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Summary: An opening of my eyes!
Review: This book was spooky, in a sad and horrifying kind of way, very sad, and yet all along a great book that made me see a different kind of light. Me and my cousin read it together, we are not 13 yet, and it made us cry and steadily pondering on the question 'what's going to happen, now?' The question wasn't answered until i got the next book, and still won't be fully answered until i get the next and last book. If u are ready to be horrified and at times touched in a different kind of light, then buy this book. It may not change your heart, but it sure changed mine.
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Summary: A soldier called Dave
Review: I received this book from Amazon yesterday. Last night I read the entire book. What a brave little soldier he was and every adult who has some experience with abuse will relate to his story. I am looking forward to reading the two sequels which I also ordered.
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Summary: Filled with Rage!
Review: Reading the first few pages of this book should've been an indication that my life would never , ever be the same again. I purchased the book Tuesday night and was done reading it by Wednesday morning. My initial reaction was shock, I am a mother of two and it is beyond belief that a woman (if you can call her that) could treat her own flesh and blood in such an inhumane manner. After shedding many tears, my shock turned to rage...rage at the father, the brothers, the neighbors, the school system (basically everyone who stood by and allowed this boy to be tortured for so long). I wish I could've been there to end the madness and hold him and let him know that yes, he was special and that he did not deserve this. David will always be in my heart as a true survivor that he is. I never thought that I could love my children any more than I already did, but this book made me look at my children in a whole different light, it is BEYOND love now, I appreciate every little smile, laugh, and innocent child's play a bizillion times more. DAVID..YOU ARE TRULY SPECIAL, GOD BLESS YOU!
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Summary: Touching, informative and a very quick read!
Review: Excellent book! As the mother of three adopted children from formerly abusive homes, I found this book to be helpful in understanding what my own children have gone through. I still had questions; such as, "Why David?" but after reading the second book in the trilogy, "The Lost Boy", some of them were answered. A very fast read, I read it in a little over an hour, it was hard to put down once I started it. I admire Dave, his resilience, persistence and inner strength to survive and overcome a seemingly impossible situation. Now my copy is circulating among both children's services social workers and other adoptive parents, with the same opinions and results. Thanks Dave!
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Summary: Riveting, yet many Questions
Review: I thought this book was good. It detailed some of the horrors of what an abused child goes through. However, there were so many missing pieces to the story that it leaves too many unanswered questions. What was the significance of the mother painting the steps and then collapsing on the couch? What triggered the turning point? What did the school do between 1st and 4th grades? Besides make a few phone calls? Why did social services only visit once? How could any school district let David go so long being further abused by the children at school, by not feeding him, or helping him by providing him with some way to clean himself up? Did the mother ever get diagnosed with anything? What happened to her? What about the other children? How have they turned out?I am going to read the other books to hopefully gain more insight. For those readers who were complaining about buying three books...don't you have libraries?
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Summary: the child that survived
Review: this book tells aboat how one child had the courage to survive through the life near death experience. David started as a normal boy with a loving mother, but she got ahold of the boose. She had a daily routeen of making sure David got his fase smashed on a mirror, but the mirror treatment was nothing compared to what she did to him as she drank more,and more.what I thought was most sad, was he thought what his mom was doing to him was the right thing. read this book, and I gaurente you that your life will not be the same.
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Summary: best book I have EVER read!
Review: i actually have only read the first chapter so far, but it already brought me to tears. david had so much courage and so much strength, i cant see how any human being could take the torture his mother inflicted on him. I am a teenager, and i usually dont like books, especially drama, but this is easily the best book i have ever started. after reading about how his class mates teased him without knowing the story I know I will never make fun of anyone else ever! thank you for opening my eyes. David, you are an inspirtaion to all ages, races, genders and religions. God bless you for having to courage to tell your story to the world and god bless you for being so brave.
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Summary: Heart Wrenchingly Amazing!
Review: A high school student introduce this book to our class. Since that day, not less than 50 of my students and co-workers have knocked on my door asking for my copy. Although it was only a few weeks old, this book, now tattered and worn has brought an awakening and curious joy to reading. Each day the borrower would return it with comments such as, "Unbelievable," or "WoW!" Students, whom had never finished an entire novel, were riveted into reading this book with mind boggling speed. I have since finished the second book, "The Lost Boy," and just started, "A Man Named Dave." I encourage everyone, young or old, to pick up this book, share it with others, and remember from whence you came. "Outstanding! " is just not giving enough credit. Utterly heart wrenching and touching does not begin to describe the emotion. Admiration, strength, and courage can not be said without thinking of Dave Pelzer.
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Summary: Thank You For Opening My Eyes
Review: If you have not read this book, buy it NOW! I have just finished reading this book, and there are no words to convey what I am feeling at this moment. Anger at his mother because he became her target. Anger at his father who thought more of himself than his son. Anger at nurses, teachers, and administrators that saw this go on for so long and opted to turn their heads. How did these people sleep at night? Admiration for the nurse, administrator, and teachers who knew the right thing to do and did it without a thought for themselves. Dave, you have brought me a new awakening. No longer will I look at a child in battered clothes and think of him/her as poor, I will look more closely for other signs. God never failed you, He was always with you to help you become what you are today, a savior for other abused children. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story. May God bless you in boundless ways, and may we be swift to serve those, like you, who are trying to save our abused children.
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Summary: Amazing
Review: I'm not sure whether to call this book good or bad. As far as the writing is concerned, it is easy to read and engaging... a colorful description of the life of an abused child. Dave Pelzer's life was SO horrific, however, that it has left an impression on me like few books are capable of. In David, we see ourselves. He was the all-american boy; perhaps, a little more gutsy (superficially) than most. Hidden away from public scrutiny, from the prying eyes of others, was his chaotic, violent, almost-deadly home life. This book is an account of what went on in Dave's life, in the shadows. What hideous crimes he had to face, as a little boy; face with bravery, when most people would wet themselves. If you have ever counselled an abused child, or ever suspected a child you know of having been abused, read this book. Child abuse is much uglier than even the media makes it out to be. Dave Pelzer lived through some of the most horrific abuse I've ever encountered, abuse that is almost unimaginable. Take heart, however. This book doesn't depress the reader, but, instead, gives the reader reason to rejoice! Dave's spirit is so strong that you finish this book in one sitting, feeling ready to take on the world! Thank you, Dave, for sharing your life with us and letting us know that anything is possible.
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