This book is so wonderful and unique I'm not sure how to do it justice in a review. I don't know how the author managed it, but the topics of suicide, bullying, loss, depression, and more are dealt with both honestly and outrageously in a hilarious manner. There is an actual mission from God in here guys. Think more Blues Brothers than Sunday school style. Highly recommended!

A story about two unlikely friends coming together to try to make the world a better place. Heartwarming, funny, and heartbreaking, this is a wonderful take on a coming of age story.

Yeah, I enjoyed this book so much! I loved Cliff's narration, and the whole concept of a near death experience, meeting God and given a list of things to improve the school. It's a fantastic book, about making the world a better place, people being different then they seem, and suicide and dealing with the aftermath.

Cliff is smarter then his appearance suggests. Because of both facts-his intelligence and his appearance, he's developed a defense mechanism that kept everybody at bay. Everybody but his brother. And losing him, and the way it happened, it's made him angry and in the beginning, he welcomed any chance to unleash that anger on the world.

These different characters had their different strengths and as a group, they accomplished quite a lot. The different skills needed to check off different items on the list, from getting a teacher to realize why he loved teaching, to the face off with the religious group, they were provided by these different characters. They were all needed!

Kinda hiding throughout this book, but peeking out here and there until the end where it was showcased, was suicide, specifically that of Cliff's brother. As well as grief and living in the aftermath, it was a pretty big pillar of this book.

Yeah, this book was fantastic and such a great read, and a great book!

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe
by Preston Norton

I have read a couple of books lately that confirmed for me that I am simply too old to appreciate the edgy, increasingly depressing and horrifying themes of recent YA novels. And yes, I am too old, but this book was not one of them. The ironically named Happy Valley High has the typical roster of peer groups wreaking havoc on the self-esteem of the tender-hearted, but Cliff Hubbard has had enough of all of that. Instead, in a twist of fate only a decidedly adept novelist could achieve, the awkward, 6’6” 250lb Hubbard is teaming up with the ridiculously popular quarterback, to accomplish what is perhaps my favorite mission statement ever, “to make the school suck less.”

I don’t usually like to summarize the books I review, but I wanted to do this here, because I think the plot itself seems, in those few sentences, to be wildly unbelievably and unlikely to compel a teenage reader. But Norton’s writing is sharp and his observations are spot on and often hilarious, despite the serious topics he tackles. Cliff Hubbard is a character who literally cannot be ignored. This book will make your heart hurt, but it will also make you smile, and it may even provide a little hope for those of us who agree that making school suck less is always a worthy goal.



For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — Because I loved Wonder, and other books about unlikely heroes.
Reminded me of… A little bit of Relativity and Faithful, for their sense of mission.
For my full review — click here

A great book! Loved the characters, the plot was very interesting. Reccomended it to a few friends and they all liked this book.

Warning: This novel contains strong language and touches the topic of suicide.

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe is the one novel I feel like I had on my kindle app for the longest time. I got it unsolicited from the publisher (which I’m very thankful for) way before it was published, and then at first I saved it so I could read it closer to it’s releasing day, but then life got in a way, I hit that blogging and reviewing slump, and this book was one of the victims of the mental state I was in.

As Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe was on many bloggers lists of favorite books of 2018, I decided it was the time for me to read this book myself, and now when I finished it, I only feel sorry I didn’t get this book a chance sooner, because it was amazing!

The story follows Cliff who is known at school as Neanderthal because of his height. He got into fight with a popular boy at school, Aaron Zimmerman, and he is on his mission to get revenge.
However, after nearly death experience Aaron comes back to school claiming that God spoke to him, and gave him the list to make their high school a better place, and Cliff is the chosen one to help him complete the list.
From there we watch a new friendship being born and follow our main characters on their adventure to discover life.

First of all, this book is really funny. It talks about serious topics like poverty and suicide, but it still has that intelligent humour that never came over board. I really appreciate it for that.
Second, the way serious topics and problems were talked about made me appreciate this novel even more, because it touches important things, but never loses that light tone.

