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.