A bittersweet comeback story

Crutcher, C. (1987). The crazy horse electric game. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. Willie is a local hero in his small Montana town. A natural athlete and the star pitcher for his high school baseball team, everyone knows Willie is destined for great things, especially his father, Big Will, who has worked hard to prepare him for greatness. Willie plays the game of his life and cements his reputation as a local celebrity and he relishes the glory heaped upon him. And just as Willie feels most invincible, he becomes a victim of a tragic boating accident, which changes everything.

As a result, the future Willie, and all those around him, expected is no longer a possibility. His body betrays him and his father can't adjust to having a son with a disability. His friends don't know how to act around him and he refuses to help himself by doing the necessary physical therapy. As life becomes more unbearable, Willie runs away to San Francisco and finally is able to make peace with the life he has instead of mourning the life he expected. Although the book was published almost 30 years ago, The Crazy Horse Electric Game is an enduring novel. Willie must overcome both physical and emotional obstacles in order to accept his own limitations as well as those of those he loves.