EXTRA NORMAL

While saving her family from monsters, a very normal girl discovers what makes her special.

Twelve-year-old Charlie Greer is part of a unique family—her parents are paranormal investigators, and only she and her father are “normal.” As the ordinary one, Charlie has taken on the responsibility of caring for her adoptive younger siblings: Matty, a Deaf werewolf; Gideon, a genetically engineered telekinetic; and Opal, a nervous young ghost. She even cares for her parents, refusing to call them back from their desperately needed vacation even when a family of mind-controlling monsters moves in across the street. Marshall successfully combines an exciting, gently spooky adventure with some important messages. Charlie must learn two seemingly contradictory lessons: that she is, in fact, special, even if not magically, and that she does not need to carry the weight of the whole world on her young shoulders. Charlie reads white and is hearing; Matty’s mom was from Brazil, Gideon has black hair and brown skin, and Opal is white. The racially diverse background characters include a married gay couple. Despite being a creepy supernatural tale, the overall tone of the book is incredibly positive: There is never a moment of doubt about the love within Charlie’s family. The well-constructed plot leaves just enough unanswered questions to make readers hope for a sequel.

Simply a great read.