
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the difficult emotions that arise when a sibling or close family member faces a serious illness or acquires a disability. Set just after World War II, the story follows twelve-year-old Keely, whose world is turned upside down when her older brother, Patrick, is paralyzed by polio. As Patrick withdraws, Keely embarks on a determined, sometimes misguided, campaign to bring joy and hope back into his life. This poignant historical novel explores themes of sibling love, resilience, grief, and adapting to a new reality. For ages 10 to 14, it's a powerful tool for validating a child's feelings of helplessness and showing how love can manifest as fierce, creative action in the face of tragedy.
The book deals directly and realistically with the physical and emotional devastation of polio and resulting paralysis. The approach is secular. Patrick's depression and suicidal ideation are present but handled with sensitivity for the age group. The resolution is realistic, not a miraculous cure. It's hopeful in that Patrick finds a new will to live and the family adapts, but it does not sugarcoat the permanence of his disability.
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Sign in to write a reviewA mature 10 to 14-year-old who is a sibling to a child with a serious illness or newly acquired disability. It is also for a child who feels overlooked or powerless in a family crisis and is trying to find their role. It speaks to kids who process their feelings through action and "doing."
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of polio before the vaccine. They should also preview the scenes dealing with Patrick's deep despair and a moment where he asks Keely to help him end his life (Chapter 17). This requires a sensitive conversation about depression and suicidal thoughts. The parent notices their child is acting out, withdrawing, or becoming overly solicitous of an ill or disabled sibling. The child might say something like, "I just wish I could fix it," or "Everything is different now and I hate it."
A younger reader (10-11) will focus on Keely's specific schemes and the sibling bond. They will see it as a story of a sister trying to cheer up her brother. An older reader (12-14) will grasp the deeper themes of existential despair, the nuances of grief within a family system, and the historical weight of the polio epidemic. They will better understand the complexity of Keely's motivations and Patrick's psychological state.
Unlike many books that focus on the experience of the person with the disability, this story is told entirely from the "well" sibling's perspective. It masterfully captures the unique and often complicated cocktail of guilt, love, resentment, and fierce loyalty that siblings in this situation experience. Its historical setting also adds a unique layer, highlighting the fear and lack of options before modern medicine.
Twelve-year-old Keely idolizes her adventurous older brother Patrick. Set in Ontario, Canada in 1946, their lives are shattered when Patrick contracts polio and becomes a quadriplegic. As Patrick sinks into a deep depression, Keely, feeling a mix of guilt and fierce love, dedicates herself to a series of "causes" designed to re-engage him with life, from staging elaborate shows to attempting to acquire a horse. Her efforts often misfire, but her unwavering determination slowly helps her family, and Patrick, find a new path forward.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.