A Child Called “It”: Ones Courage to Survive — Mimi’s March Book Report
Mimi came home today saying “I got all my homeworks and project done. Such a huge weight lifted from my shoulder!!!”. She went on counting all the assignment she accomplished —
social science project
science project (the demonstration with Lizzy — by the way, they did an EXCELLENT job today!)
March book report
BOCES writing contest
Math homework
and on…..
I was really happy to see that Mimi took her school work very seriously. She was able to manage her time well and accomplish her work before the deadline. It seems that she is able to juggle between her gymnastic, piano and clarinet schedule.
Mommy saw the book review report she completed and thought she did a fantastic job. This book, A Child Called “It”, is a very sad story. Mimi cried several times while reading it. Mommy almost asked her to stop reading this piece because I thought it is too heavy for a 12 years old. But she insists on finishing the book and even choose this book for her monthly book report.
Here is what she wrote:
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A Child Called “It”: Ones Courage to Survive
A Child Called “It” is a true story about a boy named Dave Pelzer who was brutally beaten and starved by his unstable, alchoholic mother, Catherine Roerva. At first, Dave lived a sturdy and healthy life with his parents and two brothers. Then one day, his mother unexpectedly turned into an unforgivable monster, unleashing her anger on her vulnerable child.
He slept in the basement on an old army cot, and wore clothes that were ratty and had holes in them; so naturally, other kids didn’t interact with him. Dave was plunged into freezing cold water, forced to eat his own vomit, stabbed, and forced to sit on a burning stove. These are a couple examples of “games” that his mother played which left him nearly dead. his mother took ffull control over him; he wasn’t allowed to speak to his father or brothers without her permission, and he had to complete certain chores in record-breaking time or else it meant punishment for being a “bad boy”. His father had tried help him, and promised him a better life, but soon gave up on the controlling mother and left. When his mother allowed him small scraps o food, it was no more than spoiled leftovers that even the dogs wouldn’t eat.
The world outside knew nothing of his abused life, so he had no one to turn to when he was hurt either physically or emotionally. The one dream that kept him alive was that one day, he would be loved and a part of the family again, or part of any loving family, that he would be free.
I gave this book a five out of five because it really describes what the life of an abused child is like. Before I read this book, I had no idea that I had so much to be thankful for, that I didn’t have to strive to live t he next day, that I don’t have to worry whether I have enough food tomorrow, and that I have parents that care and love me.
