A Child Called It

1. A Child Called It

2. Dave Pelzer • Born in Daly City, California • Endured 12 years of child abuse by his mother • Later joined the Air Force

3. Protagonist • The protagonist of the story would be Dave Pelzer because of everything he made it through including severe, life threatening abuse everyday.

4. Antagonist • The antagonist of the story is Dave’s mother who was extremely abusive and had no care for her children’s safety or well being.

5. Favorite Character • My favorite character is Dave because he made it through all of the abuse and had the courage to write about it when it was all over

6. Least Favorite Character • The character that I least liked was obviously Dave’s mom because of all the horrible things that she did to her children.

7. Rising Action • Dave’s mom starts to become more abusive and starts drinking a lot of alcohol. She starts inflicting harsher punishment on Dave

8. Exposition • The exposition in A Child Called It is when Dave tells about how his mom used to be loving and caring until she changed.

9. Climax • The story reaches its climax when Dave realizes that his mom doesn’t care if he lives or dies and that she doesn’t view him as her son but as an object to take out her anger on

10. Falling Action • The falling action occurs when nurses and teachers at Dave’s school start to notice all of his bruises aren’t from accidents.

11. Resolution • People become aware of Dave’s situation and he is put in a foster home away from his mother

12. Setting • The setting of Dave’s story is the 60’s and early 70’s. Most of the story takes place in his home or at his school.

13. 3 Themes • Hate: His moms hatred made her do horrible things to Dave • Child Abuse: Dave suffered many forms of child abuse • Will to Live: Dave said his mom could never take away his will to live

14. Rating • On a scale of one to ten I would rate this book a ten because it makes people aware of how common child abuse is and what can be done about it.

15. Social Issue: Child Abuse • Statistics-Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse.   More than three out of five are under the age of 4.-A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. -30% of abused children will later abuse their own children

16. Assistant principal accused of child abuse WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Charges have been filed against a West Valley elementary school principal accused of child abuse. Charging documents accuse Rosselis Cabanillas of slapping a student and threatening a teacher on January 12th.  Ben Horsley, a spokesperson for Granite School District, tells ABC 4 that another teacher witnessed the incident, but was ordered by Cabanillas not to report it. The teacher later reported the abuse to the Granite School District; they turned it over to police. The assistant principal is charged with misdemeanor child abuse and tampering a witness.  She has been placed on paid administrative leave by the school district.

17. Nev. couple blame Internet for child neglect A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect. The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

18. Poem on Child Abuse Safe Another day and night aloneThis broken house is not my homeI'm in danger in this placeFour years I've learned to understandI tremble when you raise your handThere is hatred in your faceI love you, but I'd leave youIf I knew just where to goBut I am far too small to ever tryAnd make it on my own

19. Poem on Child Abuse I could be sitting at home,Doing nothing at all,My brother will come in with an angry look,I run to hide,I am crying on the inside,I know what he's going to do,He found me and guess what he did,He kicked me,He punched me,He picked me up and threw me against the wall,My parents don't know,I am too scared to tell,Cause He will kill me,He told me he will,But now I am older,And he is gone,I always cry,Thinking about what happened,Gives me pain on the inside

20. Identifying Child Abuse • Look for physical signs such as: cuts, bruises, burns, or broken bones • Is the child considerably under weight? • The child may be shy, distrusting, or make excessive efforts to please adults.

21. Why is it Important to be Aware of Child Abuse? • Many children that are abused later abuse their own children, creating a vicious cycle • Child abuse can lead to death • It may also cause depression and feelings of worthlessness

22. What Can Be Done About It? • Stand up to courts who send abused children back to their abusive parents by writing letters or calling local congressman • If you have reasonable suspicion someone is being abused, then contact authorities • Donate money, clothes, and other items to foster homes • Adopt abused children