ParaNorman: A Novel

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Jun 2012 · Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

About this ebook

In a quaint New England town with a history of witches and pilgrims, misunderstood eleven-year-old Norman Babcock can see and talk to ghosts. No one believes him, of course-everyone just thinks he's weird (including his parents). But when a folktale of a witch who cursed her accusers turns out to be true, it's up to Norman to save the town from pilgrim zombies! He'll also have to take on a very angry witch, an annoying sidekick, his boy-crazy teenage sister, and dozens of moronic grown-ups who get in his way. This young ghoul whisperer finds his paranormal talents pushed to their otherworldly limits in this hilarious and spooky adventure!

Featuring gorgeous black-and-white interior illustrations and a story beyond what you'll see in the film, this novel is sure to delight!

Ratings and reviews

Author Elizabeth Kimmel has another winner for mid-grade children. In "ParaNorman", seventh grader Norman Babcock finds himself a loner and an outcast in the small New England town of Blithe Hollow. The area is known for its history of witch trials and Blithe Hollow has its own witch in the form of a tiny girl who, three hundred years ago, cast a spell on the town when she was put to death as a witch. Since Norman can talk to the dead, he is the prime target to put the spell to rest so that the town can rid itself of the zombie plague which threatens to surface each year. Since everyone in the town thinks of Norman as just another really weird kid, there is no one to come to Norman's rescue when the zombies begin to rise. But then something strange and wonderful occurs. One person believes and then another and another. Soon, Norman realizes he is not as alone as he had first feared. Kimmel does a wonderful job of character development. The child reader will surely place himself or herself in the book, along with friends from school. There are bullies and fat children and perfect kids and brainiacs, all of whom feel left out of the mainstream life. The lessons are learned and incorporated through the adventures described in the story and because of that, this turns out to be one terrific book!

I will end up reading this story again, very enjoyable with a surprise twist. The lessons to be learned within this books pages are for all ages.

I hated the movie when I was forced to watch it and I bet I'll hate this more!

About the author

Elizabeth Cody Kimmel is the author of the Lily B. books and many other books for young readers. To write this series, she consulted with a renowned medium. Elizabeth lives in Cold Spring, New York. You can visit her online at www.codykimmel.com.