{{Short description|Book by Terry Trueman}} {{More citations needed|date=September 2009}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox book | name = Stuck in Neutral | image = Stuck in neutral cover.jpg | caption = | author = Terry Trueman | language = English | subject = | genre = | publisher = HarperTeen | pub_date = October 9, 2001 | pages = 114 | isbn = 978-0-06-447213-5 | oclc= 48164952 }}
'''''Stuck in Neutral''''' is a young adult novel by [[Terry Trueman]]. It focuses deeply on the subject of [[cerebral palsy]], [[Quality of life (healthcare)|quality of life]], and [[euthanasia]]. The main character is Shawn McDaniel, a fourteen-year-old who has cerebral palsy. The story, told from Shawn's perspective, also focuses on how his family copes with the condition. Shawn's mother, brother, sister, and father are all talked about in the book. Stuck in Neutral received recognition as an Honor Book for the [[Michael L. Printz Award]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|author=American Library Association|year=2010|title=Michael L. Printz Winners and Honor Books|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners.cfm|accessdate=2011-02-03|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208112010/http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners.cfm|archivedate=2011-02-08}}</ref>
Trueman wrote the novel because his own son has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.terrytrueman.com/about.htm |title=About Terry Trueman |access-date=2009-09-22 |archive-date=2009-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918145813/http://www.terrytrueman.com/about.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he wanted to educate young readers both about the condition and about showing [[Toleration|tolerance]] for those with severe disabilities.
==Plot summary==
The book follows Shawn McDaniel's first-person [[Narrative mode|point of view]]. He is a 14-year-old boy and has lived in Seattle his entire life. He has severe [[cerebral palsy]], a neurological disorder that affects motor control. In Shawn's case, his entire body is affected; he has absolutely no control over any of his bodily functions. Shawn's condition is a major part of the story, for it affects how everyone looks at him and their opinions on him.
In the first few chapters, Shawn McDaniel explains his condition to the reader. He includes what he feels to be positive sides of his condition, such as his perfect [[memory]]. Shawn remembers every experience, every sensation, and everything he's ever learned from school or television. Unfortunately due to his complete lack of motor control, Shawn is unable to talk or make contact with his family in any way; it is believed by those around him that Shawn's mind has no higher functional skills. A running theme throughout the book is Shawn's desire to be truly known by someone. Shawn introduces his family to the reader. His mother is his main caretaker and his father is a writer who has won a [[Pulitzer Prize]] for a poem about Shawn.
The main story is about euthanasia. Shawn feels that his father Sydney McDaniel is trying to kill him. Sydney constantly talks about euthanasia. In an interview during a [[Jerry Springer]]-style show Sydney interviews a man who killed his son with a similar condition, who reveals that he just wanted to end his son's pain. In the end, the reader is left to wonder if Sydney follows the other man's example, or allowed Shawn to continue his life. Shawn frequently expresses that he dislikes being talked down to as if he were a baby. He stresses throughout the novel that he is just as intelligent, or more intelligent, than others around him. We are also introduced to his school life in the middle of the novel.
"Either way, whatever he does, I'll be soaring."
==Reception==
''Stuck in Neutral'' caused some [[controversy]] at a school in [[Evansville, Wisconsin]], where the book was required reading. Parents felt the subject matter was too sad and violent. Trueman strongly defended his book and school officials in Wisconsin eventually agreed. Stuck in Neutral remains required reading for students.<ref>Forward; "Stuck in Neutral" {{ISBN|0-7362-3179-X}}</ref><ref>Letter to Author http://www.terrytrueman.com/about_E-mailsLetters.html</ref>
==Play==
In 2013 [[Allison Cameron Gray]] and [[Matt Corpenning]] adapted the novel into the play Stuck in Neutral. The show ran from May 10, 2013 - June 10, 2013 at the [[Secret Rose Theatre]] in North Hollywood, CA, Directed by David P. Johnson with positive reviews. The cast included [[Jonathan D. Black]] as Shawn McDaniel, [[Mary Carrig]] as Lindy McDaniel, [[Tommy Cramer]] as Paul McDaniel, [[Amy Greenspan]] as Cindy McDaniel, Swati Kapila & [[Breana Tomey]] as Ally, [[Leslie Thurston]] as Alice Ponds, [[David Michael Trevino]] as Cyd McDaniel and [[John Walcutt]] as Earl Detruax respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://themightyorbits.com/Stuck_in_Neutral/ |title=Stuck in Neutral - the Play |access-date=2013-06-17 |archive-date=2013-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528210130/http://www.themightyorbits.com/Stuck_in_Neutral/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nohoartsdistrict.com/index.php/theatres/theatre-reviews/item/1804-theatre-review-stuck-in-neutral|title=Theatre Review >> Stuck in Neutral - NoHo Arts District|first=Lorenzo|last=Marchessi|website=nohoartsdistrict.com|date=23 May 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tolucantimes.info/section/entertainment/just-a-regular-kid-stuck-in-neutral/ |title=Just a Regular Kid, Stuck in Neutral | the Tolucan Times |access-date=2013-06-17 |archive-date=2014-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701072429/http://tolucantimes.info/section/entertainment/just-a-regular-kid-stuck-in-neutral/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== <references/>
==External links== * [https://www.amazon.com/Stuck-Neutral-Terry-Trueman/dp/0064472132 ''Stuck in Neutral'' on Amazon] * [http://www.exampleessays.com/viewpaper/96090.html]
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[[Category:American young adult novels]] [[Category:American novels adapted into plays]] [[Category:Novels about diseases and disorders]] [[Category:Plays about disability]] [[Category:Euthanasia]] [[Category:2001 American novels]] [[Category:2001 English-language novels]] [[Category:Novels about cerebral palsy]]