Product Description

How sick is this: I′m the major jock-stud in high school, but my brother has the brain of a badminton birdie and a body to match. I′ve got everything and he′s got nothing. I′m a three-year, three-sport letterman and Shawn can′t even stand up! Like I said, sick, huh?

Customer Reviews (17)

Stuck in Nuetral : Part Two
This book is not a sequel to Trueman's masterpiece, but it does offer another viewpoint of the tragic Shawn McDaniel. The ending is very trite,but it will please those who loved Stuck in Nuetral and other Trueman books.

Awsome Book
this book was exilent.Im on my mom's name but i read this book last year when i was in 6 grade and i loved it.
Infact i loved it so much i read it 5 more time's.
I started to read "Inside-out," but i didn't like it.It didn't interest me inuf to read all of it.But if u r looking into this book.READ IT PLEAE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You will love it.Promise me.
Just from this review im going to read it again.

A Gripping Follow-Up To Terry Trueman's "Stuck In Neutral"
I was a bit iffy about reading "Cruise Control" at first. This is because it was the same concept as "Stuck In Neutral," but this one being from the perspective of Shawn McDaniel's older brother Paul. I don't know why I was iffy, but my insecurity was groundless.

"Cruise Control" was very sad. There were two parts that really got to me, and that's when Paul first feels a true affection for Shawn, and the second being the truth about what happened when those two bullies were burning Shawn on the porch. The latter parts, especially the last of the two, still are grabbing at my heart. They are just so sad!

This one made me cry more than the first one. It was very, very touching. It was also very cool to see a book from two different perspectives, especially from a character who, in the first book, we didn't see many aspects of affection towards Shawn, so it was very good.

This one wasn't as much in mini vignettes as "Stuck In Neutral," but it was still a very touching, gripping tale of love and affection. If you loved "Stuck In Neutral," then you'll love "Cruise Control." It's another must-read!

A Truthful Book
The thing I liked most about this book is that it gets the first person male narration of a senior in high school pretty spot on.Paul is a highly successful athlete and scholar in his last year in high school, but is constantly brimming with a pressure-cooker full of rage.He's angry at his father, at people who try to get too close to him, and at the unfairness of life.Most of all, though, he's angry at himself and his confused feelings he feels towards his fourteen-year-old brother who is a "veg", as Paul describes him.

Many boys will enjoy this book because of the tone of the narration, but also because of the sports story and buzzer-beater ending.While there are some occasional 4-letter words (hello? as I said, he IS a senior in high school), I will recommend this probably to some select kids in my middle school classroom.

a good book
This is a good book. It is abut a kid that has Cerebral Palsy and he can't control anything he does. He thinks his dad is out to kill his little brother, Shawn. Paul is in the 11th grade and is the starting quarter back for the high school. He is like the main jock of the school. He is very good at basketball, too. During practice he made a quarter-court shot and they didn't have to run ball breakers, which are sprints up and down the gym.Overall this was a good book and I recommend it to you. You will know how it is to have a little brother with Cerebral Palsy after you read this book.


















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Product Description

outside, the wind is howling.
it is a monster shrieking to get inside.
outside, the rain is a solid wall of water.
everything is dark.
everything is destroyed.
everything is gone....

Customer Reviews (6)

Very authentic characters and a gripping story
Every once in a while, I pick up a lighter book for younger readers.I do this for two reasons, first because that's just what I'm in the mood for, and second, because I am always looking out for books to recommend to my kids.This book satesfied both reasons.

I won't bother giving a synopsis of the plot, as many others have done that better than I could.But what I liked most about this book was it's authenticity.I lived in Guatemala for a year, and this book captured the culture of life in a small Latin American village perfectly.Reading this story brought back fond memories.

I also liked the fact that the book didn't pull any punches when it came to the sheer horror of this type of event.

Over all, I highly recommend this book to any reader age 10+.

Teacher Approved
I purchased this book to use with my Reading class and read it when it arrived. It should fit the bill. It is both reader friendly and should keep the attention of my class.

A powerful can't-put-it-down story
Jose is a very believable boy, forced to see things he'd rather not see, to cope with a situation adults would shrink from--because there is no one else to turn to and others are depending on him.A harrowing story--made all the more gripping by the fact that, while the characters are fictional, the background is real.Terry Trueman does an incredible job of making us feel we are right there.

A terrifying story based on a real disaster
Thirteen-year-old Jose Cruz has been in La Rupa, Honduras his entire life. The tiny village of 56 people holds everything and everyone familiar to him. He lives in a comfortable house with his mom and dad; older brother and sister Victor and Ruby; younger siblings Juan, Maria and Angela; and beloved dog Berti. He goes to the International School, where he learns in both English and Spanish, and in his free time enjoys playing soccer with his friends. He also always keeps an eye out to catch sight of the colorful parrots that live in the trees on top of the hillside above the village. But in 1998, a category five hurricane hits Honduras and changes everything.

