Dave Pelzer- A Child Called “It” and The Lost Boy (Health Communications Inc. 1995) 4.75 Stars
For Dave Pelzer life was so perfect. They had a happy family and enjoyed fun outings, until one inexplicable day things changed. Suddenly Dave wasn’t worthy of a name, food, a proper bed, or new clothes. He became the beating child who went without food most days. His struggle to survive took all of his being and he had to learn to steal what food he got. Just getting through the day was all he could accomplish.
Before reading this my wife had warned me that it would be a really tough read and she sure was right. This kind of terrible abuse is just atrocious to think of. I studied youth care work and this book helps me understand more of their backgrounds and what they went through. I was able to see many quirks that we were trained to watch out for in our courses. Dave’s story is one that makes a body want to cry, but I also found myself wishing that his mother would die a slow and agonising death. The blame also falls on his father though for being a spineless coward who just let it all happen. It was a happy moment when Dave was taken into the foster program, which we all knew was coming through the little introductory section. Overall I have to say, a great pair of books, but not ones to pick up and read lightly.
For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com.
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
