Two boys. Two secrets. David Piper has always been an outsider. His parents think he's gay. The school bully thinks he's a freak. Only his two best friends know the real truth - David wants to be a girl. On the first day at his new school Leo Denton has one goal - to be invisible. Attracting the attention of the most beautiful girl in year 11 is definitely not part of that plan. When Leo stands up for David in a fight, an unlikely friendship forms. But things are about to get messy. Because at Eden Park School secrets have a funny habit of not staying secret for long ...

Prizes

Short-listed for "The Bookseller" YA Book Prize 2016,Short-listed for Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Older Fiction 2016,Short-listed for Branford Boase Award 2016

"A sensational, heart-warming and life-affirming debut. Lisa Williamson writes witty, charming characters you can't help but root for." - James Dawson; "The Art of Being Normal is the best YA novel I've read this year. David and Leo are unforgettable characters whose story will break your heart - and then mend it again. A truly remarkable debut; I can't recommend it highly enough. Everyone - and I mean EVERYONE - should read this incredible book." - Cat Clarke

Lisa was born and grew up in Nottingham. She studied drama at Middlesex University and since graduating has worked as an actor on stage and TV. Between acting jobs Lisa temped in offices across London, typing stories when no one was looking, one of which eventually became THE ART OF BEING NORMAL. Lisa lives in North London with her boyfriend.