Hurricane Mitch strikes land in a fury of rain and wind. Jose has never experienced anything so scary in his life. To make matters worse, his father and older brother and sister are out of town making deliveries, and his faithful dog is missing. Jose knows he must stay brave and strong to help his mother take care of the younger kids. He tries to think what his father and admired older siblings would do, and has to dig deep for courage because the situation grows even worse.

The torrential downpour of rain causes a mudslide and buries half of La Rupa in seconds. Many of the villagers are killed, and the survivors are left with the heavy burden of worry and sorrow, and without shelter, food or fresh water. Jose doesn't know what happened to his dad, older siblings, or even his dog. He prays that they are safe and will return soon, but fears the worst. Knowing that if they were home they would be working hard to help the village, Jose pitches in where he can. He helps to dig for survivors, and then the dead; shares his house with the homeless; searches for food and water; and offers to go for a doctor when his little brother gets sick. He tries to be brave, but inside he's terrified. Will Honduras ever be the same? Will his family ever heal?

Terry Trueman is no novice writer, and his talents prove themselves in this terrifyingly realistic story based on the true disaster of Hurricane Mitch. Jose and his family are fictional, but the nightmares they and their neighbors endure are very similar to the real ones the Honduran people experienced in 1998. With Trueman's moving story and admirable characters, readers will be able to sympathize with and feel for these individuals. They may even learn from Jose how to dig for strength to face their own potential scary situations in life.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman, author of FINDING MY LIGHT and THE BLACK POND

Book
Well I have to say this was a pretty good book. I actually cried some. But,thats just me, Still I highly recomend this book. ... Read more

Product Description

Shawn McDaniel is an enigma and a miracle--except no one knows it, least of all his father. His life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. Not even those who love him best have any idea what he is truly like. In this extraordinary and powerful first novel, the reader learns to look beyond the obvious and finds a character whose spirit is rich beyond imagining and whose story is unforgettable.

My life is like one of those "good news-bad news" jokes. Like, "I've got some good news and some bad news--which do you want first?"

I could go on about my good news for hours, but you probably want to hear the punch line, my bad news, right? Well, there isn't that much, really, but what's here is pretty wild. First off, my parents got divorced ten years ago because of me. My being born changed everything for all of us, in every way. My dad didn't divorce my mom, or my sister, Cindy, or my brother, Paul--he divorced me. He couldn't handle my condition, so he had to leave. My condition? Well, that brings us to the guts of my bad news.

Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL), Books for Youth Editor's Choice 2000 (Booklist), Top 10 Youth First Novels 2000(Booklist), 2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), 2001 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers (ALA), and 2001 Michael L. Printz Honor Book

Stuck in Neutral is a truly unique journey into the mind of a truly unique character. Shawn McDaniel, who is literally trapped in his own body, will serve as a powerful metaphor for teens who feel cornered by circumstances or their own physical shortcomings. Terry Trueman's first-person portrayal of Shawn is made all the more poignant by the fact that Trueman's own son, Henry, also suffers from cerebral palsy. This is an original and moving debut. (Ages 11 to 15) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (203)

Stuck In netral
When I first started reading this book, I was not quite sure if it was going to be too good because it was so short. However as I read, the book started getting deeper, and it also made you think really hard about the simple things in life that we take for granted. The main character in this book would be Shawn. He has a special condition called severe cerebral palsy and he cannot function properly. He has no control of his muscles whatsoever. This makes everyday tasks a challenge for him, and he always needs someone to help him with everything. However, he is a genius on the inside. He can perfectly remember anything he has seen from ages ago and has a perfectly fine mind. This is what gets you thinking about how fortunate and lucky we are. There is also his mom who cares about him a lot. She is the one who always has to take care of him. Shawn also has a brother and a sister. His sister is sweet and kind, but his brother his over protective of him and is short tempered. His dad is a complicated person. He loves Shawn a lot, and has written a poem about him which is constantly repeated throughout the book. The one main conflict in the book would be that Shawn's dad might be planning to kill him. He wants to end Shawn's pain, because he has a lot of seizures and his dad thinks he is enduring a lot of pain, but no one knows that he enjoys having these seizures. The story takes place in many different places, but it is mainly in his house.I thought this book was very deep and emotional. The book had many good qualities about it, but one bad quality would be that it is too short. Some of the good qualities would include very good, deep characters. Another good quality would be the mood of the book. The mood doesn't change throughout the book, but the lugubrious feeling the book gives off is very excellent. I would recommend this book for anyone older than 13. This is a very short read so young people would enjoy reading it. It is a good book for all ages because it really does make you think what life would be like with the same syndrome as Shawn. Even people who don't enjoy reading might get into this book because it is only 150 pages, and it has a lot of exciting moments starting from page one. I would rate this five out of five stars.

