Jess, Surviving Normal is a young adult novel about a smart and athletic high school student who finds life at his new, large city school both challenging and dangerous. Moving from a tranquil small-town high school to a large inner-city one immediately puts a crimp in Jess Jemison's style as well as his side. With his start delayed, it costs the sophomore a chance at the basketball team, and the notoriety that precedes him makes the acclimation process even more difficult. It's not until he is befriended by two classmates that matters take a turn for the better-or do they? Gangs, family, sports and racial issues keep Jess and his new friends in a scramble as they deal with the day-to-day events of adolescence. Jess, Dan-el and Jen, each in their own way, are smart and capable young people. Jess is reticent, shy and predictably na ve in his new setting, Dan-el is the portrait of a charismatic leader, and Jen is a steadying influence who knows what she wants and how to get it. Each is involved in sports: Jess in baseball, Dan-el in boxing, and Jen in basketball. If there is a common denominator in all that is diverse, it's due to the strength of family.
