Petey by Ben Mikaelsen (1998, Reinforced Hardcover)

Kiki, my 7th grade daughter, came home from school telling me about this book one of her teachers had read to the class, and it piqued my curiosity. She then checked it out for me, and I sat down and read it in one day.

Born in 1922, Petey was an ugly baby, difficult to care for, and finally was given to be a ward of the state by his very reluctant parents.

Diagnosed as an idiot, Petey lived in an insane institution for most of his life. While there, he made few friends, but the ones he made were those who could see past his slobbering mouth, spastic movements, and soiled clothing. They saw beyond the incorrect diagnosis and saw a loving, giving, caring, lively, intelligent young man with a sense of humor and joy in life that surpassed all reason and understanding.

However, over the years, Petey began to mistrust people. By the time he was 60, he was not able to open up and try to communicate in his notorious grunts and squeals. ("Pfer guuu, pfer guuu" or "Aaaa ufff uuu!") Too many people had come and gone in his life, people he deeply cared for. He did not understand why they had to leave when he loved them so much. Why did Esteban leave? Where did Calvin go? What did he do to make Cassie cry? And why, oh why did Owen have to leave, too?

In 1990, Petey was to meet a special and very unlikely person that would change his life, and Petey that person's, forever. The friendship formed between the two of them was unbreakable, even though the other person went through a lot of heartache in the beginning while befriending Petey.

While the story might end somewhat like a person would expect, it doesn't completely end. Petey's love and enthusiasm lives on forever, captured in the hearts and minds of all who met and loved him, and in this incredible book to be read for years to come.

This book is recommended for ages 10 and older. It would be a great read for many adults who struggle with the concept of accepting people who are different than the "norm."

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has dealt with disabilities on any level, or people who just have a caring, compassionate heart for those who are not as able bodied as others.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review, and I hope you will buy or check out this extremely good read...and enjoy it from cover to cover!

Sincerely,

Mrs. skywalker_track