Sad story
This is a short book written from the point of view of a teenage boy who has severe CP, and can't communicate otherwise. He is actually very smart, and very appreciative of his life.

He discovers that his dad wants to kill him to "put him out of his misery".The sad part of this is that the boy comes to accept this.

It is certainly a different way of looking at severely disabled people.What if they really can perceive everything around them? And think about it?

It is written by a man whose own son has CP.

If you read this book, expect to have your thoughts provoked, but it is not an action novel. Or a mystery.

"I am in here, I'm just sort of stuck in neutral."
Fourteen-year-old Shawn McDaniel isn't your ordinary kid. His affliction, cerebral palsy, denies him any control over his muscles, but unbeknownst to all who know him, he (p 10) remembers "everything" and is, in fact, "pretty smart." Typical of teenagers, he's interested in the opposite sex but feels differently about his seizures than one might think. Due to his father's interest in a man who mercy-killed his young, suffering son, Shawn believes his dad has designs on him to do the same. In Stuck in Neutral, the boy narrates the story of his surroundings. Even beyond the overall idea, parts of the plot go over the top at times, including an entire incident involving bullying boys and another's overreaction to their bad behavior. Especially after reading About the Author, one can't help but wonder what goes on inside the minds of those whose mental capacities and conditions are beyond our comprehension. Stuck in Neutral is a short, thought-provoking story. Also good: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys and A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar.

Good Product....Slow Shipping
Product was as described in excellent condition.However, I paid for the premium expedited shipping and received it 9 days later.Longer than it would have taken regular mail from previous experience.Skip any shipping upgrades here.Otherwise okay.

STUCK IN NEUTRAL poses a "what-if" that will stay with me.
"If my dad walked into my room right now and killed me, no one would ever know what I was really like. I want to love someone, and feel loved in return, for my real self. What if someone loved me enough to somehow break through and discover that I'm inside this body?"
***
STUCK IN NEUTRAL is a book that will stay with me. I will never look at the Life Skills kids in my school the same. Terry Trueman's story pulled me into Shawn's world-- and ultimately opened my mind about people that I am just as guilty of ignoring as Shawn's family is. What an amazing, amazing, powerful read. Should be required reading in high school. ... Read more

Product Description

In a busy coffee shop, a robbery goes wrong. Two gunmen hold seven hostages, including teenager Zach Wahhsted. What nobody realizes at first is that Zach is anything but ordinary and his troubled mind is more dangerous than any weapon. Terry Trueman has created a compelling character with the same shocking power and heartbreaking compassion as his Printz Honor Award debut novel, Stuck in Neutral.

Customer Reviews (28)

very interesting..
To me, the book started out very weird and confusing. However, the more i read, the more it grabbed me. Inside Out is about two brothers who decided to rob a coffee shop while Zach, a boy suffering from schizophrenia, is one of the hostages held in the coffee shop. Two brothers tried robbing the coffee shop but had to take the people in the shop as hostages after the police surrounded them. Because of Zach's disorder, he is the only hostage that isn't afraid of the two robbers. Zach also has to take certain pills from time to time and if he fails to do so, he would start hearing voices and see things that weren't real. Not having his pills throughout the robbery makes the story interesting. The reason for the two brothers to rob the coffee shop turns out to be that they were simply trying to get fast money to pay for their mother's cancer treatment. I feel that the book's summary on the back of it makes the book sound like it will be an action packed book, hence why i chose this book to read. Although there is some action and suspense in the book, it's mostly a book that focuses on the non-violent side of a hostage situation with teenagers who dont know what they're doing. I don't want to ruin the ending for anybody, but Zach plays an important role on how the hostage situation ends. The book wasn't what i thought it would be, but then again it wasn't bad at all. I recommend reading it.

Insightful and compassionate
I was already a fan of author Terry Trueman, based on STUCK IN NEUTRAL.
INSIDE OUT did not disappoint. Much like STUCK IN NEUTRAL illuminated the possibility of what goes on inside a profoundly disabled person's mind and heart, INSIDE OUT provides insight into the mind of a schizophrenic teenage boy. Highly recommended, and, as others have said, a quick read. Definitely one for reluctant readers.

Great troubled teen story
Inside Out is a favorite with my adolescent boy students who have reading difficulties. The chapters are short and action packed and students have trouble putting it down. The mentally ill main character is very likable. A must for all teachers looking for an easier read for boys.

