"A Child Called It" suitable reading for a 13 y/o? Yes or No

[Tuesday Afternoon]

Why and/or Why not. Pros and Cons. Discussion now open.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Child_Called_%22It%22

Questions have been raised about Pelzer's works and their authenticity.<1><2> In a 2002 New York Times article, "Dysfunction for Dollars," Pelzer's younger brother, Stephen Pelzer, is quoted as saying, "David wasn't at all ostracized from the family; he was very close to me and Robert (the oldest brother). We were the Three Musketeers. David would make up lies, to receive some attention. But David had to be the center of attention. He was a hyper, over happy spoiled brat." Adding to the controversy, "his grandmother, Ruth Cole (born in 1910) remembers him as a 'disruptive kid, only interested in himself, with big ideas of imagination and comfort.'"<1>
Supporting Pelzer's story is schoolteacher Athena Konstan of Daly City, who wrote, "In my 31 years of teaching, David Pelzer was the most severely abused child I have ever known."<3> His brother Richard Pelzer, who wrote the book A Brother's Journey, argues that there was abuse in the family but disputes many of David's claims and questions his ethics and marketing tactics.
Pelzer's website claims the book was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize; however, according to a Guardian profile, it was merely submitted to the prize board, a process open to any work of literature.<4> It can therefore be considered a submission but not a nominee.

[Mojambo]

1. Hell, I was 29 and it ripped me to pieces. n/t

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

2. seventh graders ask for the book a lot

It gets assigned to a lot of middle school classes and the kids ask for it a lot at my library branch.

[Z_I_Peevey]

3. It would pose no challenge to a 13-year-old in either

vocabulary or theme, and it's certainly filled with many ghost-story-like thrills and chills, as the reader careens through empathy for poor Dave and horror at evil Mother. Junior High kids love this book, with all the melodrama and eventual bootstrap pulling.

It's an over-the-top confessional memoir that I don't find credible, but then I'm not Dave's target market.

[LeftinOH]

4. Yes. Furthermore, the writing style is very simple (written by an adult, but from a child's

perspective). A young person reading it will probably gain a greater appreciation of his/her own parents.

[woo me with science]

5. Buy them some Twain or L'Engle or Blume instead.

It's abuse porn. You might as well sit them in front of Maury or Jerry Springer.