I think that I’ve read that this novel is perfect for fans of John Green and I agree, but also I have to stress out that there is something unique that Preston Norton gave to this story, something that is entirely his.

I know, in my reviews, I usually say that I want to read author’s other books, but this time I’ll say I know I will read Norton’s next novel, because there is no way I’m going to let myself miss it. I will probably read it as soon as it comes out!

As you probably guessed, Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe impressed me, and if I read it last year, it would probably on my list of favorites too, but there is a big chance it shows up on my 2019 favorite lists.

If you like ya contemporary and coming of age stories, trust me, you do not want to miss this one!

I thought this book was really great. It had a wonderful sense of humor and it was definitely a spunky story for teens. The main protagonist is hilarious and I enjoyed the story overall.

Seventeen year old Clifford Hubbard lost his brother to suicide which means he's lost his best friend in the entire world which means that Happy Valley High School sucks more than EVER. Not only are there the jocks, Aaron Zimmerman and Kyle Dunston, who make his life a living hell but then there's the JTs who are over-zealous Jesus lovers with a mission to wreak havoc on HVHS.

But then one day, Aaron Zimmerman ends up in a three day coma and he wakes up claiming that he's seen God and that God has enlisted him to complete a List of 5 things. And Aaron just needs the help of one person: Cliff Hubbard.

So the two embark on a mission to change Happy Valley High School and the two discover the true meaning of life.
Cliff Hubbard made me laugh out loud on several occasions, which instantly made me like him. And he's not the only one. The friendship that develops between Cliff and Aaron is refreshing and funny and the rest of the cast adds the same humoristic feels: Tegan, Jack, and Julian.

Although this comes off as a humorous story, at its core it's far more than that. It focuses on how we deal with grief after losing someone unexpectedly, especially to suicide, and how someone's unexpected death can lead to more questions than answers. At its core it examines LIFE and what the point of LIFE is. What's important and what's not? What do we do when we think we're broken and beyond repair?

"'Even if there isn't a God or a heaven or anything,' if you could just, like, haunt me or do some of that freaky ghost shit and scare the crap out of me every once in awhile, I'd totally be okay with that."

That's Cliff talking to his brother Shane and, boy, did it make me laugh.

I recommend this one for anyone looking for a book that tackles heavy topics in an appropriately light-hearted way.

I really had no idea what I was getting into when I started this novel, but I'm so glad I picked it up. It seemed like modern day Breakfast Club with a twist and I loved it. It was quirky, fun, and it hit on a lot of delicate topics. Norton handled those topics well and I really enjoyed the strength that each of his characters showed.

I think the characters wee what really made this novel stand out. Cliff was an incredibly memorable character and I found myself relating to him and being truly heartbroken by his circumstances. I kept feeling like I just wanted to reach inside the book and give him a hug. I was moved by this novel and it will be one that sticks with me for quiet some time. I would highly recommend this novel if you are a fan of contemporary YA reads. Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4/5

The NEANDERTHAL OPENS THE DOOR TO THE UNIVERSE by Preston Norton is a humorous, yet heartbreaking young adult novel.

Filled with quirky characters and references to pop culture, this fast-paced novel tells the story of a super-sized teen named Cliff who aimlessly wanders through high school while dealing with family issues and mean classmates. When a popular football player befriends him and asks for his help, Cliff begins a quest to make his school a better place and along the way finds himself.

Librarians will find this witty novel to be popular with readers who appreciate snarky humor and teen angst, yet also enjoy a thought-provoking story that addresses common coming-of-age problems. Teens will particularly enjoy the classic stereotypical cliques, first-person commentary, and hopeful conclusion.

Published on Jun 5, 2018 by Disney Book Group. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Disney Hyperion and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Cliff Hubbard is searching for meaning in his life, although he many not know it yet. A social pariah, due to both his brother's untimely death and his relative size, no one is more surprised than Cliff when quarterback Aaron Zimmerman enlists his help. Once Cliff gets past the feeling that he is the butt of the joke, will he allow Aaron's purpose to become his own? Will Cliff's personal struggles take on a different meaning?

