Header Image

Mini Review: Stuck in Neutral (Terry Trueman)

Title: Stuck in Neutral
Author: Terry Trueman
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 114
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Challenges: Dewey Read-a-Thon
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from my school library
Summary (from the back of the book): Shawn McDaniel's life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. He is glued to his wheelchair, unable to voluntarily move a muscle--he can't even move his eyes. For all Shawn's father knows, his son may be suffering. Shawn may want a release. And as long as he is unable to communicate his true feelings to his father, Shawn's life is in danger. To the world, Shawn's senses seem dead. Within these pages, however, we meet a side of him that no one else has seen--a spirit that is rich beyond imagining, breathing life.

Review: This is one of those books that gets me thinking about what would I do, how would I handle this situation? And, the answer is I just don't know how I would do.

This story is based on the author's own experiences. From what he says in the Author's Note, his child is a quadrapalegic who cannot communicate. The author assumes there is something going on inside, but admits he doesn't know for sure. Wow!

I think he described the thoughts of the main character very well and really got into his head as well as those of his parents, making me think about what it would be like to be on each side of this situation. The book is a quick read, but really makes the reader think. The end is extremely intense as the reader waits to find out if Shawn's father does indeed kill hime to "end his suffering" (of course, I am not going to tell you how it ends).

1 comment

Nicole said...

Taking a break from my usual lurking to cheer on all the Read-a-Thoners. I read Stuck in Neutral a few years ago and being on tenterhooks the whole time. Perfect book for the read-a-thon and a great review. Enjoy the rest of your 24-hour read!