Life Happens Next
This sequel to Stuck in Neutral (2001) is short but packs a punch. Readers will certainly remember Shawn McDaniel, who is profoundly disabled. He is unable to speak or control his bodily functions, and he can&#x2019;t make anyone understand that despite appearances, he is something of a genius, aware of everything that goes on around him. Written in the same smart voice, the book allows readers to see life through Shawn&#x2019;s eyes, not only the frustrations but also the gratitude for what life has to offer him; for example, a mother who loves him and, yes, clean socks. Then the unexpected happens: a relative with Down syndrome, functioning at the level of a five-year-old, is taken in (along with her dog, Rusty) by Shawn&#x2019;s mother, and for the first time, Shawn feels like there are two souls who understand him. Shawn&#x2019;s grand mal seizures allow the book to take a mystical turn, which provides a satisfactory way of completing Shawn&#x2019;s story, especially for those who&#x2019;ve long waited to learn what happened next. Grades 8-12. --Ilene Cooper