After Today's Reading, Describe What You Think Will Happen Next. What Details Lead You to Believe This?

After today's reading, I am led to the conclusion that even though Dave Pelzer has all odds against him, he will continue to make an effort and survive whatever kind of circumstances his mother throws his way. If he has had the adaptability and stubbornness to make it this far without letting her win, Dave will not stop there. "A Child Called It" allows me to believe this because of the epilogue and how it accurately describes Pelzer's later life with his own kids. The next books in his trilogy also explain how he turned his life around and made all these past life experiences into lessons and mistakes that he can only learn from. He is now fully aware of all the evil in the world and can help people overcome these difficulties that they endure through no fault of their own. I also think that Dave will have a journey around foster care that still riddles him with similarities, such as not having a real family or friends.

How Do You Feel at the End of the Reading Today? What About the Plot, Setting, and/or Characters Creates that Mood?

At the end of reading today, I feel remorse for the type of life young Dave Pelzer is destined to encounter after his mother and father get a divorce. In "A Child Called It," Dave is forced into solitude and sleeps on a bed of coats in the cold garage. He completes the maximum amount of chores possible and has repercussions if he does not do them correctly in the time limit allowed. The book focuses on Pelzer's inner thoughts and the types of beatings and starvation he had to go through in order to stay alive. By the descriptions he includes and the way Dave manages to keep up his faith and hope to survive, when in fact no one is there to help him, manages to demonstrate the of always dreaming for a better future and doing whatever you must to get there. The characters, such as his siblings and parents, add onto the impact of human nature and how alcohol and certain relationships can push you to your breaking point.

What is the Author's Message? Which Story Events Helped You to Figure This Out?

The author's message that is made clear throughout "A Child Called It" is the courage to survive and the ability to get through anything that gets in the way of complete freedom. Once David's mom begins to physically and mentally abuse him in unjust ways, he knows that he has to continue to live anyway he can. He purposely eats the little amount of food as fast as he can, incase his mother was ever evil enough to trick him and take it away. David also repeatedly steals whatever necessities out of the garbage can that can be used to help him. Another tactic he uses is to never tell anyone what is going on at home, especially at school, so no one will be suspicious and he will not have to receive even harsher punishments for being a bad boy. The events that led me to figure all of this out was the novel being nonfiction and written from the author's point of view, who just so happens to be David Pelzer. Never once did the young child give up and he eventually found a way out and ultimately created a better life for himself.

What are the Three Big Questions You have at this Time?

After just beginning to read "A Child Called It," a nonfiction book written by Dave Pelzer, I have major questions about what motives are behind a mother physically abusing her own son. The first chapter describes, in detail, what life was like when their family was happy and prospering in the California area. My first question would have to be what major event happened that made the dynamic of the household so bitter for one child, when the mother used to care so much? Next, it is shown that the youngest of the three sons was the only one that got abused and treated so harshly. Why would the mother only single out one for being a 'bad boy' and the brothers not try to help the situation? Finally, the mother preformed many acts of punishments that are cruel and unusual. She forces Dave to live without food and complete specific chores in an amount of time. How would someone be able to come up with these ideas to hurt another person, one that they even gave birth to? I hope that by reading further and becoming more invested in the book, I will figure out the answers.

Describe What You Like or Don't Like About Your Book so Far.

Even though "Pulled Under" grabbed my attention when I read the back cover, it refused to live up to my expectations. The story about a summer romance that will not last is cliché and there is not enough detail to make the weak storyline any better. Although the characters posses interesting traits and grow as the novel continues, the ideas are not well organized and somewhat boring. What I did, however, like about the book was the way the paragraphs are split into different months so we know exactly how much time the relationship between Izzy and Ben has left. I also enjoyed reading about the differences in culture in Florida, considering they have other words to describe the same, normal items to us.

If You Could be a Character in the Book, Who Would You Choose and Why?

If I had the opportunity to become a character in "Pulled Under" by Michelle Dalton, I would without a doubt choose Izzy. By living in Pearl Beach, Florida, she can feel as if it is summer all the time for her. Not only would the weather be a major plus, but the differences in activities that are offered would encourage me to be her. Izzy is an only child, and although that may seem like it gets lonely at times, her parents are well involved in her life and they frequently make an effort to hang out and play games with one another on a weekly basis. Not only that, but the family shares a love of surfing, because Izzy's dad taught her, and school, because the parents are both teachers at the local high school. Next, she has the two best friends that always support her and has the chance to work with new people all the time because it is a tourist cite, and that allows many new experiences, such as with Ben, to be made.

How Would You Solve the Problem in this Book?

The major conflict and problem in "Pulled Under" by Michelle Dalton, is the fact that all good things must come to an end. Izzy and Ben fall desperately head over heels and it is with that when the summer comes to an end, they are going to be separated. Ben will go back to Wisconsin with his divorced parents and Izzy will still in Pearl Beach, marveling over the loss of her first boyfriend. I would solve the problem in this book by making a long distance relationship work. Although it would ultimately difficult, the feelings that they now share for each other are too strong to ignore. There are ways they could make frequent trips and phone calls to stay in contact. It is better to try and have it not work than to never try. If anything, he could continue to live with his uncle in Florida and work at Parks and Recreation.