Very Good Book
Inside Outis a book about a young boy named Zach Wahhsted. He has a diesies called Schizophrenia. Which he hears voices that talk to him and say these weird things in his mind. He has to take pills everyday. It helps him not have the voices during the day. He meets his mom at the Coffee shop everyday to take his pills.
One day though Zach was waiting for his mom to come give him the pills at the Coffee Shop. Then all of a sudden Two boys with guns came running. They were robbing the coffee shop. People were yelling and screaming all around. Everyone except Zach he was calm. He wasn't freaking out or any of that stuff he was just sitting there watching and waiting for them to leave. He was calm because he said he lived a crazy life so it was nothing new for him at all.
The boys were yelling at the cashier for her to put all the coffee shops money in the bag. Then they herd sirens going off outside. The cops were coming. So the boys took the people and Zach to the back room and held them hostage. As the problem and the day goes on Zach hasn't taking his pills so its getting worse for him to get out of this big mess!

Author Terry Trueman was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He went to the University of Washington. He got his B.A. in creative Writing and a M.S. in applied psychology. He has written many famous books such as : Inside out, Cruise Control, Stuck in Neutral and Swallowing the Sun.

I liked the book it was very interesting. It was a good detailed book. It was kind of confusing in the beginning but after a while it was pretty easy to understand. It was also very creative I've never read a book like this one very good book. I really recommend it to people.

Trueman Has Done It Again!!
I was very excited to read "Inside Out" based on Terry Trueman's two other books. I very much enjoyed this one as much as the other two, "Cruise Control" and "Stuck In Neutral."

"Inside Out" is the tale of two teenagers, Alan (Frosty) and Joey (Stormy) who attempt to rob the coffee shop where Zach, a sixteen-year-old scizhophrenic is waiting for his mom. The two robbers, who have robbed the store to help their cancerous mother who has very pricey medication, find themselves in trouble when the police arrive before they can escape.

The characters were very well developed, even those who had a miniscule three to four lines, such as the fat suit, a heavier man of the nine hostages. I also enjoyed the dialogue. Silly as some of the things said might have been, it was very enjoyable.

I especially liked the part where Zach, out of his own control, almost accidentally blurts out something to his doctor, who was called to the scene of the hostage situation by Zach, with the policemen possibly able to hear. It was very suspenseful.

Also, when Zach and the robbers are about to make their escape, and the two characters, Dirtbag and Rat are haunting Zach, the description Terry Trueman gives is very eerie and disturbing. Afterwards, it's very, very suspenseful.

"Inside Out" is a very quick read (I finished it today, started it today), but it is a very riveting and very suspensefully humurous tale. It is a definite must-read for those of you who enjoyed Terry Trueman's first books. ... Read more

Product Description

I heard the gunshot and I knew what had happened. Even before I made it downstairs to Dad's office, I knew what he'd done.

Customer Reviews (6)

Trauma, Trust, and Love
Jordan has the sob-story of an especially troubled teen: at thirteen he found his father after he had shot himself. Now three years later, at sixteen, he's managed to lose the majority of whatever friends or interests he had; his life has become somewhat meaningless. He is void of emotion and is indifferent to everything around him. But this changes when a neighbor with a smooth, show Corvette begins going out with his mom. Before Jordan knows it, he's beginning to seek thrills in illegal ways. With the consequences of this, he discovers that looking at the past is the only way to clear a path for the future. He also realizes that no, life isn't fair, but people do love, care, and try to do their best for one another.
It's an okay read that emphasizes the impact that trauma can play in a young person's life, and the importance of trust and love.

no right turn is a great book
This book was one of the best books I have ever read.Jordan starts out as a very depressed kid.His dad committed suicide and he thought it was his entire fault.The setting of the book is mainly his school and neighborhood.Also a few specific roads in the town.It takes place in present time.Then, a few years later, his mom meets this guy...Don Luger.And he just happens to own a 76' corvette stingray.Jordan was never a fan of cars, but as soon as Don takes him for a ride and goes 110 mph he realizes that he needs to feel that rush again.He says that it is the first time everything felt like it was going to be okay after his dad dies.So when Don goes out of town, he steals the car.He loves it and he starts doing it more and more.And this one time he meets this girl, Becka Thorson, who is drawn in by the car.They start going out.And it's off and on relationship.

Jordan eventually gets caught stealing the car.This book has a somewhat abrupt ending.Now that doesn't mean it's a bad ending.I love the ending.It makes you think a little. I recommend this book to people who like cars, well actually anybody who likes a book that you can't put down.I recommend this book to these people because it's just a great book that you wont regret reading and it's defiantly worth owning.Terry Trueman is a great author.This book has drama, action, and even some adventure.It's a must read.I give No Right Turn five stars.Thank you for reading my review on No Right Turn by Terry Trueman.

