From Library Journal
Following A Child Called It (Health Communications, 1995), which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and appears frequently on high school reading lists, this is the second in a planned trilogy from motivational author and speaker Pelzer. Here he tells his story from the time he left his abusive mother and alcoholic father, through his experiences in five foster homes and juvenile detention, and how he eventually made it into the Air Force. He was a defiant, rebellious boy who, despite his background and personality, managed to endear himself to many guardians, social workers, and teachers. Pelzer writes in an honest, sometimes rambling, style; he is never bitter, and his story will find many sympathetic readers. However, he leaves many questions unanswered (which may appear in the third book), dealing with his adult-life relationships, his son, the mother of that child, and the ways he turned his life around. This is sure to be popular among students and readers who await a sequel to A Child Called It. Well recommended.?Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
A retired Air Force crewmember, Dave played a major role in Operations Just cause, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was selected for the unique task of midair refueling of the then highly secretive SR-71 Blackbird and F0117 Stealth Fighter. While serving in the Air Force, Dave worked in juvenile hall and other programs involving "'youth at risk"' throughout California. Dave's exceptional accomplishments include personal commendations from former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. While maintaining a rigorous, active-duty flight schedule, Dave was the recipient of the 1990 J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award, making him the California Volunteer of the Year. In 1993 Dave was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA), joining a distinguished group of alumni that includes Chuck Yeager, Christopher Reeve, Anne Bancroft, John F. Kennedy, Orson Welles and Walt Disney. In 1994 Dave was the only American to be selected as one of The Outstanding Young Persons of the Wo
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from Chapter One Winter 1970, Daly City, California and begin to tighten my upper body so that when Mother strikes I can be ready. Suddenly she lets go of my ear and opens the front door. "Get out!" she screeches. "Get out of my house! I donÆt like you! I donÆt want you! I never loved you! Get the hell out of my house!" I freeze. IÆm not sure of this game. My brain begins to spin with all the options of what MotherÆs real intentions may be. To survive, I have to think ahead. Father steps in front of me. "No!" he cries out. "ThatÆs enough. Stop it, Roerva. Stop the whole thing. Just let The Boy be.ö Mother now steps between Father and me. "No?" Mother begins in a sarcastic voice. "How many times have you told me that about The Boy? The Boy this, The Boy that. The Boy, The Boy, The Boy. How many times, Stephen?" She reaches out, touching FatherÆs arm as if pleading with him; as if their lives would be so much better if I no longer lived with themand#151if I no longer existed. Inside my head my brain screams, Oh my God! Now I know! Without thinking Father cuts her off "No," he states in a low voice. "This," he says, spreading his hands, "this is wrong." I can tell by his trailing voice that Father has lost his steam. He appears to be on the verge of tears. He looks at me and shakes his head before looking at Mother. "Where will he live? WhoÆs going to take care of...?" "Stephen, donÆt you get it? DonÆt you understand? I don æt give a damn what happens to him. I don æt give a damn about The Boy. Suddenly, the front door flies open. Mother smiles as she holds the doorknob. "Okay. All right. IÆll leave it up to The Boy." She bends down, just inches in front of my face. MotherÆs breath reeks of booze. Her eyes are ice cold and full of pure hatred. I wish I could turn away. I wish I were back in the garage. In a slow, raspy voice, Mother says, "lf you think I treat you so badly, you can leave.ö I snap out of my protective mold and takke a chance by looking at Father. He misses my glance as he sips another drink. My mind begins to tumble. I donÆt understand the purpose of her new game. Suddenly I realize that this is no game. It takes a few seconds for me to understand that this is my chanceand#151my chance to escape. IÆve wanted to run away for years, but some invisible fear kept me from doing it. But I tell myself that this is too easy. I so badly want to move my legs, but they remain rigid. "Well?" Mother screams into my ear "itÆs your choice." Time seems to stand still. As I stare down at the carpet, I can hear Mother begin to hiss. "He wonÆt leave. The Boy will never leave. It hasnæt the guts to go. I can feel the inside of my body begin to shake. For a moment I close my eyes, wishing myself away. In my mind I can see myself walking through the door. I smile inside. I so badly want to leave. The more I envision myself walking through the door, the more I begin to feel a warmth spread thr
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