the introduction of my book "Cruise Control" by Terry TruemanThe main character of “Cruise Control” is a bad tempered senior high school student named Paul McDaniel. Paul has a tough personality. He never backs down from a fight and is very protective especially of his 14-year-old brother named Shawn. Shawn has cerebral palsy, which means Shawn sits in a wheelchair all day unable to care for himself. Paul is quite focused on schoolwork, football, baseball or the current season, basketball. He is trying to get athletic scholarships from either Georgetown University or Gonzaga College.The beginning of the story it introduces Paul, his sister Cindy, his mom Lindy and his brother Shawn. Their father, Sydney, walked out on them a while ago. As the story progresses Paul’s dad comes into play when he wrote a poem about Shawn and his condition. Which lead to Sydney winning a Pulitzer Prize. Paul is not happy that his dad trying to get back into the family. Lindy explains to Paul that his dad did not abandon them. Instead, she had kicked him due to the lack of support she needed to care for Sean. Paul decides to make peace with his dad and his basketball team wins the championship.Based on the characters experiences I think what the author is trying to say about life are, do not dwell on the past, live in the now. As it may be hard for Paul to forgive his father for leaving, he can let that affect his life. I also think what the author is trying to say about life is enjoy it while your young. When you grow up you have so many responsibilities and stress for the future you need to enjoy being a kid.The main issue in this story is Shawn’s condition and how it affects each member in his family. Lindy was left to raise three kids, one with cerebral palsy, alone. Paul feels obligated to take on a lot of responsibility for Shawn. Seeing how he is the man of the house and oldest sibling. Cindy also feels a little responsibility for Shawn. Her mom really needs her help and Paul is not around. Sydney is affected not only by Shawn’s illness but also by the anger Paul has for him. In the end of the story, the reader finds out Lindy kicked Sydney. Sydney was forced to leave because he could not give the support Lindy needed to raise Shawn. Shawn is most affected because he is the one that has to live his whole life with cerebral palsy. Unable to sit up, Sean spends his day in a wheel chair all day drooling and unable to walk or talk. Though he may not know that he is not like everyone else, Sean lives a difficult life.There is one particular event in the book that makes it seem real and important. Paul finally had enough of his father. They have a huge big fight. Saying hurtful things to his father. Words and feelings that had been built up for years inside of Paul and he was ready to let his dad have it. It is real because all teenagers fight with their parents and it is important because it made Paul realize he is not mad, he is sad and he needs to fix it. His feelings affect his game and his team really needs him to pull through and do his best. Another event that made the book seem real or important is because of Shawn’s condition he has random seizures, at one point he had a terrible episode when Paul and he’s friend Tim are playing basketball and it makes the family afraid that Shawn’s condition is getting worse. This could all really happen and people have to deal with this. There is a lesson and it is learn to deal with what god gives you.
this is a really good book i recomened this book to anyone

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