Head Over Wheels

by Lee Kingman

After an automobile accident, 17-year-old identical twins, Terry and Kerry, must face the fact that Terry will never walk again.

Genres: Young Adult

186 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 1978

About the author

Mary Lee Kingman Natti, who published under the name Lee Kingman, was a writer of children's and young adult books usually set in New England, many specifically in Cape Ann, where she lived most of her life.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book opens with twin brothers Kerry and Terry, about to start their senior year, having been in a car accident. Terry is then a quadriplegic with some use of his arms and hands. I didn't expect that the majority of the novel would take place with Terry in the hospital and in rehab, but he doesn't leave rehab for good until there's only thirty pages left in the book.

It's mostly about the impact of a catastrophic injury on the whole family, the parents, Kerry, and the two younger siblings. Everyone who can gets a job, whereas before, only the dad worked. They have to rearrange the house, etc. And Kerry no longer feels connected to his twin, who had begun to pull away the summer before, spending more time with his girlfriend.

Both boys were athletes and did not plan to go to college, so Kerry has to figure out what to do with his life, and Terry has to figure out how to live his the way it is now as well.

It's written in that very straightforward 70s way. And it's not particularly funny or very engaging. Just serious, and probably pretty realistic as far as rehab goes. The happy, brotherly scene on the cover doesn't happen.

Points for featuring a doctor who uses a wheelchair. (He was already a doctor and married with kids when he got polio, but still.)

[Mary JL · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Kerry and his twin borther, Terry are in a car wreck, Kerry escapes with a few scratches.

But his twin, Terry, is now paralyzed from the neck down.

This excellent novel tells of the story of how Terry's accident affected not only his life, but his entire family. The emotional and financial toll of this event is delved into with great detail.

The contrasting characters of the 17 year old twins is well done; but the rest of the family; friend; and medical staff are also well portrayed. The ending was excellent.

Recommended for any reader--it is out of print but if you find a copy, you will enjoy it.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy, the 70s and 80s were a prime era for "issues" novels for young adults. This one is about a car crash that leaves one of a set of twins in a wheelchair.

[Asad · Rating 1 out of 5]

good