The Lost Boy

First Quarter Reading Book Review

The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer. Health Communications, Inc., 1997. Genre: Autobiography

The Lost Boy, Dave Pelzer’s sequel to A Child Called “It”, is about Dave who is in foster care and the struggles he goes through. The story takes place in San Francisco, California area, mainly in Daly City.

John Bradshaw states, “The Lost Boy stands as the premier book on the unique love and dedication that social services and foster families provide for our children in peril. Dave Pelzer is certainly a living testament of resilience, personal responsibility and the triumph of the human spirit.”

The Lost Boy explains what Dave Pelzer goes through in foster care, and the rollercoaster ride his like takes. Dave tells about his different foster homes and searching for love. Dave is around age 12 through 18 during this book. The Lost Boy is the sequel to A Child Called “It”. Both books talk about his life and his experiences. What Dave goes through in The Lost Boy doesn’t seem half as bad as what his mother puts him through in A Child Called “It”. In The Lost Boy, no one hurts David to the extent that his mother did. This book discusses his life in foster care and how sometimes it is the best thing for some people.

“I could feel my Mother’s radar drill through me. I felt myself leaning to the right, a surge of fear creeping up my back. I took another whiff of Ms. Gold’s perfume.

I held my breath for a fleeting second, then before my courage disappeared I blurted out, “You sir! I want to live with you! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to tell! I didn’t mean to cause any trouble!” (72)

I really enjoyed The Lost Boy probably because I read A Child Called ‘It” before, and I found I couldn’t put the book down. I would like to read more of Dave’s books just to see what happens in the end for Dave. From The Lost Boy I realized I have a really good life. I have two parents, who are still together, and I am surrounded by love of friends and family. It helped me understand that I shouldn’t get upset if I can’t do something or I have to do this or that. Some people don’t even get to see their parents or they are abused by their parents.

Precious and Priceless

I believe the most important things in life are those without a price tag on them. Could you put a price tag on a moment that you cherish? Maybe if our “priceless” moments could be bought, would they be as important to us? In our society today, we stereotype people on a regular basis, mainly on what extravagant items they own. Now as gas prices hit sky rocketing marks, and our economy has took a turn for the worse, do we need the most “in” thing to be accepted by society?

Our car pulls into the parking lot right in front of the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel where a valet comes out to greet us. Long last, we are here at Hampton Beach for our week long family vacation. As soon as the car door opens, you can smell the salt water and hear the sound of the gulls in the distance. We start to unload the car, grabbing our shovels and pails and head right across the path to the beach, leaving my parents to deal with the luggage and checking in at the hotel.

Every summer we usually go to the beach and the weatherman had predicted this week to reach between 90 to 95 degrees with constant sun. This vacation is really special as it is my 13th birthday on Tuesday. My family is taking me out for a birthday dinner at Browns Lobster House. Once we dine on lobster we are planning to go the local ice cream shop where I will indulge in a large vanilla soft serve cone covered in chocolate sprinkles.

The balance of the week I will spend at the beach where I’m working on my tan and playing in the water. My brothers and I built a large sand castle only to see it wash away as the tide came in later that day. In the early morning, I collected a few sea shells which washed upon the shore during the night. It was so great to feel the morning breeze and the sand through my toes as we walked along the shore, but by 9:00 a.m. the breeze was gone and the sun shone brightly.

On the last day of our trip, we saw fireworks which lit up the sky as we sat on the beach for the final evening of our vacation. It was really great to relax and spend time with my family. There were no video games or television this week, just quality time with my brothers and my parents. It was a very memorable trip and cannot wait for next year and our return trip back to make new memories.

I head down the stairs, pass through the kitchen, through the garage, and away I go. I jump on my new 5-speed bike, but not before I put on the metallic gold helmet, a present from my grandmother. The helmet shines in the sun as the rays of sun reflect upon it, as I fly down the hill going faster than the cars.

The bike was designed for quick speed with its sleek design, and wide tires for riding through any type of terrain. Many people comment on the lavender color of my bike and how beautiful it is. I polish it up about every month during the spring and summer. I even wipe down the tires with a special polish that keeps the wheels clean and shiny.

Exercise today is so important and my bike provides this. My leg muscles have gotten much stronger and it helps to work off those extra calories. Sometimes getting up the hill can be tough, but it provides great satisfaction when I reach the top.

The freedom a bike gives me is great! I am able to get around, do things, and see things. I love not having to ask for a ride everywhere I want to go. Sometimes just cruising up to The Commons and doing a little shopping is a real treat. Once I rode down to McCray’s Farm and treated myself to some ice cream on a hot summer day. I find myself lying in bed at night planning my next venture. The one drawback I have in riding my back year-round is during the periods we have snow or icy weather. It dampens my spirit when I have to stay inside and wait for the good weather to return. This is one of my more costly items and I try to keep it in the best condition I can.

Looking at my financial and priceless moments, I realize that both of my items mean a lot to me. Both my trip to the beach as well as my bike give me a great deal of enjoyment. Whether it is enjoying a vacation or my next trip out with my bike, they give me a lot of pleasure and relaxation. I look forward to both and cherish the memories they have provided to me.

I realize that each cost money to enjoy. If I had to make a choice, I would probably give up my bike before a family trip to the beach. The moments that my trip gives me I wouldn’t trade for all the money in the world. I realized after writing this essay, I found the real “value” of an item is the value that pertains to you.