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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I have read a lot of books but this one really stays with you. I was probably in my twenty's when I read "A child called It" then this one. I liked the first one better yet one needs to read this one if they read the other.
challenging
emotional
sad
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
This is a story about life in the foster care system and dealing with personal demons. In this book, Mr. Pelzer is trying to move on to find a loving family system that he yearns for. This pursuit is complicated by his mother's visits and his own mentality. It's a good book that shows the reach of control an abuser has over their victim.
Dave Pelzer's The Lost Boy is his sequel to A Child Called 'It'. He continues his story from the ages 12-18 revealing what happened in his life after social services removed him from home. I felt that some details that were discussed in his previous novel were repeated but I guess this is to inform new readers in case they hadn't read his first publication - unlikely. In his second memoir he discusses his life adapting to foster care and trying to heal from the torture inflicted on him by his mother. I think he moves between five different foster homes and the juvenile detention centre, struggling to adapt to the real world and eager to please, is regularly taken advantage of.
Most adolescents do stupid things, but in his desperation to be liked and accepted by his peers poor Pelzer makes some bad choices (but he is judged so harshly for these mistakes which I feel lots of teens without the trauma would make.) No one gives this kid a break. He talk a lot about the shame he felt trying to understand why he was treated so badly which is regularly encouraged by others judgement of him for being in foster care, instantly perceiving him to be trouble. This memoir sequel concludes with Pelzer turning eighteen and receiving his G.E.D. to join the air force. Pelzer is thankful for his time in foster care, knowing that this rescue saved his life. He is so positive about his carers and his social workers, it is wonderful reading about the people who helped him recover from his abuse while helping mould him into a man. Although I doubt I'll reread this novel, I enjoyed continuing Pelzer's story.
Most adolescents do stupid things, but in his desperation to be liked and accepted by his peers poor Pelzer makes some bad choices (but he is judged so harshly for these mistakes which I feel lots of teens without the trauma would make.) No one gives this kid a break. He talk a lot about the shame he felt trying to understand why he was treated so badly which is regularly encouraged by others judgement of him for being in foster care, instantly perceiving him to be trouble. This memoir sequel concludes with Pelzer turning eighteen and receiving his G.E.D. to join the air force. Pelzer is thankful for his time in foster care, knowing that this rescue saved his life. He is so positive about his carers and his social workers, it is wonderful reading about the people who helped him recover from his abuse while helping mould him into a man. Although I doubt I'll reread this novel, I enjoyed continuing Pelzer's story.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
I am very thankful that Dave shared his story with the world, although I cannot imagine it was easy to write all of this and relive these hard times. Please read this and A Child Called "It"--although tough to read and learn of these realities, they are eye openers.
Really good look into the foster system of times past
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence