Customer Reviews
A SAD BUT GREAT BOOK BUT I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN 
2008-02-16
This was such a sad book but it was well written and made you think about the system. This poor kid was placed in several orphanages because his mom was too sick to care for him and he was waiting for her to come back. The fact that this happened to the author made this such an inspiring book. I read this till the wee hours of the night because I was so inspired by it with the lights on. I couldn't put it down. I felt sorry for the poor kid. Another great read is a child called it. Both are fantastic.
Left a major impact on me... 2008-02-13
I read this book when I was in grammar school many years ago and I still remember the emotions I felt back then. This is a sad, but powerful book about one boy's trials and tribulations in the orphanage system. Riveting.
Half-truths? 
2007-09-21
I liked the book, but I have internal warning lights going off as to the complete veracity of the story.
While I don't doubt that many of the abusive and neglectful things that happened to Burch did, in fact, happen to him, I can't help but have this feeling that there is some embellishment going on when it comes to some of the abuse. Sometimes the stories of cruelty seem so far-fetched, that they border on implausible (given all the characters involved in any one incident). There are also stories of being rescued from abuse that seem a little fishy.
Even more implausible however, is the philosophical wisdom of some of the children involved...like Burch's sickly brother, Jerome, or his Institution friend, Mark. These pre-teens seem to be able to impart wisdom and knowledge an a scale that most adults have a hard time embracing, even after a lifetime of existence, let alone when they were children.
I'd be willing to bet that the Author had to embellish a little in order to create some of the dialog (dialog dominates much of this book). He would have to! Who amongst us at middle-age can recall, IN DETAIL, lengthy conversations that they had when they were eight years old? But what concerns me more than needing to embellish the dialog, is this feeling I had that there are times when "fact" goes more in to the "fantasy" realm, for the sake of dramatic license. It often seems like certain scenarios have all the timing and drama of a Hollywood screenplay, as opposed to "ringing true to life".
I don't doubt that what Mr. Burch experienced as a child was indeed traumatizing and terrifying. And for that alone, it's a worthwhile read. I just have my doubts as to how much is "autobiographical" and how much is "novel" writing. How can much of what was supposedly said between Mark , Jerome and Jennings be proven anyway? Mark dies in his youth, and Jerome not very long after him (relatively speaking).
This is only an impression I'm making about this book however, as I have no proof one way or the other that there is embellishment going on. I'm just stating a gut-feeling I personally have which is born solely out of life-experience, and that's all.
But if there was embellishment for dramatic effect, I would have preferred that the Author was honest about it. And if there was none, my sincerest apologies for doubting him.
You read it and you decide. :-)
Surviving in life. 2007-07-12
This story of a little boy's surviving hardships is so sad; yet he keeps going by letting go of hatered for those who hurt him, and looking forward to a better future.
Great book 2007-06-09
This is my favorite book. I have read this book over the years no less than eight times......that is why I had to get a new one :-)
I highly recommend this book especially if you are like me and only like to read non-fiction.
Wonderful book 2008-05-31
I could not put this book down! It made my cry a couple of times but it does have a happy ending.
I've read it over ten times 2008-05-20
Since I first read this book over 15 years ago I've read the book over 10 times. I read it three times the first year. I felt it was an amazing story, very touching, and able to tug at me each time I read it. The strength and courage that the author had was amazing.
Extremely sad!!!!!!! 
2008-04-28
It really sucks when you have to struggle and this poor woman was sick and couln't help what she had to do. But they way children are treated in orphanages and foster homes are outrageous. People wake up these children just need love and compassion.
Heart-wrenching is an understatement. 2008-04-22
I just finished this book--what an emotional ride. I was worried it was a story about parents who actually put their child in a cage. But it is not about parents abusing children; more about a child's survival, love, and connection, all while living in a harsh and deadening world.
If you are going to read this book, be ready for it to open your heart, bring about deep-seated emotions, and be impossible to put down.
A Must Read For Everyone 2008-04-07
I could not put this book down once I started reading it. From page one it drew me in and took a hold of me in this young mans life and his family's ordeals. I never have felt more grateful for my own upbringing since having lived through Jennings eyes. He only had his "doggy" and that was his only escape from the cruel world around him. After I was done reading the book I was so offended by orphanages and the way the treated children I wanted to find out where he was at, who were the nuns who hurt him, I was angry and really wanted revenge for him. I think we all need to open our eyes to the system and help these children out and make sure this abuse does not happen these children belong to all of us and do not deserve this, they all deserve a better place with some family. Jennings deserved a home with a real doggy from the start and I ached for him.
