This book is very,very sad. I don't see how anyone could treat their child that way. I mean, it's ok if a parent just yells at their kid or tells them to take a time-out, but I don't see how anyone could beat up their child or starve them to death. No child deserves that, no matter what they do.I feel very,very sorry for that boy. If I was around at that time, I would so take him away from her. I would give him food to eat, too if he was my child. I don't know what was wrong with his mother. I think she was very, very mentally ill. I hope Dave Pelzer is living a better life now and if he has kids, I hope he is not doing the same thing to them. I don't know if there were any children who were abused as bad as he was. I hope he found all the happiness he deserves, and I hope he is living a happier life today.