Stuck in Neutral

The invention of Shawn is compelling, evoking one of our darkest fears and deepest hopes -- that a fully conscious and intelligent being may be hidden within such a broken body, as yet unable to declare his existence.The Horn BookInside Shawn's twitching, seizure-racked body is a sane, intelligent teenager with an eidetic memory. Shawn will stay with readers, not for what he does, but for what he is and has made of himself.Kirkus ReviewsReaders spend the whole book inside Shawn's head, a place that is so vivid, so unique they will be hard pressed to forget its mix of heaven and hell. Nor will they easily stop thinking about all the big issues Shawn raises -- not just about life and death, but also about the meaning of freedom, and about the responsibility that comes with love. An intense reading experience.Booklist

Shawn McDaniel is an enigma and a miracle--except no one knows it, least of all his father. His life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. Not even those who love him best have any idea what he is truly like. In this extraordinary and powerful first novel, the reader learns to look beyond the obvious and finds a character whose spirit is rich beyond imagining and whose story is unforgettable.

My life is like one of those "good news-bad news" jokes. Like, "I've got some good news and some bad news--which do you want first?" Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL), Books for Youth Editor's Choice 2000 (Booklist), Top 10 Youth First Novels 2000(Booklist), 2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), 2001 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers (ALA), and 2001 Michael L. Printz Honor Book