flippingthepages's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to give a book like this a review. I was angry that the Dad felt the way he did about Shawn. Then taking into consideration about the reasoning behind the actions, I'm scared to say they do or don't make sense because I'm not in that situation. To love someone so much that you would be willing to sacrifice your life to end theirs? Your child's at that? I enjoyed being able to kind of see into Shawn's mind, since he can't verbally speak. This book will leave a lasting impression on me that's for sure. I'm glad that I picked it up. It gives readers a lot to think about and a lot to take into consideration on how we treat disabled, mentally and physically, humans.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
3.0
I did like this book because it is thought-provoking, but it is extremely disturbing also. The ethical issues are tough.
littlemisslibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
The story was wonderfully written and it had an ending where the reader could imagine how it would develop. At first, it was frustrating, but then it makes sense.
rachel13kukich's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
grifmk01's review against another edition
2.0
2.8/5
I think the heart is in the right place, but the writing leaves somethings to be desired. I could be biased, but maybe this is better suited for younger readers.
I think the heart is in the right place, but the writing leaves somethings to be desired. I could be biased, but maybe this is better suited for younger readers.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
This book was one of my favorite reads for the summer of 2008. Written from the point-of-view of a boy with cerebral palsy who is trapped inside his own body. No one knows he is clever, can learn, enjoys his life. It brings up lots of good /compelling questions about love, quality of life, education of profoundly impaired individuals, etc.
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
(Catching up on old reviews from pre-blogging and pre-Goodreads days. Written on 7/23/21 but the book was read years ago. I'm working off my notes.)
cheri_reads's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
i enjoyed this brief and beautiful story of shawn, a teenager with cerabral palsy. outwardly, he is unresponsive and unable to move, but inside he is smart, capable, and even happy. trueman, who based the book partially on his own son, points out that there is no way to ever know if such a situation is possible...but after reading this, i do like to think that it could happen.
lillianhong's review against another edition
5.0
After reading this, I'm defintely looking at people in a different perspective. Not just disabled people, normal people too. There is so much genius in the world, and some of it is going to waste because of lost chances or because they never had a chance at all. This book made me realize that. I wanted to make like Holden and stick everything in a musuem case (Reference to another book, sorry). Read this book if you ever looked at a disabled person and wondered what they're actually thinking.
mschlat's review against another edition
2.0
Not what I was expecting. I knew the major feature of the narrator (a teenage boy who appears to be mindless, but isn't --- just stuck inside), but I was expecting more plot and resolution. There's little of either, and the whole thing read more like a thought experiment than a story to me.