The Push by Patrick Gray

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The Push

A Story of Friendship
Illustrated by Justin Skeesuck and Matt Waresak

This is a beautiful hardcover children's book, with a dust jacket, that tells the story of the friendship between two boys, one in a wheelchair with no ability to use his arms and legs and the other boy who would carry him, feed him and push him where he needed to go. The illustrations are nicely done, watercolor with ink, is the style I believe.

It's an amazing story of friendship that I think kids of this age need to hear and emulate. It required something from both boys, John had to be willing to be helped and Marcus had to be willing to help. Both boys learned something from the other one.

What makes this story better is the truth behind it. Patrick and Justin are those friends. Even though, as young children there were no disabilities, today, as men,  Justin has lost the use of his extremities and Patrick is there to support and encourage him, including pushing him 500 miles on his wheelchair across the Camino del Santiago. Yes, Patrick had help at times to push Justin, but the responsibility for taking care of Justin was Patrick's. They have remained best friends through it all.

We need more friends like this in the world.

I am happy that my daughter seems to really like this book and I am hoping that through reading it numerous times, it will help her both to be a friend to everyone, including those with special needs, as well as making her aware that not everyone is like her.

I really enjoyed this book and thought the story line was well written.

I received this book from Tyndale Publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

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