can u guys give me a kinda small brief summary about the book "a child called it" i read but a long time ago...can u guy give me a small detailed summary? please..and thank u =]
2007-09-18 10:20:39 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
again its called answers and thats why i'm asking... if u guy dont wanna help just dont comment
2007-09-18 10:29:39 · update #1
Dave Pelzer was the third-born of five children (Ronald, Stan, Russell, and Kevin). His father was a fireman and, according to Dave, his mother was originally a loving, kind and wonderful person.
The book states that around the time that the author turned five, things within the family slowly began to change. While his father was away at work often, his mother became an alcoholic. The author's mother has claimed that Dave was so badly behaved that he required punishment. The summer before Dave started kindergarten his mother reportedly beat him, dislocating his shoulder. The book goes on to describe a period of mixed emotions over the following few years with the increasingly abusive and damaging behavior from Ms. Roerva gradually ostracizing Dave from the rest of the family.
The book describes the worsening abuse which Pelzer suffered at the hand of his mother and her alcoholism. Among the many incidents discussed is that Ms. Roerva attempted to burn Dave on a stove when he was eight years old. She also stabbed him in the stomach, and did not take him to the hospital. By this point he was no longer considered as part of the family and lived in the basement denied basic contact, play and food. Ms. Roerva has stated that she did not want Dave to interact with "her family" demonstrating the lack of regard in which he was held.
Over time the depth of the abuse worsened. Dave claims he was forced to sit in the Prisoner of War position (head bent backwards facing sky and sitting on hands). His mother stopped using his name and began referring to him first as "The Boy" and finally "It". The punishments are reported to have evolved into 'sick games' in which Ms. Roerva made her son suffer.
Incidents cited in the book include; forcing ammonia down his throat, cleaning a sealed bathroom while inhaling the fumes from a bucket of ammonia mixed with chlorine bleach, inducing vomiting followed by forced ingestion, smashing his face against a mirror while forcing him to say"I'm a bad boy", lying in the bathtub naked with freezing water for hours, an 'accidental' stabbing, rubbing his face in his baby brother's soiled diaper, making him eat his youngest brother's feces out of his diaper, as well as starvation and general malnutrition.
2007-09-18 10:27:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
A Child Called It is a heart wrenching true story about one child's survival of one of the worst child abuse cases ever reported in California history. Dave Pelzer lived in a world of starvation, cruelty, and torture from the age of four until his rescue by courageous school officials at the age of twelve. This autobiography will both horrify and inspire all who read Dave's incredible journey through the dark insanity of his mother's rage.
Dave was washing the dishes, hoping he could get done quick enough to avoid his mother's rage and to have the opportunity to eat some breakfast. Although he does not do the former, Dave was allowed the leftovers of his brother's cereal.
Mother drove Dave to school today, although she normally forced him to run. At school, Dave was called to the nurse's office so she could inventory his injuries, a routine they have carried on for quite some time. This time was different, however. This time, the nurse called in the principal.
2007-09-18 17:32:53 · answer #2 · answered by sweets 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow I read that book a long time ago too. And it was a fascinating look at an extremely disturbed child. I wish I could give you that summary but it's been too many years since I read it.
2007-09-18 17:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by Kathleen M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the Public Library.
2007-09-18 17:23:44 · answer #4 · answered by comicards 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very very sad story, it is about child abuse and neglect. You really should just read the book!
2007-09-18 17:23:21 · answer #5 · answered by Flower Girl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Read here : http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-a-child-called-it/plotsummary.html
Very sad book. Did you ever read the follow up ones?
2007-09-18 17:24:20 · answer #6 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read it again. There is no joy like rereading an old friend. =]
2007-09-18 17:26:07 · answer #7 · answered by +:GoodLife78+ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do your own homework, slacker!
2007-09-18 17:23:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
just google it.
2007-09-18 17:25:09 · answer #9 · answered by kris10dice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no.
2007-09-18 17:26:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