No Right Turn
It isn't that our children can not read, but that until an author writes a book that CAN'T BE PUT DOWN, they don't know that they love to read. Terry Trueman is one of the best authors I have to offer these students.Mr.Trueman gives us an opportunity to know what it might be like to have or to love someone who has a disability.His book, Inside Out is incredable.No Right Turn is just another outstanding example.THANK YOU TERRY TRUEMAN.

Why does he write these books?
Terry Trueman is a friend of mine. I read No Right Turn in its infancy.Jordan and his angst are real and right on.The twists and turns are all authentic. This book is Terry Trueman.Look at his penchant for fast automobiles and anyone could picture his own '76 Corvette roaring around Spokane, his home town.

Terry was Jordan, a very long time ago.But Terry's fertile mind is in a place where Jordan has developed and Jordan's quandry is now able to find voice, dealing with fears and desires of all young tees.

Terry is a wonderful pervayor of teen angst. He has lived it for quite awhile. Once again, Terry has touched the teen soul, and in doing so, has touched his own. We all know Jordan and root for his deliverance.

Brave novel, brilliant mind, dashed with reality.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Terry Trueman's books, so I won't waste time praising his virtues.Although come to think of it, he might appreciate that.Still, the story of sixteen-year old Jordan, the main character of NO RIGHT TURN, should hopefully be praise enough.

Suicide is never pretty.But when you're a teen, and the last thing your father says to you before he shoots himself is "it's all such bull***t," suicide becomes something bigger than a simple death.It's the thing you think about all the time, and yet never talk about.You wonder, almost constantly, why your father would apologize, then take himself out of your life forever.You wonder which part of life was bull***t--the fact that he was married to your mother?; that he had you as a son?; that his life was boring and predictable with a job and bills and a family to weigh him down?

Several years later, Jordan still doesn't have any answers.All he knows is that his dad is dead, and by his own hand, and that there's no joy in his life.Actually, Jordan doesn't have much of a life at all.All of that changes, though, when his mom starts dating Don Lugar, a guy who owns something that Jordan suddenly can't live without--a 1976 Corvette, a Stingray with a custom paint job, tinted windows, big tires, and a cool canister of nitrous that will really make that baby go.

The first time he goes for a ride in the 'Vette with Don, Jordan realizes that going 110 mph in that car is the first time in a very long while that he can remember feeling alive.The first time, in fact, that he doesn't feel like a walking zombie.So Jordan comes up with the brilliant idea of taking the 'Vette for a drive--by himself--one Wednesday night when Don is out of town.Just one time, one drive by himself, is all he needs to recapture that feeling of being part of the world.

But one time isn't enough, of course, and it doesn't help matters when he meets cheerleader Becka Thorson, one of the most popular girls in school, during one of his clandestine drives.Now the girl of his dreams thinks he's some cool guy with a custom 'Vette, and Jordan's desperate to keep up the image he's created.Once wasn't enough with the car, and he doesn't know what will have to happen to come clean to Becka--and to Don and his mother.

NO RIGHT TURN is another winer from Terry Trueman.Heartfelt, emotional, and full of true-to-life characters, this is a story for anyone who has ever felt like their world has been turned upside down--and for those who don't know how to put it back right-side-up.Definitely a recommended read.
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Product Description

In baseball, fielding your position at third base is tricky—that's why third is called "the hot corner." You have to be aware that anything can happen at any time.

Customer Reviews (5)

Terry Truman's Terrific Tomes
Trueman's 7 Days at the Hot Corner is not as engaging as his masterpiece, Stuck in Nuetral, but will satisify those who enjoy his style and controversial issues that young adults deal with these days.

Homophobia And The AIDs Scare
This follows a high school jock, Scott, who is obsessed with himself and baseball. Life is going fine until he finds out his best friend is gay; the same best friend that has just moved in with him after being kicked out of his own house. Scott doesn't know what to do or how to handle it. He's so homophobic that he wants to be tested for AIDs after touching some of his friend's blood. Much of the town is semi-homophobic, but there are a lot more homosexuals there than most people know. Scott soon finds this out, along with some things about himself. He also finally gets closure on his parents' divorce.
It's alright, nothing new or obviously original. Lots of baseball references. Nothing more than an 'okay' read. This author can do much better.

Please beware
While this may be a great book, I have not read it in it's entirety, please beware of purchasing this book for anyone younger than high school.
It says, 6th grade and up, or age 12 and up but the material may be more suitable for a high school student rather than elementary!
My son, who is in 4th grade, is an active reader and can read beyond his grade level. My mother bought him this book along with many other books and did not realize how mature this book was. Personally, I don't think 4th graders, or anyone under a high school grade, should be reading a book that deals with homosexuality, AIDS, safe sex and so on. My son is 9.

I believe in fredom of speech and I'm glad that there are novels that deal with those issues. My only wish would be that the author would havegeared it toward a more mature audience.

