By: MJ AuchBy: MJ Auch

Published in 2006Published in 2006

Genre: FictionGenre: Fiction

• The story takes place at Norms The story takes place at Norms father’s meat shop.father’s meat shop.

• They lived in the time period of They lived in the time period of World War two.World War two.

• Norm Schmidt is a funny, & gutsy 11 Norm Schmidt is a funny, & gutsy 11 year old, who loses his hand in an year old, who loses his hand in an accident.accident.

• Leon is Norm’s best friend, who Leon is Norm’s best friend, who doubts that Norm can adapt to living doubts that Norm can adapt to living his life with one hand.his life with one hand.

• Norm is working in his father’s meat Norm is working in his father’s meat market when he loses his train of market when he loses his train of thought while grinding meat. He then thought while grinding meat. He then realizes his hand had got caught in realizes his hand had got caught in the grinder.the grinder.

• After the accident, Norm has to get After the accident, Norm has to get surgery to remove the grinder, but surgery to remove the grinder, but ends up having to remove his left ends up having to remove his left hand with it. Norm then has to adapt hand with it. Norm then has to adapt to living his life with one hand.to living his life with one hand.

• I think this book is great, but it was I think this book is great, but it was really sad. I cannot imagine myself really sad. I cannot imagine myself living my life one-handed.living my life one-handed.

• MJ Auch lives on a small farm.MJ Auch lives on a small farm.• Herm, her husband, and MJ have two Herm, her husband, and MJ have two

dogs named, Sophie & Zeke.dogs named, Sophie & Zeke.• Herm & MJ co-illustrate their picture Herm & MJ co-illustrate their picture

books.books.• MJ started out writing middle grade MJ started out writing middle grade

novels.novels.• MJ’s real name is Mary Jane.MJ’s real name is Mary Jane.

• Why aren’t fireworks allowed through Why aren’t fireworks allowed through the war?the war?

• How old is Norm?How old is Norm?

• What is Norm’s best friend’s name?What is Norm’s best friend’s name?

• How does Norm lose his hand?How does Norm lose his hand?

• Which hand does Norm lose?Which hand does Norm lose?

• Norm is 11 years old who lives during Norm is 11 years old who lives during world war 2. After the war is over, he world war 2. After the war is over, he is working in his father’s meat is working in his father’s meat market when he loses his hand in an market when he loses his hand in an accident. Now, Norm has to adapt to accident. Now, Norm has to adapt to living with one hand.living with one hand.