Independent Novels - Final Project

1. Give the author's name and a brief outline of his or her biography. Please use your own words in order to avoid plagiarism.
Dave Pelzer, lived in Daly City, California. As a child he was beat and starved. Luckily he has survived and wrote a story about his life in a "madhouse", also he is now recognized as The Outstanding Young People Award.

2. Name and describe the main character(s). Are they static or dynamic? What motivates them? (A static character does not change, a dynamic character changes as a result of his or her experiences)
The main characters name is Dave Pelzer, he is a dynamic character because he got beat and changed his perspective on life to never give up.
3. What is the novel's setting? Why, in your opinion, did the author choose this setting for this novel?
The novel setting was the basement/garage. I think the author pick this setting for the novel because its where the author spent most is time. He would sit in the basement/garage when he was told too or to sleep.

4-. Describe some of the main events. Where in your novel does the climax take place?
Some of the main events in the novel were when the mother tried to make 'the boy' eat pooh, or when she tried to starve him for two weeks. The climax in the story, one was the first chapter because it talks about how the boy got away and then the rest of the story talks about how it lead up to that.


1. What are the scenes, incidents or moments which you remember most vividly?
The most vivid moment in the story for me is when the mother stabs 'the boy' by accident.
2. Can you identify any important theme or idea with which the novel deals? Do the problems or issues get resolved or are they simply explored?
I find that the story never really says weather or not the mothers still is the way she is. But the problem with 'the boy' getting abused defiantly got solved.
3. Did you learn anything from the story that you did not know before? Explain (this could be facts or simply seeing something from a different perspective?)
i learned that you should never give up and never give in. One example from the story would be when the mother was bullying 'the boy' and made sure not to cry because if he did it gave her the satisfaction.
4. Does the novel interest you, irritate you or both? Explain.
This story really did interest me. The more I read, it made it harder to put down. I found this story interesting because is wasn't like any story I read before, I usually read about people falling in love. This book was the first book I read that was a true story, which made it more interesting know that this isn't just something being made up.


5. If you could be any character in the novel, who would you be? Why that character?
If I could be one character in the novel I would the nurse. I would be the nurse because she is the reason Dave isn't dead today.
6. Would you like to read more books from the same author? Why?
I would love to read another story from this author because all the summary's I've read about his other stories seem touching.
7. Explain why the novel did or did not end the way you had hoped it would.
The story ended the way I hoped, but I also knew what was going to happen at the end because the end was also the beginning chapter.
8. Can you imagine yourself reading the novel again in 10 years? Would you suggest it to a friend? Explain.
Yes, I could see myself reading this story again in the future. Also I would suggest this story to a friend because I would think would have the opinion on the book as I did.