Absolutely Normal Chaos Sharon Creech

Absolutely Normal Chaos is the summer journal of the protagonist, Mary Lou Finney, from Walk Two Moons. Set in 1990s Ohio, the novel details a young woman’s conflicts with family, friends, and young men. The journal format should feel familiar to students who have written journal entries for their English classes. As Mary Lou reads the Odyssey in preparation for school in September, she embarks on her own epic journey through adolescence. Literary references mentioned casually in the novel expose students to some great works. Themes weaved into the narrative enlighten readers without sounding preachy.

Academic activities include reading, journal writing, comprehension questions, study of connections to the Odyssey and Robert Frost’s poetry, expository and creative essay writing, vocabulary exercises, analysis of themes and characters, predicting, dramatization, and assembling a portfolio.

Lessons include vocabulary and reading comprehension handouts that correspond to reading assignments. Brief vocabulary quizzes are in each lesson, and a cumulative vocabulary test is provided. Lessons also feature final project options and the opportunity to compare the novel to Chasing Redbird, also by Sharon Creech.