NEANDERTHAL OPENS THE DOOR TO THE UNIVERSE
BY PRESTON NORTON | PUBLICATION: JUNE 5, 2018DISNEY HYPERION | GENRE: YA FICTION
RATING: ★★★★★
"It will take you on an emotional journey in various directions."
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Cliff Hubbard is a huge loser. Literally. His nickname at Happy Valley High School is Neanderthal because he's so enormous-6'6" and 250 pounds to be exact. He has no one at school and life in his trailer park home has gone from bad to worse ever since his older brother's suicide.
There's no one Cliff hates more than the nauseatingly cool quarterback, Aaron Zimmerman. Then Aaron returns to school after a near-death experience with a bizarre claim: while he was unconscious he saw God, who gave him a list of things to do to make Happy Valley High suck less. And God said there's only one person who can help: Neanderthal.
To his own surprise, Cliff says he's in. As he and Aaron make their way through the List, which involves a vindictive English teacher, a mysterious computer hacker, a decidedly unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, the local drug dealers, and the meanest bully at HVHS--Cliff feels like he's part of something for the first time since losing his brother. But fixing a broken school isn't as simple as it seems, and just when Cliff thinks they've completed the List, he realizes their mission hits closer to home than he ever imagined.
There's no one Cliff hates more than the nauseatingly cool quarterback, Aaron Zimmerman. Then Aaron returns to school after a near-death experience with a bizarre claim: while he was unconscious he saw God, who gave him a list of things to do to make Happy Valley High suck less. And God said there's only one person who can help: Neanderthal.
To his own surprise, Cliff says he's in. As he and Aaron make their way through the List, which involves a vindictive English teacher, a mysterious computer hacker, a decidedly unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, the local drug dealers, and the meanest bully at HVHS--Cliff feels like he's part of something for the first time since losing his brother. But fixing a broken school isn't as simple as it seems, and just when Cliff thinks they've completed the List, he realizes their mission hits closer to home than he ever imagined.
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NEANDERTHAL OPENS THE DOOR TO THE UNIVERSE addresses many elements common in contemporary high school dramas. It will take you on an emotional journey in various directions. Yet, high school wouldn’t be high school without its dramas. I appreciate how Preston Norton managed to weave everything together and deliver a thoughtful exploration. He was straightforward, and all the parts fit cohesively. The story contains intense emotions, and I genuinely believe many readers will find value in it, regardless of their belief in God.
Cliff is an extraordinary character. A Neanderthal. Everything about him is larger than life, including his kind heart and sharp mind. He has a balance (Luke Skywalker would be proud) that many overlook. However, he also carries pain and guilt. Often, I felt like embracing this giant and reassuring him that his intentions are good.
This book is both deeply touching and humorous. I found myself both sniffling and laughing at times, sometimes simultaneously. I highlighted numerous passages because I couldn’t get enough of Norton’s cleverness. He created a diverse cast of intriguing characters and tackled important topics, with BIAS being a central theme. This is a significant issue made up of many factors, making life difficult for many, especially young people.
I highly recommend this book. Sensitive readers should be aware that it contains a lot of swearing, but also understand that such language reflects real life.
We’re all going to die. And we only have so many cares to give in a lifetime. So care about what truly matters.
Cliff is an extraordinary character. A Neanderthal. Everything about him is larger than life, including his kind heart and sharp mind. He has a balance (Luke Skywalker would be proud) that many overlook. However, he also carries pain and guilt. Often, I felt like embracing this giant and reassuring him that his intentions are good.
This book is both deeply touching and humorous. I found myself both sniffling and laughing at times, sometimes simultaneously. I highlighted numerous passages because I couldn’t get enough of Norton’s cleverness. He created a diverse cast of intriguing characters and tackled important topics, with BIAS being a central theme. This is a significant issue made up of many factors, making life difficult for many, especially young people.
I highly recommend this book. Sensitive readers should be aware that it contains a lot of swearing, but also understand that such language reflects real life.
We’re all going to die. And we only have so many cares to give in a lifetime. So care about what truly matters.
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About the Author:
Preston Norton teaches environmental science to fifth graders. He is the author of Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe, Where I End & You Begin, and Hopepunk. He is married with three cats.
*Thank you Disney Hyperion and Netgalley for the DRC,
in exchange for this unbiased review.
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