And even more than in fiction, there are wholesome themes and insights presented in this book - subtle and never blatant, such as the author increasing in kindness, generosity, and being aware of the hardship of others, while being honest about being resentful of them at first.įor me, the most wonderful part of Small Steps, aside from the author and her personal story, are the other people that populate the pages of this book. The author's writing style is smooth, crisp, and vivid, and it draws me into the story, and her bright personality, wit, and sense of humor shine throughout the book. I cried at the author's experiences and hardship, from reading about the thoughts or feelings that are similar to ones I've experienced, from the sadness that it brings me to be aware of the suffering of so many people who face serious illness, at the example of the wonderful doctors who cared for her and comforted the author, and with tears and sobs of joy at her healing and recovery. It's rare for a book to make me cry real tears even once, but this book made me cry often throughout on my most recent read - genuine tears and even sobs. Small Steps doesn't just make me laugh - it also makes me cry many, many times throughout the book, in a good way. This book makes me laugh often, at the events the author experienced or caused, the way she tells about them, her self-deprecating wit, or the jokes she made in moments of difficulty. She's honest about her despair, terror, and each of her other feelings, but she never loses her hope and determination even when faced with the possibility of death or the probability of lifelong paralysis or disability.Īnd through it all, she also never lost her sense of humor, choosing to have joy and make jokes even through immense pain, hardship, and loneliness. I feel for her as I read about each event and struggle she went through. I admire the author's courage, resilience, determination, joy, and will to survive and recover, and her immense spirit that couldn't be extinguished. The book vividly conveys each event - including the author's terrifying polio diagnosis, illness, and complete paralysis at the age of 12 facing great pain and the threat of death her long and difficult recovery each of the family members, roommates, and medical professionals who were with her each step of the way and much more. Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret is a true story of hope, healing, courage, resilience, and the determination to fight and win against a terrible disease despite overwhelming odds.Įach time I read Small Steps, I experience along with the author her joys and sorrows, her laughter and tears, her defeats and victories. If I had to choose to name one book as the most inspiring book I've ever read, it just might be this one.

Small steps book polio