Cliff has a unique voice, as his snarky comebacks and quick wit give his words some brevity despite the heavy issues portrayed in this book. Cliff and Aaron's quest is an interesting twist to what could have been the standard YA book. Until around 100 pages from the end, Neanderthal Opens the Door was a solid 4, but the predictable ending ruined what was a great book. With a novel that includes an unexpected plot and great characters, I expected more than just the typical conclusion. It is kind of like sitting down to a great grilled cheese sandwich, crisp and toasted to perfection, but finding out that most of the cheese has inexplicably disappeared. If the rating system would allow, I would give Neanderthal Opens the Door 3 1/2 stars. I would recommend this book YA readers, for its great message and well-intentioned lessons about life.

Rating: 2.5 I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. The concept was a bit intriguing but I don't think the execution was to my liking. It was like the writing was confused. One minute there was some serious and heavy topics but the next moment it came off like an episode of Full House where everything works out in the end and everyone learns a lesson. (Which isn't necessary a bad thing---I loved Full House growing up---but than I grew up and realized that's not real life. Most of the time things don't work out perfectly with loose ends all tied up. Ultimately, I didn't hate this but felt a disconnect with it. It keep my interest enough that I kept reading but I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to friends.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC. Sorry it took me so long to actually sit and read this.

There were parts where I actually laughed out loud. Some of it is milk out nose funny. Not every joke lands, but in real life, not every joke lands. Cliff is a good narrator. He is reliable. He is honest.

The book starts off in a stumble but picks up steam. It ends, but then it doesn't. That is when things fall apart. The big "shock" doesn't work because it was pretty obvious. The dodge/fake out set up is not really believable for anyone who has ever kept a journal. If you are keeping a journal, you expect it to be private. You do not lie to yourself. That is a cop out. Almost all the rest of the relationships seem real. Even the way the friendship between Cliff and Aaron develops. While it is a bit contrived, it works. The depiction of Jack and Julian and their friends could seem two dimensional, but every geek in the world will see a bit of him/herself in those dorks. I know I did.

There is enough good in here to hand this book around to every high schooler. The message is important even if it stumbles a bit in the delivery.

Definitely recommend this heartfelt and funny book! It was an unusual friendship and great secondary characters, I'm thankful I took the time to read this book!

What would you do if your arch enemy told you he was on a mission from God and he needed your help? At 6'6" tall, weighing in at 250 pounds and nicknamed Neanderthal, Cliff Hubarrd, an outcast at his school, decides to help Aaron Zimmerman, the "mister perfect football player" who has made his life hell at Happy Valley High School. Their mission?

Make Happy Valley High School Suck Less.

Cliff's decision to help after Aaron's traumatic accident and vision sends the unlikely duo on an epic adventure to complete a list from God that was impossible for me to put down. With an amazing cast of characters, Preston Norton has written a YA novel that I think many will love.

I laughed.

I cried.

I believed in the characters and their mission.

I think you will too.

High School & up (Copy from Netgalley)

I'd love to discuss this one with a group. I want to talk about the mission, the goals, the vagueness of the language, the steps the boys take. I want to discuss forms of awakening and dealing with grief, of portrayal and perception. THere's a great deal one can unpack from this relatively straightforward novel. The plot is somewhat predictable and the characters are not overly complex but the charm factor out weighs the weaknesses.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced eGalley Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton.

Cliff Hubbard is a mostly invisible, socially checked out, 16-year old. He's recently lost his older brother (Shane) to suicide. Since Shane was his only true friend, and connection to the social world, Cliff now feels adrift in the world he's been left to endure.

One day the school's star QB (Aaron)--good looking, super popular, and a teen that's basically considered "all that" by his peers--gets into a fight with Cliff. Cliff is suspended, and no more is meant to be thought of the incident. However, it's clear the fight leaves an impression on Aaron about the type of kid Cliff is--one that could loosely be interpreted as respect.

