Helpful Score: 15
I found this very different from "A Child Called It" which included cruel, violent and horrific abuse at the whim of an unstable parent. Jennings' story is more sad than anything. There is some physical abuse though mostly from nuns and caretakers at the children's homes. Jennings' mother loved him and his brothers. His mother tried unsuccessfully to keep her family together but she kept falling apart. Jennings makes and then loses connections with people repeatedly which leaves you feeling disappointed over and over again. The description above indicates that his mother never returns which is not accurate. He leaves and returns to his family several times. Each time his family has disintegrated a bit more. I found this to be a quick read and I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 11
This book is a tear jerker. It is the true sory of a little boy at the age of eight who is put into the system. It documents his heartbreak, pain, and finally his triumph. Not to be missed.
I read this way back in highschool, and have remembered it all of these 20 years, very touching and a must read!
Helpful Score: 4
This is 99% from the perspective of a single 11-year-old, which doesn't give a good insight into what the world of orphanages was really like. Also, although it says it is "a story of a child who learned to survive" we don't really see any lessons from what the boy went through. The book stops abruptly and left me wanting more information about what happened to him.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book but it made me cry over and over. Well written coming from a childs point of view usually don't like them but Jennings is an amazing writer. I have taken an abused boy six years ago so he would not go into foster care so he could avoid such acts of unkindness.. This story is very graphic to me. I did get lost in how old he was from time to time. What his poor mother seem to go through was amazing to me. Jennings is deffinatly a strong person to have endured what he did. I would read this again. A must read for readers of abuse and or neglect...Enjoy
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book as part of a teacher's reading circle. It is such an amazing and inspiring story of one child's resilience to overcome an incredibly difficult childhood. I wasn't able to put it down!
Helpful Score: 2
This is a very tender story of a little boy who overcame the cruelty of some evil hearted adutls.
Helpful Score: 2
Wow. Just finished the book.. could barely put it down. Did alot of crying. Very powerful book.
Helpful Score: 1
A bit heartbreaking but a great book. Inspirational.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book in two days. I cried afterward. It is a great book, but so sad.
Helpful Score: 1
Those are the words of Jennings Michael Burch, who at the age of eight painfully concluded love only meant loss. His lonely odyssey began one rainly day in Brooklyn when his mother, too sick to care for him, left him in at an orphanage, saying only "I'll be back".........
Helpful Score: 1
A really sad, heartfelt story that will make you cry and ache for all those who have been through so much in their young lives.
Helpful Score: 1
So inspirational and sooo sad
Helpful Score: 1
This is a heart wretching story about a small boy with the strength of a man. I wanted to just hold him close to my heart, protect and care for him. I am glad his story was told to make us all aware of the things that happen "on the other side of town".
Helpful Score: 1
This is an incredible true story. Be forewarned, I cried often when I read this book! This is so well written that you get the feeling you are right there with him. I give this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
An quick and easy read, very much like "A Child Called It."
If this book does not make you cry you are made of stone!! It was well written and is also a book you can read more than once.
Heart breaking book! I wanted to hurt the people who this child came in contact with. My heart ached for this child.
I have to say I enjoyed the unique way this author has written this book. The author shares his recollection of his childhood and what it was like for him growing up. In his writing, he seems to begin to live it...the memories of his horrific experiences and the mere brief glimpses of happiness. He shares what he did to cope. It felt like I was watching on. I cried. Need I say more? I found this to be a great read for me and I had a difficult time setting it down.
the book was really good sad but good the title makes you think it's him caged but it's the stuffed animals
