The Child Called it

Alexandra Assaad

Claire Chalhoub

Book blog four

7-3

A Child Called it

It all started with a little boy called Dave Pelzer. He suffered through a lot because his mother used to abuse him. Dave Pelzer was not the only child in the family, but he was the only one who would be starved, beaten, and much more. He was brave and through all that, survived. Not only did his mother abuse him, but he was also bullied at school for smelling bad and wearing the same clothes every day. Dave would say how his mother used to be the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but that she then started drinking and became fat and crazy. The nurse at school would notice that there was something wrong and he would be called out of class to see what new bruises and cuts that she could find. Finally at the end of the book, the teachers of his school, Thomas Edison Elementary School, called the police. That was the day that he was rescued. Dave showed perseverance because he never gave up from his mom beating him every day, and he always stood strong and brave after everything his mother has done to him and the pain she has caused him to go through. He never told anyone anything and just went through the pain. He overcame and faced his problems alone, and after the staff of his school helped him, he went to a foster home. He suffered all his life and suffered his childhood forced to eat dog food, drink bleach, sleep in the basement, clean all day, and so much more. Dave Pelzer is still alive today breathing, and able to tell his story.

This autobiography takes place during the year 1973 in Daly City, California. Dave Pelzer also talks about previous moments that happened in the previous years.

“March 5, 1973, Daly City, California I’m late.”

Pelzer, David J.. "The Rescue." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 3. Print.

            The individuals influenced the events around him because; during those years children rights were not really known and strict as they are now. Right now more people are aware of it and know how to deal with it. Dave didn’t know about it, and how to complain to other people even if he was scared. So the mother got away with it for a long time. If it was during our times she would have been caught sooner than she would have been before. “ David Pelzer’s story must be told so that we can mobilize Americans to create a country where it won’t hurt to be a child.”

Pelzer, David J.. "perspectives on child abuse." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 173. Print.

        

Vocabulary Words:

Magnitude

Page: 133

Definition: a big size or extent of something.

Part of speech: noun

Sentence (from book): I wanted her to feel the magnitude of my pain and my loneliness for all these years.

Pelzer, David J.. "The Lord's Player." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 133. Print.

Bolted

Page: 143

Definition: run away really quickly from fear.

Part of speech:  verb

Sentence (from the book): I bolted for he hallway, but her hand seized me by the neck.

Pelzer, David J.. "The Lord's Player." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 143. Print.

Seized

Page: 143

Definition: hold something all of sudden strongly.

Part of speech: verb

Sentence (from the book): I bolted for he hallway, but her hand seized me by the neck.

Pelzer, David J.. "The Lord's Player." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 143. Print.

Vibrant

Page: 132

Definition: full of energy

Part of speech: adjective

Sentence (from the book): The once vibrant escapes of watching myself fly through the clouds in bright blue costumes.

Pelzer, David J.. "The Lord's Player." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 132. Print.

Fervent

Page: 174

Definition: burning

Part of speech: adjective

Sentence (from the book): The only cure for child abuse is its prevention; and it is my fervent hope that this book will help.

Pelzer, David J.. "The Lord's Player." A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. 132. Print.

Reflection: This book matters because it shows you and teaches you to be strong, and never be afraid to speak up. The so what of this book is to never be afraid of speaking up because sometimes it can really save your life, like in Dave’s situation. I really liked Dave Pelzer and his character, but I wish that when he was a kid he stood up more for his rights and complained about his mom. The problem was that he was too afraid of her. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because it is such a good book it even made me cry. Anyone who likes sad and true stories, I recommend this book to them. The person is important to think about and talk about because he was so brave, and we should learn to be brave like Dave. We shouldn’t complain because many people in this world suffer a lot, and we complain about little things. Dave taught me to appreciate things more. I saw myself in the person I read about because Dave was scared to complain about his mom because he was scared of her, and when I am scared of something it is hard for me to deal with the problem and talk to someone. I would rate the book a ten out of ten. Honestly, this is my favorite book and I have read it several times. This book really made me love reading.

Pelzer, David J.. A child called "it": an abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, Fla.: Health Communications, 1995. Print.