In Other Words

William Blackburn teaches children’s literature at the University of
Calgary.

This is a book about two children with cerebral palsy—by an author who
has himself lived with cerebral palsy since birth. Given this fact, the
critic’s puny authority—arbitrary and trivial at best—rapidly
melts into air.

Soon after they meet, John and Debbie become firm friends; their
inability to speak proves only a trifling barrier to the meeting of
their hearts and minds. Despite their occasional frustrations and the
constant challenges they face, they are invariably brave and
persevering. Their courage and determination are rewarded by a visit
from interplanetary travelers, attracted by the children’s ability to
communicate telepathically with each other. They teach the children to
fly, and invite them to enjoy the first freedom they have ever known by
becoming fellow space travelers. John and Debbie refuse—“the biggest
decision of their lives”—but are consoled by the knowledge of their
secret ability to fly.

Some readers will question the book’s resorting to fantasy—though
it does provide a metaphor for spiritual courage (and saves the book
from falling into the glib and insulting optimism of a “realistic”
work like The Secret Garden). Others may cynically—and with, alas,
good reason— question the depiction of all the people these children
know as patient, sympathetic, and understanding. But, whatever its
flaws, In Other Words is a disturbing book on a disturbing and all too
often an invisible subject. Not for the faint of heart, it is strong
medicine—but medicine nonetheless, as stories of courage always are.
Highly recommended.