Analysis
A Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer, is classified as a biography. Throughout the book Dave describes how difficult life is being raised by a mother who was not only an alcoholic but also mentally ill, and an absent, weak father. This book is a very emotional story about an abused child, the story is told through imagery, and descriptive details.
The author catches the reader's attention and appeals by emotion by using imagery. He describes what is happening in the story so vividly that you almost feel as if you are right there watching as the events occur. After Dave had gotten stabbed he describes what happens while he is regaining his consciousness and getting up. The author says "I struggle to get to the kitchen, although I am in pain, and blood is seeping through the dressing." makes the reader feel sorry for Dave being stabbed and still being expected to finish washing dishes. It also keeps the reader drawn into the book to see if Dave will survive the horrific stab wound.
I found this book very interesting because I was constantly curious as to what would happen next. It keeps the reader wondering If Dave would ever "win" the game his mother was always playing and live a happy life or if his mother would "win" and he would eventually maybe even die. I thought it was fairly easy to read but some may find it confusing because he starts the book with foreshadowing. When you first start reading the author is being called to the principals office to talk to social workers, then the story is told from the very beginning up to ending the story with this very same starting point.
My initial impression of the book was that the authors beliefs and themes throughout the book would be very strong and powerful since he is writing about his own personal experience with abuse. I thought it would be a very emotional story full of anger and hopelessness. Throughout the book there are several very strong messages but anger is not one. Although at one point Dave does lose hopelessness its only for a short time. I thought it would be quite emotional story but now after reading it I see it was much more emotional than I ever thought of it to be. I feel it is more emotional after reading it because I felt as if I was actually there during some events and got to know Dave by reading his story.
The author’s purpose of writing the book is to reach out to other children that have been abused and inform others of abuse as well. He also intended to reassure other children that there is a way out, they too can over come any obstacle and to never lose your faith or hope.
There are several different messages the author writes about in the book. The first message is to stay strong no matter how bad things are they can always be overcome. To do anything to better yourself, do what you believe will help you survive. The second message is to be courageous, Dave thought of himself as a “’prisoner of war’” in his own home and he proves later on in the story that he is not only a survivor but “a man of extreme courage and fortitude.” Another message the author creates is to stay faithful to your religion because when he lost his faith nothing changed but once he gained his religious faith back it played a part in his resilience. The last message in the story was even if it feels like nobody is there, God is always there. The author says “Instead of dwelling on the past, I maintained the same focus that I had taught myself years ago in the garage, knowing the good Lord was always over my shoulder, giving me quiet encouragement and strength when I need it most.”
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is interested in biographies. This book is appropriate for anyone in middle school or older. Although it is abusive and emotional, so it probably wouldn't be a good book for people that are very bothered and disturbed by any kind of violence or overly emotional people.
In conclusion, I think very highly of this book. I think everyone should consider reading A Child Called it because of the impact it leaves on one. Its such a wonderful story with several very compelling messages throughout the book. The book was also very well written and the author used imagery to draw people in which made the book even more amazing because you felt as if you were there in some of the situations with Dave.
A Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer, is classified as a biography. Throughout the book Dave describes how difficult life is being raised by a mother who was not only an alcoholic but also mentally ill, and an absent, weak father. This book is a very emotional story about an abused child, the story is told through imagery, and descriptive details.
The author catches the reader's attention and appeals by emotion by using imagery. He describes what is happening in the story so vividly that you almost feel as if you are right there watching as the events occur. After Dave had gotten stabbed he describes what happens while he is regaining his consciousness and getting up. The author says "I struggle to get to the kitchen, although I am in pain, and blood is seeping through the dressing." makes the reader feel sorry for Dave being stabbed and still being expected to finish washing dishes. It also keeps the reader drawn into the book to see if Dave will survive the horrific stab wound.
I found this book very interesting because I was constantly curious as to what would happen next. It keeps the reader wondering If Dave would ever "win" the game his mother was always playing and live a happy life or if his mother would "win" and he would eventually maybe even die. I thought it was fairly easy to read but some may find it confusing because he starts the book with foreshadowing. When you first start reading the author is being called to the principals office to talk to social workers, then the story is told from the very beginning up to ending the story with this very same starting point.
My initial impression of the book was that the authors beliefs and themes throughout the book would be very strong and powerful since he is writing about his own personal experience with abuse. I thought it would be a very emotional story full of anger and hopelessness. Throughout the book there are several very strong messages but anger is not one. Although at one point Dave does lose hopelessness its only for a short time. I thought it would be quite emotional story but now after reading it I see it was much more emotional than I ever thought of it to be. I feel it is more emotional after reading it because I felt as if I was actually there during some events and got to know Dave by reading his story.
The author’s purpose of writing the book is to reach out to other children that have been abused and inform others of abuse as well. He also intended to reassure other children that there is a way out, they too can over come any obstacle and to never lose your faith or hope.
There are several different messages the author writes about in the book. The first message is to stay strong no matter how bad things are they can always be overcome. To do anything to better yourself, do what you believe will help you survive. The second message is to be courageous, Dave thought of himself as a “’prisoner of war’” in his own home and he proves later on in the story that he is not only a survivor but “a man of extreme courage and fortitude.” Another message the author creates is to stay faithful to your religion because when he lost his faith nothing changed but once he gained his religious faith back it played a part in his resilience. The last message in the story was even if it feels like nobody is there, God is always there. The author says “Instead of dwelling on the past, I maintained the same focus that I had taught myself years ago in the garage, knowing the good Lord was always over my shoulder, giving me quiet encouragement and strength when I need it most.”
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that is interested in biographies. This book is appropriate for anyone in middle school or older. Although it is abusive and emotional, so it probably wouldn't be a good book for people that are very bothered and disturbed by any kind of violence or overly emotional people.
In conclusion, I think very highly of this book. I think everyone should consider reading A Child Called it because of the impact it leaves on one. Its such a wonderful story with several very compelling messages throughout the book. The book was also very well written and the author used imagery to draw people in which made the book even more amazing because you felt as if you were there in some of the situations with Dave.