords gift for sustaining their curiosity and keeping their eyes on the pages until the satisfying end. A must read for all ages, I highly recommend. Melissa, SA, 4 stars
The story of a seventeen-year-old girl Astrid who is no longer being home-schooled by her mother and is going to mainstream school. After her father lost his job, her mother found employment and is working to pay the bills. But it isn’t easy when your father is very domineering and has coercive control. The joy and freedom are simply not there. This would have been a hard decision for Astrid’s mother to make knowing there would be consequences. But for their own safety they had to escape that environment and leave their father and husband behind. The sad reality is more of it goes on than what we see and believe. Annette, 15, NSW, 3 stars
We follow Astrid who is navigating her last year of high school, new friendships and relationships, & turning 18 all the while dealing with a coercive and controlling Father. Astrid finds it difficult to fully open up to her new friendships, due to the circumstances of her home life, therefore finds that it’s easier to “lie” & not let her true self be seen by others due to the way things are with her Dad. Astrid’s older brother Nick was able to escape the coercive control, and all throughout the story, there is talk of Astrid & her Mum escaping the abusive relationship also. An eye opening read, that Adults along with YA should read. Amanda, NSW, 3 stars
‘How to Be Normal’ by Ange Crawford is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of self-identity. The story follows Astrid, a young woman struggling to define what ‘normal’ means. Crawford weaves a compelling narrative that is both easy to read and deeply engaging, with a protagonist who is relatable and endearing in her social awkwardness. Through Astrid’s struggles, the book offers a reflection on how we define ourselves and what it means to be ‘normal’. Crawford’s ability to balance humour with heavier themes makes ‘How to Be Normal’ an enjoyable read with a meaningful message. Suzanne, NSW, 3 stars
I struggled to read this book. Probably because I am way outside of the target age range. At 82 I have difficulties relating to the issues facing kids like Astrid. Astrid’s family seem to all have pretty severe mental health issues. Her story is an insight into what is probably a common difficulty facing kids of today. Jan, WA, 1 star
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