The Runaway Summary and Analysis

David Pelzer is a child taken into the foster care system at age twelve, though he had spent years being tortured and tormented by his mother. David is one of five sons and there's no real indication why he was singled out for his mother's attention. David's father is present during his early years, though he wants peace in his household at any cost—even if it means David is being beaten and tormented.

The first chapter begins when David is nine years old, in 1970. David describes the misery of his life in some detail and says he is "Mother's prisoner". David sleeps on an old army cot without sufficient blankets. He lives for the hours he can be away from home at school, where he at least has the occasional opportunity to steal food. David says that...