Obviously, I need to CLOSELY examine the books my son is given to read before I allow him to do so.

Outstanding read for gay or straight teens.
7 DAYS AT THE HOT CORNER
by Terry Trueman
(Harper Tempest, February 2007, $15.99 Hardcover)

Scott Latimer lives for baseball.The high school senior plays third base (known in baseball jargon as the "hot corner") for his undefeated school team, and has dreams of playing professionally after he graduates. His best friend, since age seven, is Travis Adams, who helped comfort him when his parents got a divorce.

Scott's life seems to be placed on hold, when Travis moves in with Scott and his dad, following his being thrown out of his home because he is gay.It's rather unsettling news to Scott as well, since he always assumed Travis was straight and had never been told otherwise. He also remembers an incident in which Travis bled badly after a batting-cage accident, and Scott now wonders if Travis may have had unsafe sex and passed HIV on to him.He withdraws emotionally and physically from his friend, and decides to get tested, then goes through an agonizing seven days waiting for the test results.Travis decides to "come out" in an anonymous interview in the school paper, and Scott is also worried that his friends will figure out it is Travis, and perhaps assume that Scott is gay as well (which even Travis' mom assumed, since they were so close.)

An excellent, non-stereotypical and realistic story, especially recommended for teen readers.A bit short (runs 160 pages, but printed in relatively big type on small pages, which likely stretched it by 50% over what it would be in "normal" formats), but well-written and covers all of the bases (pun intended).Excellent selection for a gay teen to give as a gift to a straight buddy who may have problems dealing with his coming-out, and also debunks some common (even this long into the epidemic) myths about how the AIDS virus is transmitted.A definite "home run" (Last one, I promise! :) and I give it five stars out of five.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
"The hot corner." In baseball, it's third base. So named because of the fact that you always have to be ready for anything, and no one knows it better than eighteen-year-old Scott Latimer.

Scott is the starting third baseman on Thompson High School's varsity baseball team. The Spokane All-City High School Tournament is coming up in a matter of days, so of course Scott is worried about how he'll handle himself on "the hot corner."

The only problem is that, as life has a way of doing, things in his personal life are a little messed up at the moment. His best friend, Travis, was recently kicked out of his house by his parents and has been staying with Scott and his dad. And that was fine, until Travis handed him a copy of the school newspaper, which contained an article entitled "Coming Out."

Now "the hot corner" isn't just on the baseball field, but everywhere Scott looks. He doesn't know what to do about his friendship with Travis. He especially doesn't know how to handle some of the things Travis has said to him, such as the fact that Scott has issues with being the son of divorced parents. During these next seven days, it's up to Scott to figure out how to make things right again -- both on the field and off of it.

Again, author Terry Trueman has taken a well-drawn character and put him into a realistic situation. This is another great read from one of my favorite authors, and I can guarantee you won't go wrong by picking up a copy.

Reviewed by:Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Heart Grabber
I was checking out a critique I did for America the Babylon on Amazonrecently and thought I would also see what kinds of books Terry has written lately. I was pleasantly surprised to find his poem Sheehanon Amazon'sbook list. I have not only read Sheehanseveral times but I also tookevery one of Terry's English classes at the community college where heteaches and have heard him read Sheehanseveral times. My copy wasdestroyed in a fire so I'm having to do this critique frommemory.

Terry's guidelines for a good story/poem in his English classeswere as follows: Show your spirit, your heart, and your brain; dig to thedepths of your soul until it hurts but get your feeling down on paper;force the reader to experience what you've been through; help them to hearwhat you heard and see what you saw; and to experience your senses. It'syour story, write it the way you feel--as if you're never going to show itto anyone else--you can always take it out later. And last but notleast--truth is better than facts. Terry's poem Sheehanencompasses all ofthe above because this author practices what he preaches.

The thing Iliked most about this poem is the immense love that this person in the poemhas for Sheehan, his son, and how he dealt with an enormous heartbreak thatsplintered his hopes and dreams for this child. This poem relays thestruggle it took for him to finally come to grips with the facts, acceptwhat is, and move forward with his life. It shows how one man weathered anenormous trial through being honest with himself, admitting his fears, andconquering a desire for revenge on others as well as himself. I think it isthis person's vulnerability and honesty that grabs you by the heart anddraws you into the story. You cannot NOT have strong empathy for the personin this poem, because this story relays the struggles a lot of us canrelate to.

