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Back in 2002 I participated in the discussion about the veracity of A Child Called It. It is, and has been for many years, one of the most popular titles at our school. And that is without me really promoting it in any way. I read the book and disliked it and found it difficult to believe. So I was eager to find evidence that it was not true. I spent a lot of time searching databases and the web in general for information about Pelzer and his books. The only evidence is that one article from the NYT Magazine. I have not done any research on the issue since 2002 but it doesn't sound like there is any new evidence. As librarians we should be the last ones to pronounce the book false based on one unconfirmed quote from one journalist. A journalist who, by the tone of his article, seemed predisposed to dislike and discredit Mr. Pelzer. It is a memoir based on childhood memories so there are bound to be inaccuracies and misperceptions. But given the amount of time that has passed since the first publication and the enduring popularity of the book I would think that any intentional lies would have been exposed by now. Pelzer's books are staying in the biography section of my collection. Tony -------------------------------------------------- Anthony Doyle, Teacher Librarian Livingston High School Livingston, CA tdoyle@muhsd.k12.ca.us What am I reading now? http://lhsblog.edublogs.org/whats-he-reading-now/ "When I read about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that American society has found one more way to destroy itself." (Isaac Asimov, from his autobiography I Asimov) The contents of this message are private and are intended for the recipients named in the To and CC fields. You may not forward this message without the expressed permission of the author. The contents of this message are the work of the author and do not represent the opinions or policies of the Merced Union High School District or Livingston High School. ________________________________________ From: School Library Media & Network Communications [LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Christina Paniccia [buffcat02@YAHOO.COM] Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 5:15 PM To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: [LM_NET] Hit: Child Called It Hello Everyone! I wanted to thank everyone individually for responding, but did one general response instead. It appears that most everyone said that Dave Pelzer's family, especially one of his brothers, disputed David's books around 2002, saying that the abuse was false. There also doesn't seem to be any evidence or documentation that could confirm whether the books are true and reliable. However, it was also suggested that if the abuse was false, California's Child Protective Services would have caught on and realized that Dave was lying. I also compared Dave's books to James Frey's book, "A Million Little Pieces". I had several responses suggesting that Dave never said that the books was false (even though his brother/family said that the books were false), where James said that he made up some of his book. Others even suggested that Dave's books were more similar to a situation that happened with Mommy Dearest. Others even suggested that they though that Dave was even on Oprah, discussing the debate of whether his books were true or false. Many suggested that I try to look in LM_NET about Dave's "Child Called It" for information because there was a debate around 2002 on LM_NET. I was even given these websites: http://etude.uoregon.edu/winter2006/craft/ http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/28/magazine/dysfunction-for-dollars.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/28/magazine/dysfunction-for-dollars.html?scp=1&sq=%22dave%20pelzer%22&st=cse One last thing: I was told by several people that the book seems to be always out, and it doesn't matter whether the books are real or fiction. Several librarians keep their Child Called It books in the Biography section, while others have the book in the general Non-Fiction. In my middle school library, it is in the Non-Fiction. I also can't keep it on the shelf. It is a very popular book because the students can identify with the abuse Dave endured. I was even asked to get the book "Fat Stupid Ugly: One Woman’s Courage to Surviveby Debrah Constance as told to J.I. Kleinberg, and Foreword by Penny Marshall. I haven't bought it yet, but will consider it.. Thanks to everyone again..You saved me a ton of time and aggrivation trying to search for information! Christina Christina Paniccia, Librarian Donovan Middle School Utica, NY 13502 buffcat02@yahoo.com "I really didn't realize the librarians were, you know, such a dangerous group. They are subversive. You think they're just sitting there at the desk, all quiet and everything. They're like plotting the revolution, man. I wouldn't mess with them." --Michael Moore -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. 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