Terry Trueman, continued

Terry Trueman describes his Printz honored young adult novel Stuck in Neutral as "the heartbreaking tale of a young boy, Shawn, who has cerebral palsy and who is profoundly developmentally disabled." Trueman describes the book as "a journey into a world where no one can truly go but the actual participants, both in Shawn's role and the role of his father". It is suspenseful and thought-provoking. 

Inside Out, Trueman's second novel was released in August 2003, followed by Cruise Control just over a year later in October of 2004. As the companion to Stuck in Neutral, Trueman tells a brother's side of the story in Cruise Control. Other fiction by Trueman includes No Right Turn and 7 Days at the Hot Corner. Whether Trueman's characters drive fast cars or play third base, there is no question that the stories about them are riveting, fast-paced and difficult for the young reader to put down. 

Certainly Trueman's books are captivating but his personal story is equally so. In 1979, Trueman's son, Sheehan, was born with cerebral palsy. Sheehan: Heartbreak and Redemption gives readers a glimpse into the real-life story that inspired Stuck in Neutral. Perhaps it is his personal tragedy and triumphs experienced which allow him to capture the young adult reader's imagination so well.