The strong visual imagery of this poem is enhanced by theartwork which adequately portrays what your heart will be feeling as youread this book--if it were possible to draw feelings. If you can read thispoem without your heart jumping in a thousand different directions thenyou're a prime target for a heart transplant. I recommend you buy thebooklet and then go to Spokane and listen to Terry read the poem in person.I give it a 4.0And no, he didn't pay me to write this critique--I haven'ttalked to him for about 5 years.(E)LE ... Read more

Product Description
Shawn has cerebral palsy: highly intelligent, he has no control whatsoever over his body or its functions. His eyes wander or settle without control. His mouth, tongue, swallowing muscles all have a life of their own. No act of will by Shawn can affect anything he does or anything that happens to him. Yet Shawn's mental life is full of dreams and hopes and love and appreciation of all that is around him - music he happens to hear, things and people that happen to cross his line of vision. Then Shawn begins to fear that his father - from despair at Shawn's condition and believing that Shawn has no life, and never can have, is no more than a vegetable, and never will be - is planning the unthinkable - to put him out of his misery - to kill him... ... Read more

Product Description
Cerebral palsy prevents 14-year-old Shawn McDaniel from having any muscle control whatsoever, so he sits in his wheelchair all day long and thinks. He does have a talent, however--he remembers everything he hears. If only he could find a way to let people know that there is a person inside his immobile shell--that he's not a brain dead vegetable--before it's too late. Shawn is convinced that his father wants to kill him ... and in a way, he understands. A man fearful of his son's seizures and inability to communicate, Sydney E. McDaniel can't help thinking he should end Shawn's suffering and the misery of the family. Raising a son with cerebral palsy has given Terry Trueman the personal experience needed to write this insightful novel. Ingeniously written in first-person, Trueman gives the character the ability to express his thoughts and feelings. ... Read more

Product Description
The Thin Line is about friendship and loyalty. It was written by e-book novelist Bill Egger, with an introduction by award-winning author Terry Trueman. The story begins with a young man named Jimmy, driving down a highway with a couple of his friends. They're on their way to pick up a buddy of theirs who's been in a correctional center for the last few years.
Along the way, Jimmy begins to recall the first day he met these friends and the unfortunate events that eventually landed one of them in a correctional center. The story begins when these friends are twelve years old and just getting to know one another. By the end of the story, they have bonded so tightly that not even a horrible tragedy can pull them apart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A delightful story
It is rare that you find a story about kids where the characters act like kids, talk like kids, and respond like kids.Bill Egger has written such a story.The Thin Line tells the story of 4 boys and their adventures together in a way that is endearing without being cloying, honest without being mean, and touching without being maudlin.A delightful read!

A refreshing youthful story with humor and suspense
I just finished reading Bill Egger's book, The Thin Line.I enjoyed the story as well as his descriptions of the personalities of the characters and the way he brought them to life.I'm glad I found his book and read it. I was pleasantly entertained by each chapter.Egger is very clever with his play with words.I especially enjoyed chapter nine.I look forward to reading more of Bill Egger's work.

THE THIN LINE
I found Indie Author Bill Egger's new e-book THE THIN LINE at Amazon.com and downloaded it onto my Kindle. The story has elements of humor, sadness, suspense and tragedy. The scenes are real descriptive and it was an easy and fun read.

Bill Egger's The Thin Line is a great story
Bill Egger's The Thin Line is a great story. I look forward to reading his next book.

Alan

The Thin Line: A very intriguing and fun book.
Have you ever been transported to a time or place through your imagination? This is where Bill Egger's book, The Thin Line, takes your mind. The main character, Jimmy, is fun and interesting to get to know. This book gives the reader a chance to view the world from the mind of an adolescent and the events that shape his world. Growing up can be hard to do, but this book gave me a glimmer into a particular character's world and I was able to identify with some of the awkward feelings of maturation. I believe both young and old will enjoy and gain insight from this delighful book. The only negative thought I have about this book is that I wish it were longer. It was such a page-turner I was sad to see it end. I will definitely recommend this book to my family and friends. This is not one of those books you read and put on the shelf. This is a book that you file away in your mind and reflect often and fondly upon. I was able to relate to Jimmy, his adventures, and even his friends. I look forward to reading more from Bill Egger, a unique and entertaining writer from this era. ... Read more

Product Description
In the tradition of Sports Shorts (2005), Darby Creek has another serving of sports-related short stories. Purely fiction, these stories tell the tales of athletes in a variety of sports, including track, football, martial arts, Ping Pong, and dirt bike riding. The characters face obstacles to overcome such things as being overweight, being over-confident, and being impatient. Reluctant readers will enjoy these short pieces, each with a memorable character and a relatable problem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A really good story
My eleven-year-old son loved this book, especially Max Anderson's "Big Foot." In his words, "Big Foot in Lay Ups and Long Shots was a great story. Even though Jeff couldn't run, he could sure kick! It was a really good story."

