As the book begins, David Pelzer is a typical young boy with a care free life and loving family. As he grows older, he becomes a "bad boy." David's rebellious acts combined with his mother's alcohol addiction introduce person vs. person conflict to his daily life. David sees his fight for survival as a game which he refuses to lose. His persistency and mother's abuse are an ongoing conflict throughout the story. He finds his punishments progressing from embarrassing to life threatening. He endures the corner, mirror, and soap treatment to start. If this wasn't enough, David's mother then burns and stabs him. She kicks him out of the family and locks him in the bathroom with deadly chemicals. David suffers great losses of dignity, freedom, relationships, and worst of all, his identity. He becomes an "it."
Thanks to a substitute teacher, David's daily battle for life are brought to the attentioin of the school. Fights continue at home and punishments don't reside. Will the school do anyting to save the life of this young boy? Will he even survive that long?
Thanks to a substitute teacher, David's daily battle for life are brought to the attentioin of the school. Fights continue at home and punishments don't reside. Will the school do anyting to save the life of this young boy? Will he even survive that long?