Petey- Ben Mikaelsen
The first book I read by this author was Touching Spirit Bear, and as I continue to read more of his offerings, I am always impressed by the variety of his themes and the true readability of his story-line. Petey was no exception. It caught my interest immediately as it chronicles the life of a little boy with Cerebral Palsy who in that era was simply diagnosed as an idiot, and at a young age was put away in a mental institution. As he grows up in that foul environment, several people recognize the intelligence housed in a twisted body and provide some relief. As well, he becomes great friends with another boy who has “mild retardation.” Ultimately Petey is moved to a nursing home, more suited to his care, and is separated from his friend without any idea of where the other has been taken. Petey, although an amazingly positive person, decides he will no longer get involved emotionally with another person, and withdraws. Then Trevor comes into his life, a lonely school boy, who initially protects Petey from bullies and gradually comes to see him as the real person he is. The message is unmistakable and the ending very poignant. What an exceptional author!
Other books I read and loved are Tree Girl and Red Midnight.
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I found I appreciated Ben Mikaelsen’s books even more after having met him at Kaleidoscope. He truly lives the stories he writes and that seems to come across in his writing. Even my more reluctant readers get caught up in his stories. I am eager to see what he comes up with next.