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker
We have all heard the old saying, "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." Darby Creek Publishing says, "It's whether
you get out there and play the game!"In this sequel to Sport Shorts, nine contemporary authors provide short stories that depict the problems and difficulties all athletes must conquer in order to be successful in their sports.Joseph Bruchac and Terry Trueman both investigate basketball and perseverance. Lynea Bowdish tells about a girl who cannot climb a rope in gym class but finds out what she can do.David Lubar explores how one boy trained to be the next table tennis champion.CS Perryess looks at a BMX rider who isn't really sure that dirt-bike racing is a girl's sport.Dorian Cirrone discusses how a surfer overcame his boundaries and enjoyed the ride.Jamie McEwan talks about a boy's embarrassing incident during whitewater rafting.Max Eliot Anderson focuses on the new kid in school with an unusual ability who goes out for the football team.And Peggy Duffy describes one girl's challenges when she is caught between her traditional Korean upbringing and her American love of soccer.
Any child who engages in sports should really like these stories.However, as they demonstrate (or seek to promote) good attitudes on the
part of both those who play and those who watch, they can be beneficial for athletes and benchwarmers alike. Indeed, they will inspire and
encourage all young people to let that athlete within have a try. Aimed primarily at middle-school-aged students, each of the stories has an
special plot twist or surprise that will make them interesting reading for people of every age. The book is a Junior Library Guild Selection and certainly deserves the honor. Never much of a sports person myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it my hearty endorsement.
... Read more

Product Description
Word count: 3122. ... Read more

Product Description
School is great—lots of friends, fun sports, and interestingclasses. But then there are the days that are horrible: arguingwith your best friend, being laughed at in front of your class,meeting up with the school bully, failing a test you really studiedfor. We’ve all been there, including these authors. In thishilarious and diverse collection of short stories, ten well-knownwriters, including Avi, Angela Johnson, David Lubar, JamesProimos, and Susan Shreve, tell of those funny and memorablemiddle school moments. And after reading these comical tales,kids will soon see that they’re not alone. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tripping with Honors!
Tripping Over the Lunch Lady has received the following honors:
Read Aloud America Recommended List 2006
Pennsylvania School Librarians "Top Forty" List 2005
IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book 2005 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
I'll admit, right off, that I'm a very opinionated person. I believe that's why I love books that have endings that leave it open to personal intrepretation--I can use my own belief system, my own views on the rights and wrongs of a situation, to concoct my own ending. Whether it be a happily-ever-after or a tear-jerker, whatever ending you prescribe to STUCK IN NEUTRAL will, no doubt, leave you pondering the book for days.

That being said, Terry Trueman is the kind of author I love to hate. I love the way he writes, the kinds of stories he tells, the way that, with only a few well-placed words, he can make his characters come to life. I hate it for all of the above, in that I can't do what he does! Oh, to have the ability to influence someone so deeply that all they can do after reading your words is, for days afterwards, think about what you've read. It's an awesome talent, and nothing showcases Mr. Trueman's true gift of storytelling better than the life history of Shawn McDaniel, the boy at the center of STUCK IN NEUTRAL.

Shawn is what many people, "normal" people, would call a retard, a vegetable, a shell of a boy with no one home inside. In a way, they'd be right, but in all the ways that matter, they would be horribly, horribly wrong. Because Shawn is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting young men you could ever hope to meet. Although he can't speak, can't walk, and can't even control any of his movements as simple as winking his eyelids, Shawn is, in effect, a genius. He can remember everything he's ever heard--from a television commercial, to a music lyric, to a conversation overheard while waiting for the bus. He's also extremely brilliant, maybe even more so than a "typical" teen with an IQ of 180. Shawn learned to read by listening to his older sister, Cindy, play school. He learned about girls and beer from listening to one-sided conversations his older brother, Paul, had with his buddies on the telephone. He learned what unconditional love is by watching his mother bathe him, feed him, and take care of him every day of his life. And he learned what abandonment, brought on by love mixed with fear, was when his father, a Pulitzer-winning poet, left their family.

To say that STUCK IN NEUTRAL is about Shawn's fear that his father is planning to kill him would be correct, but it would also be wrong. Shawn knows the world only through what he glimpses when everyone thinks there's no one home inside his worthless body, and this book is, more than anything else, his story of life, love, loss, and hope. This is the story that everyone who has ever uttered the words "I'd do anything for my children" needs to read. This is the book that everyone who's ever laughed at the "retarded" kids in school needs to read. This is, without a doubt, the story everyone, for whatever reason, needs to read.

Shawn will stay with me for the rest of my life. My hope is that eventually my two children will read STUCK IN NEUTRAL and be better people because of it. In fact, my hope is that I'll now be a better person after having read it. Yes, it's that good, and yes, you need to read it today. If it doesn't affect you in some way, all I can say is that you're more of a vegetable than Shawn will ever be.

Reviewed by:Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" ... Read more