Cliff views Aaron as just another rung on a ladder he'll never be invited to climb and, quite frankly, doesn't want to bother with anyhow. 

Shortly thereafter, however, and completely unrelated to their fight, Aaron has an accident  leave which leaves him in a coma for a week. Once awake, he claims to have seen God. God has assigned Aaron the task of making their high school a better via the completion of a list of five things.

The catch is, he's going to need Cliff's help.

Cliff is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees to help Aaron out, and quickly finds value within the lists intentions. He also hopes to find some closure, and peace, for himself. 

While Cliff is the book's main character, he's also fairly one-dimensional. Perhaps that is on purpose?

Although it's clear he's working through a great deal of grief, there is so much emphasis placed on his height and size--which, honestly, he isn't that big--it's distracting. Barely a paragraph goes by where we're not reminded of how large Cliff is, or how much space he's taking up; good grief, it's like, we get it, HE'S REALLY BIG.  

After awhile such references took away from the story, instead of adding to it. 

As for other characters, it seemed like a roll call of stereotypes: the geek, the nerd, the Jesus Freak, the potheads, the minority, etc. And none of these people went against type. There were instances where their depth was made apparent, but they were mostly assigned roles to play, so they played them as such. 

In the end, this is a book that takes a strong look at grief, sexuality, spirituality, and the perceptions we choose to hold onto--even in the face of truth--and how the need to conform to those truths can sometimes lead to the inability to "be yourself".

There are lots of laughs within the story, and they are a necessary break from the heavier themes--plus there's a bit of a twist that some may not see coming--but there were also times when the story felt longer than it needed to be, and the point could've been a lot quicker in coming.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

I want the main character to be a real person, and then I want that real person to be my friend. Tarantino movies and making fun of stuff FOR LIFE!

Okay. What did I like so much beyond the main character? If I’m keeping it 100 with you, he’s pretty much the whole book. It’s told completely from his perspective. Most of us are a result of our environment, but Neanderthal’s environment is a result of him. Honestly, the supporting characters are great. Each one very real and very unique, but they’re living in a pretty big shadow.

Neanderthal (a.k.a. Cliff) is witty, funny, sarcastic, and full of pop culture references, most of which I know and love. All of that, of course, are the walls he’s put up to keep people from knowing the real Cliff, but fear not, dear readers. You will know the real Cliff in all his glory, warts and all. His less-than-perfect home life, the misery that lives in his head, and the soft and squishy core of emotions that come out when they can no longer be contained.

On the surface, this book seems to be light, fun, and goofy. A couple of high school kids running around getting into hijinks. And while it feels like that at times, it also tackles so many issues facing high schoolers—and adults—today.

Bullying, abuse, drugs, death, and suicide. Even Religion. I’m not about to start talking about religion, but I will say that no matter what your beliefs (or lack of) you’ll be comfortable reading this book.

So who should read this book? Good question. Definitely teenagers. There are a lot of messages in this book that teenagers need to read. Also, parents of teenagers. I can’t say how well this book represents the plights of today’s teenagers (since I'm old AF), but I think it’ll give a lot of insight regardless. If you know a teenager, you might as well give it a read as well. Or… if you ever were a teenager. So, yeah, pretty much everyone.

A synopsis of this book will make it sound weirder than it really is - the main character Cliff, who is not so nicely nicknamed Neanderthal by his high school classmates, is kind of a miserable loner, but finds his life changed when his previous nemesis, a popular football player, wakes up from a coma declaring that God has given him a list of things to fix at their high school, and that God told him Cliff is supposed to help him do this. But the book is neither crazy nor religious - more of an unlikely friends and band of high school misfits kind of novel. It's no John Green (even though it wants to be), but it was an entertaining read with some unique characters. 3.75 stars, so rounding up to 4.

Bullies become friends, neanderthals find love and acceptance, and an entire school is changed for the better - what more could you ask for? A little humor and tongue-in-cheek story-telling, which this book also has in spades.