Cruise Control

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

I have a confession to make. I actually wasn't going to start reading CRUISE CONTROL for another week or two. After all, I had just read INSIDE OUT and STUCK IN NEUTRAL in quick succession. I have a lot of other books on my reviewing plate, and I didn't want anyone to think I had a Terry Trueman obsession. But then I decided, "I want to read this book now, I probably do have a Terry Trueman obsession, and no one is going to stop me!" So...that's my story, I'm sticking to it, and now for the story of CRUISE CONTROL...

This book is billed as the companion book to STUCK IN NEUTRAL, not a sequel. And for good reason. This book doesn't pick up where STUCK IN NEUTRAL leaves off, although I would recommend show more reading that one first, if for no other reason than to learn the history of Shawn McDaniel and his family. CRUISE CONTROL is the story of Paul McDaniel, older brother to Shawn and sister Cindy, son of a prize-winning poet father who abandoned their family and a mother who works hard to take care of her children.

Paul is fully aware of the unfairness and inconsistencies in his life. He's the star of the basketball team--his brother is a veg, confined to his wheelchair and unable to control any of his movements, from blinking his eyelids to swallowing his food. Paul is always angry, even to the point of physically attacking virtual strangers--his brother is unable to show any emotion, at all from love to annoyance. He hates his father for leaving the family--and yet wonders what it would be like for him to be a bigger part of it. Paul's life is, for all accounts and purposes, messed up. As his sister, Cindy, puts it: "There's no way I'll ever believe that the problems a brother like Shawn brings to a family are 'gifts from God.'"

As Paul discovers that his father might not have left the family due to abandonment, as his feelings of rage turn to shame for a secret he's kept way too long, Paul realizes the truth that his mother has long known: "It's okay to love your brother."

CRUISE CONTROL is Paul's story, and it's just as heartfelt and genuine as Shawn's. I'm sorry to leave the McDaniel family behind, but at least it's with the feeling of love and respect, and not sorrow and shame. show less

As a companion to "Stuck in Neutral", this short novel looks at the life of Shawn's brother, Paul. He does not have the advantage the reader has -- he has no idea that his brother actually is of normal intelligence and knows exactly what is going on. Paul is not as interesting as Shawn, but it is a good read for fans of the first book. It doesn't stand alone well. Paul is a very talented athelete, who has a problem with violence and hatred of his father, who abandoned the family. He wants to leave town for college, and is talented enough for a sports scholorship, but he feels that he can't because his family needs him to help take care of his brother. One nice touch to the book, is that the two books can almost be read side by side. show more Little details the story are in both of the books. Shawn describes eating a potato chip in the first, and Paul describes sneaking him the same chip in the second book. Also, we get to see what happens while Shawn has his seizures in the first book show less

Paul is an all american kid; he plays sports; he loves basketball and he is a straight A student. But Paul has some anger issues both on and off the court. Paul's brother Shawn is severly disabled and Paul has taken on the role of Shawn's protector. This book; a follow up to "Stuck in Neutral" is the story of Paul dealing with his anger toward his father and his brother and who is is alone.

Paul has a brother who is severely disabled and that makes Paul angry. He blames his anger on his father, who left the family when his brother was two, and now makes a living writing about families dealing with disabled children. The book was a thought-provoking look at the emotionas young people are battling as they try to make sense of life and tragedy.

The reader is immediately engaged in this story by having the main character narrate the events. There is some use of profane language that reflects the realistic manner in which teens talk today. The story touches upon many topics teenagers may find relevant in their own lives: ability to forgive and be forgiven; coping with a family member with special needs; family dynamics including sibling relationships; anger/rage; sacrifice; and compassion. Overall, this story can be recommended to illustrate many powerful themes.

"Cruise Control" is a book about Paul, a boy who is full of anger and rage and has to deal with the repercussions of his dad leaving his family. Paul also has to deal with his brother, Shawn, who has cerebral palsy. Paul can't understand how he is suppose to love his brother when he can't show love and emotion, much less know what it is. As the story develops, Paul learns that it is okay to love his brother and how he needs to be there for him.

Not-very-compelling companion to Stuck in Neutral, from the brother's POV. Paul's voice isn't as powerful and we get no real character from him besides "anger issues," which isn't a trait, really.