Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Reviewed by Jennifer

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES


Ratings Explanation

Language: 25 instances of swearing and profanity. Some name calling directed at the main character, Shawn, who has cerebral palsy.

Violence: When some boys tease Shawn and get a lighter out to burn him, Shawn’s brother attacks them. He beats them up with his fists, kicks them, and pours gasoline on them and is about to start them on fire when his sister stops him.

Sexual Content: Some sexual language, “dick” and “hard on.” Shawn talks about a girl’s boobs and “scoring.”

Adult Themes: The effects that Shawn’s cerebral palsy has on the entire family. His dad’s difficulty in dealing with Shawn’s condition. “Mercy killing” in reference to “putting a person out of their misery.”

Synopsis

14-year old Shawn McDaniel cannot control any muscle in his body, not even his eyes. To look at him in his wheelchair, you would think that nothing is going on inside his brain, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Shawn suffers from cerebral palsy and serious seizures, but his mind is completely healthy. He remembers everything he hears, perfectly. He likes to watch TV and dreams about kissing his sister’s cute friend, but he has no way to communicate any of this. His father thinks he is suffering and considers putting Shawn out of his misery. Shawn realizes his father is only concerned about his well being, but Shawn doesn’t want to die. He wants to live.

Shawn is a very poignant character for me, partly because he is forgiving of the way others treat him, realizing they cannot understand that inside his body he is completely “normal,” and partly because he is not bitter about his condition. He has a sweet and mature perspective on his life.

Publishers Weekly lists this book as appropriate for ages 10 and up. Based on some of the content, I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.

©2009 The Literate Mother