“Zachary Steele deftly draws characters that feel so real they could walk right off the page. This beautiful portrait of a boy trying to determine what it means to be ‘normal’ in a world that refuses to celebrate uniqueness is in turns quietly powerful, sharply insightful, and a stunning celebration of humanity—in all its messiness.”

– Coleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

“Zachary Steele’s coming-of-age novel, Perfectly Normal, artfully colors the page of Nate Alexander’s young world, a point of view shaped by Chromesthesia and autism. Through the deft strokes of Steele’s prose, the reader, like young Nate, will be moved by the ‘flares of yellow, orange and blue’ trailing ‘across the open pages, rhythmic and in sync with each chord’.”

– Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree

"In his remarkably empathetic depiction of Nate Alexander’s struggle for acceptance, Zachary Steele has created a singular character, one few readers will forget. Perfectly Normal is a novel that deserves a wide and appreciative audience. Bravo!"

– Ron Rash, award-winning author of Serena

“Perfectly Normal is a full sensory experience, a symphony of character, voice, and music. With rare sensitivity, Steele brings us into a boy’s life that is as uncommon as it is misunderstood—when music comes alive in color. Steele asks the important question—what is normal and who is privileged to define it? Fascinating, heartfelt, and deeply moving, Perfectly Normal will open you to new ways of being in the world.”

– Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea