Skip to content

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality Paperback - 2013

by John Schwartz


Summary

A heartfelt memoir by the father of a gay teen, and an eye-opening story for families who hope to bring up well-adjusted gay adults.

Four years ago, John Schwartz, a national correspondent at The New York Times, got the call that every parent hopes never to receive: his thirteen-year-old son, Joe, had tried to commit suicide. Hours before, he had come out to his classmates— and was met by dismay and confusion. After school he took an overdose of pills.
 
Oddly Normal is Schwartz’s very personal attempt to address his family’s own struggles within a culture that is changing fast, but not fast enough to help gay kids like Joe. Schwartz follows Joe through childhood to the present day, interweaving his narrative with common questions, including: Are effeminate boys and tomboy girls necessarily gay? Is there a relationship between being gay and suicide or mental illness? Should a child be pushed into coming out? Parents, teachers, and counselors alike will welcome Oddly Normal and its crucial lessons about helping gay kids—and any kid who is different—learn how to cope in a potentially hostile world.

From the publisher

A heartfelt memoir by the father of a gay teen, and an eye-opening story for families who hope to bring up well-adjusted gay adults. Four years ago, John Schwartz, a national correspondent at The New York Times, got the call that every parent hopes never to receive: his thirteen-year-old son, Joe, had tried to commit suicide. Hours before, he had come out to his classmates-- and was met by dismay and confusion. After school he took an overdose of pills. Oddly Normal is Schwartz's very personal attempt to address his family's own struggles within a culture that is changing fast, but not fast enough to help gay kids like Joe. Schwartz follows Joe through childhood to the present day, interweaving his narrative with common questions, including: Are effeminate boys and tomboy girls necessarily gay? Is there a relationship between being gay and suicide or mental illness? Should a child be pushed into coming out? Parents, teachers, and counselors alike will welcome Oddly Normal and its crucial lessons about helping gay kids--and any kid who is different--learn how to cope in a potentially hostile world.

Details

  • Title Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
  • Author John Schwartz
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Avery Publishing Group, New York
  • Date 2013-09-03
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Price on Product - Canadian
  • ISBN 9781592408405 / 1592408400
  • Weight 0.55 lbs (0.25 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 in (20.07 x 13.46 x 1.78 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Interdisciplinary Studies: Gender/Sexuality Studies
    • Sex & Gender: Gay
    • Topical: Family
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 03/01/2014, Page 0
  • New York Times Book Review, 09/29/2013, Page 30

About the author

John Schwartz is a national correspondent with The New York Times. He currently lives in New Jersey with his college sweetheart, Jeanne Mixon. They have three children and two difficult cats.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by John Schwartz

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
COCOA, Florida, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.50
$4.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, September 2013. Trade Paperback. Used - Good .
Item Price
$2.50
$4.99 shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Like New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery. Used - Like New. Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp.Has a remainder mark. Paperback Used - Like New Ships fast! 2013Reprint
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery. Used - Good. Readable book with typical wear and small creases. Part of cover is torn. Has a remainder mark. Paperback Used - Good 2013Reprint
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mansfield, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery. Used - Very Good. Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp.Has a remainder mark. Paperback Used - Very Good Ships fast! 2013Reprint
Item Price
$2.97
$3.49 shipping to USA
Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.06
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$5.06
FREE shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2013-09-03. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$5.36
FREE shipping to USA
Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by John Schwartz

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

Oddly Normal : One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by John Schwartz

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2013. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by John Schwartz

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.71
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Gotham, 2013-09-03. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$7.71
FREE shipping to USA
Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Oddly Normal: One Family's Struggle to Help Their Teenage Son Come to Terms with His Sexuality

by Schwartz, John

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781592408405 / 1592408400
Quantity Available
800
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$13.00
$3.99 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Avery, 2013-09-03. Paperback. New.
Item Price
$13.00
$3.99 shipping to USA