A beautiful novel filled with tragedy and love (not romantic, mind you) that will always have a place in my heart. ( )

"Petey" is divided into two halves.
Part 1 is mostly sad. The story begins in 1922, with Petey's birth. He has extreme cerebral palsy, and is misdiagnosed as an "idiot," incapable of thoughts or emotions. Eventually he is handed over to to an insane asylum to care for him. But Petey's mind is strong and his need for friendship is real and deep. But every time he grows attached to someone, it seems like something takes them away from him. He grows old, with this happening again and again.
In Part 2, it is 1990, and an 8th grade boy stumbles upon Petey, now residing in a nursing home, quite by accident. But Trevor soon becomes Petey's best friend, and interestingly, Petey is Trevor's best friend too. The boy makes more and more time to spend with the the elderly, handicapped man who can barely even talk. While Part 1 was mostly sad, Part 2 is mostly sweet and heartwarming. I cried both sad and happy tears reading this one. ( )

This tear-jerking story is about a boy nicknamed Petey who was born with Cerebral palsy. During the time that he was born, people did not take the time to learn about disabilities or even care about what they were. His parents sent him off to an asylum because they thought there was nothing they could do for him. The place he was sent to assumed that his brain did not function just because his legs and arm didn't. Petey was actually very bright and had his own thoughts an ideas. He made friends with people in the hospital and he soon started to realize that where they were was not where they belonged. Throughout this story Petey faces many challenges in trying to show who he really is and live the life he wants to live. The world already has it's beliefs about him. Can he prove them wrong? This story is a great read for middle school students because it brings awareness to people with disabilities. ( )

Committed to an insane asylum at the age of two, this incredible story spans over 60 years of how children with special needs are treated. Petey is finally diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, in a wonderful uplifting story . ( )

In 1922, a precious baby boy was born. But he was not perfect. His parents reluctantly surrendered him to an insane asylum, where he was diagnosed as an idiot. Petey, (real name Clyde Cothran), was born with Cerebral Palsy. CP, as you know, does not affect the brain. Petey was totally trapped in a body that could not communicate and he was written off as having no brain function at all.
The books spans 70 plus years and perception of handicapped individuals changed greatly over the years.

This is a must read as it will tear at every emotion in your body, yet leave you with a warm feeling for mankind. This is a true story and the book has won many accolades. Ben Mikaelsen is a wonderful writer you don’t want to miss. If you can get this in audio format it is even better than reading a hard copy as you hear the voices of the patients.

I read the book about 8 years ago and listened to it this year. ( )