Family

Here's what I wrote in 2008 about this read: "Pelzer's second book, continuning his autobiography, describes his years in the foster system. More depressing and disturbing occurrences in his life, and yet more hopeful as he begins to find friendship and some bits of love." ( )

Wow, what an amazing young man with such determination. I felt so bad for him at times. I don't understand why we, as humans, always strive for our parents love and acceptance no matter what THEY are like. I am impressed at how Dave turned himself around and finally accepted love from some adults in his life.
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3.5 stars

This continues Dave Pelzer’s memoirs after “A Child Called ‘It’”. At 12(?) years old, he is finally rescued from his abusive home life (particularly his mother) by a police officer and placed in a foster home. Until he turns 18, he goes through a number of foster homes, though except for the first one, through no fault of his own. None of his foster homes were bad to him.

This was good. The first chapter did back up just a little bit to give the reader a taste of what he’d had to endure previous to being removed from his biological family’s “care”, before moving on to follow him until he no longer needed to be taken care of via foster homes. He has all good things to say about foster care and the love and support he received after coming out of his previously abusive life. He talks more about this in an Afterword, as well as adding notes from one of his foster mothers, a teacher, and other people who helped him during this stage of his life. ( )

Learned so much from the INSIDE of the foster care business. I wonder how much has changed? What on earth is the Maximum that one home can take. Seemed dangerous at times. But each situation interesting. Amazing that Dave can remember all these details. Wonderful success story. I can't understand why his father kept such a distance between them. First book "A Child Called 'It'" and this follow up are well worth reading. ( )