Characters and Key Figures
This person is the author and the primary subject of abuse in this memoir
Because it is a true story written by the person who experienced it, the book falls under this literary genre.
What is a memoir?
Throughout the darkest moments of the book, Dave holds onto this powerful feeling, believing he will eventually be saved.
What is hope?
On March 5, 1973, Dave was finally removed from his home by this group of local authorities.
Who are the police (or Child Secret Services)?
A Child Called "It" is the first book in a series. The second book is titled "The Lost..." what?
What is "Boy"?
This is the job of Dave’s father, a job he often used as an excuse to spend time away from the house.
What is a firefighter?
The narrative is told from this point of view, using pronouns like "I" and "me."
What is First-Person point of view?
Despite the severe isolation, Dave finds a temporary sense of safety and normalcy when he is at this location.
What is school?
After being removed from his parents' custody, Dave was placed into this system.
What is the foster care system?
As an adult Dave Pelzer travels the country working as this type of talking job?
What is a motivational speaker?
This teacher played a crucial role in finally reporting Dave's situation to the authorities.
Who is Mr. Ziegler?
The primary setting for the book is Daly City which is in this U.S. state.
What is California?
Dave frequently views his situation as a battle of this, determined not to let his spirit be broken by his circumstances.
What is willpower?
Dave was this old when he was finally rescued by the authorities.
What is 12 years old?
When Dave was older he joined this branch of the United States military.
What is the Air Force?
Dave was the middle child of five boys. This was the name of his eldest brother.
Who is Ron?
The book’s subtitle is "One Child's Courage to..." do this.
What is "Survive"?
A major theme of the book is how the mother attempts to strip Dave of this—treating him as an "It" rather than a human being.
What is his identity?
This is the name of the police officer who drove Dave away from the school to a safe place on the day of his rescue.
Who is Officer Smith?
Dave ended his memoir book seris with a third book titled "A Man Named..." what?
What is "Dave"?
This school official, along with the school nurse and teachers, helped coordinate the intervention that saved Dave.
Who is the principal?
The book starts with Dave's rescue, and then jumps back in time to tell the story from the beginning. This is known as this.
What is a flashback?
Dave often had to use immense creativity and quick thinking to obtain this basic human necessity in order to stay alive.
What is food?
When Dave is finally safe in the police car, he realizes he is no longer an "It," but rather a...
What is a person?
The biggest message of Dave Pelzer’s life work and his books is to raise awareness and prevention for this specific social issue in parenting?
What is child abuse?