Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Cruise Control by Terry Trueman

A companion book to Stuck in Neutral, Cruise Control is told by Paul, Shawns brother. Paul is athletic, smart, and normal. Shawn is mentally handicapped and has seizures frequently. Paul, his mom, and his sister Cindy all take care of Shawn, and it is now starting to take its toll on him. He is going to college soon and he feels that he is abandoning the family. Their father ran out on them and it seems he doesn't care but he does. Through out the book you get a sense of the hardship this family goes through, and the emotion each character goes through is felt by the words the author uses. Cruise Control shows the other side of what it is like to have a mentally handicapped sibling. It is a quick read and will be enjoyed by all who read it.

Tom Burnham

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