A Child Called It Book Report

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Title: A Child Called It Author: Dave Pelzer Publisher: Health Communications Publisher Address: 3201 S.W. 15th street Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190 Year of Publication: September 1, 1995 The book, “A Child Called It,” is a story of the author Dave Pelzer himself. It describes one of the worst child abuse cases ever reported in California. From starvation to cruel torture, four year old Dave had to fight for his life. Dave described his family as a typical 1960’s “Brady Bunch”. His father was a firefighter and his mother was a regular mom who loved her children. She was a great gardener, and always kept the house really clean. Dave also described his mother as an amazing cook, always fixing delicious meals for the family to enjoy.…show more content…
For example, Dave describes his family as normal and loving, therefore I assume Dave got the attention he needed to develop trust towards his parents especially his Mother. I assume that Dave went through the second and third stages of development just as good as he did the first. The changes began to occur in the school-age child stage of industry vs. inferiority. Instead of being able to gain a sense of self-worth, Dave becomes confused as to why he is getting treated this way and his brothers are not. As well as to why his mother is acting so differently. As he starts to enter the adolescent stage of identity vs. role confusion, he notices he does not have anyone to turn to. Kids at school are picking on him, abusing him, and teachers have done nothing but call his parents when he gets caught stealing food. He doesn’t have an inspiration. His own brothers begin to take the role of his mother treating him like dirt. Dave’s mother is in the middle-age stage of generativity vs. stagnation which falls back on reaching satisfaction within career, family, and other civic interests. This is when she starts developing psychotic issues along with an addiction to alcohol. She hasn’t reached satisfaction, so she begins to turn insane performing abuse on her…show more content…
I read through the entire thing almost non-stop. David shows us how much a human spirit can endure and still remain complete. I would recommend this book to everyone. I believe everyone needs to see what kinds of actions can be taken behind the doors of a so-called “home”. In particular, I would recommend this book to employees of daycares and teachers to be on the lookout of these horrible occurrences. This book motivates me to help children who have been abused. Reading further on Dave Pelzer’s life, he has accomplished so much. I believe he is an outstanding role model for children with bad child hoods. His life goes to show that no matter the difficulties with undergo, self-worthiness is still

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