Petey by Ben Mikaelsen

Bibliographic Information:

Mikaelsen, B. (1998). Petey. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN# 0786813369

Plot Summary:
When Petey was born in the early 1990s his mother knew something was wrong. He didn’t move like other children nor did he act like them. Taking care of him was extremely difficult. Doctors told her that he was mentally retarded and recommended institutionalization. Petey mother tried as best as she could, but eventually she tearfully sent him to a mental institution. The orderlies and staff at first thought that Petey was physically there, but not mentally aware. After being around Petey, they came to realize that he was mentally functioning and trying to communicate. Petey even finds a friend in Calvin, a fellow patient. After spending many years in the institution, gaining and losing many of his friends on the staff as they moved on to other jobs or responsibilities, it is finally discovered that Petey has cerebral palsy, not mental retardation. He is moved to an old folks home where he meets a new friend, Trevor, a sad picked upon boy.

Critical Evaluation:
What a wonderful story! Mikaelsen writes with such descriptive language that the reader truly feels Petey’s mother’s caring of him, Petey’s struggles to communicate, and his sense of loss each time another care taker leaves. We feel Petey’s helplessness in the face of not being understood and his joy when he is understood as when he answers, “Guu guu” (good good) when asked if he likes his new wheelchair (p. 129.) The book is dedicated to Clyde Cothern who inspired it and became Mikaelsen’s “Grandpa Petey.” Throughout the novel, no matter misunderstood Petey is, he still tries to communicate and for the most part stays positive. This is truly an inspiring story. Mikaelsen includes an Author’s Note explaining cerebral palsy, how it was treated in the early 1900s, and contact information for the United Cerebral Palsy Association.

Reader's Annotation:
Petey, born in the early 1900s with cerebral palsy, gets placed in a mental institution. The book details how Petey communicates with others, has friendships, and shows that cerebral palsy is not the same as mental retardation.

Information about the author:
Ben Mikaelsen has written three other books, all of which have received awards. Currently he lives in Montana “with his wife and a five-hundred-pound black bear named Buffy.

Genre: Historical/realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language arts; Social Studies; Biology/Medical Science

Booktalking Ideas:
• What is cerebral palsy?
• Historically how did people react to someone with cerebral palsy? What did they know of the condition?
• What were mental institutions like fifty, years ago, eighty years ago?
• How/why would someone give up their child?
• What makes a friend?
• What is communication? What are some of the different ways people can communicate?
• What is isolation? How would you deal with it?


Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest range according to the reviews is 6th – 12th grade and ages 11 – up.

Challenge Issues:
Cerebral palsy; bullying; mental institutions; giving up one’s child; isolation

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 10 - up.

Six positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on five Best Books Lists
• Appears on eight state/provincial reading lists
• Has received two awards

A discussion guide can be found from the Multnomah County Library at http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-petey.html

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~Oqu7X1:1