Social Issues: Child Abuse

TITLE & AUTHOR

Breath, Eyes, Memory

At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village in Haiti to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti.

Child Called "It". One Child's Courage To Survive

Dave Pelzer shares his unforgettable story of the many abuses he suffered at the hands of his alcoholic mother and the averted eyes of his neglectful father. Someone with no one to turn to, his dreams barely kept him alive.

Don’t Hurt Laurie!*

Laurie is an abused child who must choose between leaving her best friend or living a tortured life at home.

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey*

Tish chronicles her life in the journal she must keep for English class. When her abusive father returns home, Tish's entries are increasingly marked "Do Not Read" until she realizes silence may be dangerous.

Falling Leaves

Adeline Yen Mah, the youngest daughter of an affluent Chinese family, endured a childhood of appalling emotional abuse. Her struggles reveal the harsh realities of growing up female in 20^th century China.

Forged By Fire*

While his mother was serving a prison sentence for child neglect, Gerald lived with his aunt. Then, one day, his mother returns with her new husband and Angel, Gerald's little sister. As the children grow up, it becomes more and more apparent that Angel needs Gerald's protection from her father's sexual abuse. But who will protect Gerald?

Hanged Man

Laurel, whose father is dying, meets Jack in the hospital waiting room. She encounters Jack again, and their subsequent relationship brings out her own haunting. Her late father had for years sexually abused her, resulting in a terminated pregnancy and anorexia.

Hate You*

Nursing hatred for an abusive father that choked her and damaged her voice as a child, 17-year-old Alice writes songs she cannot sing, and tries to come to terms with her feelings.

Hero*

After years of abuse and neglect, Sean Parker is headed for trouble. Sent to do community service at a farm for elderly Mr. Hassler, Sean realizes that he can choose to take control of his life.

I Hadn't Meant To Tell You This*

Two girls, one a poor abused white girl, the other a middle class African American whose mother had left the family, build a friendship in spite of their cultural and racial differences.

Jemmy

Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family

In the long-awaited sequel to A Child Called "It", Dave Pelzer answers questions and reveals new adventures through the compelling story of his life as an adolescent. Now considered an F-Child (Foster Child), Dave suffers shame and experiences resentment from those who feel that all foster kids are trouble and unworthy of being loved just because they are not part of a "real" family. Tears, laughter, devastation and hope create the journey of this little lost boy who searches desperately for just one thing -- the love of a family.

Lottery Rose*

HUNT, I

A young boy victimized by child abuse overcomes his mistrust of the world.

Man Named Dave: A Story Of Triumph And Forgiveness

The third part in David Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy is an inspiring story of terror, recovery and hope experienced by the author throughout his life. He provides living proof that we can "stop the cycle" and lead fulfilling, rewarding lives.

Max The Mighty*

Grieving over the loss of his best friend, Max Kane befriends a lonely girl nicknamed "Worm", who needs a friend to protect her from her stepfather.

Nine Man Tree

Yoolee Tharp tries to protect his mother and his sister from his abusive father and from an unspeakable horror stalking the swamplands.

Only Alien On The Planet*

Ginny never thought she would fall for someone like Smitty, a child abuse victim. Eventually, Smitty lets Ginny into his troubled, hidden world and they begin the gradual process of healing - together.

Prince Of Tides

Staying Fat For Sarah Burnes

When smart, sarcastic Sarah Burns was three years old, her face and hands were badly burned in a mysterious accident. 15 years later, Sarah's horrific past finally catches up with her, and it becomes her friend Eric's mission to help her through the pain.

Telling*

They Cage The Animals At Night

Gripping autobiographical account of a child whose mother abandoned him at the age of eight.

Tribute To Another Dead Rock *

Grady Grennan is in Seattle for a concert tribute to his mother, a grunge-rock icon who died three years ago. He has been invited to speak at the tribute, but what is he supposed to say to thousands of adoring fans about a mother who abandoned her sons in favor of a musical career?

Up Country

Carl is smart and focused on getting away from his drunken mother and her "classy guys". He runs a stolen car-radio business, hoping to earn enough money for college, but then his mother is arrested for drunk driving, and he has to live with his country relatives up north.

Watcher*

A lonely and abused teenage girl creates fantasy lives in her journal about two boys she observes on the beach.

What Jamie Saw

When Jamie saw Van throw his little sister, his mother moved them to a small trailer in the woods where they could learn to trust one another, and the people around them.

When Kambia Elaine Flew In From Neptune

Shayla, growing up in the poorer section of Houston, is confused by the girl next door's fantastic stories and the need to keep them secret until she realizes Kambia Elaine is being hurt and needs help.

When She Was God*

Em spent the first 14 years of her life suffering from her father's alcoholic rages and her mother's silent depression, and the next three trapped with her abusive sister, Pamela. Then Pamela dies, and Em, alone at last, does her best to live as she imagines "normal" people do. Will she be able to manage now that she is on her own?

When She Was Good

The moving story of a young girl's courage and resilience in the face of family alcoholism, depression and abuse.

White Mercedes*

Chris is working the lighting at a party in Oxford when he meets Jenny. They meet again by chance a few days later and begin a relationship. Jenny has run away from an abusive home, and the separation of Chris's parents has forced him to grow up before he is ready. Jenny and Chris make bad decisions that lead to her death.