At 12 years old, Peg is suddenly stricken by polio. Her quick thinking parents manage to get her medical care almost immediately, greatly improving her chances. Nonetheless, her case is severe and in the short term, renders her paralyzed from the neck down. This story chronicles her time with polio and her slow recovery process, highlighting all the way, just how much she is one of the lucky ones.
Filled with warm anecdotes and a testament to Peg’s spirit, this is a fabulous choice for middle grades readers in search of a memoir. She writes so vividly about her experiences and small victories that it will certainly help today’s children understand something which is so very far removed from their own lives. It also provides a great springboard for discussion of both history and science.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – One of her treatments requires that she wear only underpants. They tease one of the girls about wanting a tall dark and handsome man. Peg’s brother is a “dreamboat.” The lyrics to a song contain the words “I ain’t had no lovin’ since since January…”
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – The Prologue points out that polio killed or crippled thousands of people a year.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – The description of the onset of the illness might be worrisome to children. Peg finds herself unable to walk. She finds herself paralyzed. Due to risk of spreading polio, her parents are unable to see her in the hospital. They take Peg’s teddy bear to be burned. Peg interacts with many people who have been paralyzed to varying degrees. One girl’s parents choose not to take her back after her illness because she is paralyzed, so she lives at the hospital and is a ward of the state.
