Hello all. I'm looking for a YA book I read a long time ago and would like to read again as I can't recall the ending (or even the title). I'm fairly certain the boy's name is David and he is about seven. I remember distinctly that he won a rose bush in as a prize in some competition. It is a sad looking bush, but he is proud of it, because it is the only thing he has that is his. I think he is an orphan, because I remember he was living with nuns for a while and was sent to a foster home where he was abused and as a result his arm was broken. However, it could be that his birth family abused him and so he was removed and placed in foster care.

I'm sorry I can't remember more details. I read this book about 10 years ago, and don't think I was even able to finish it. Any help would be appreciated. :)

The only one I can think of is A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer. There is a  second called The Lost Boy and a third A Man Named Dave. I believe there are other books about his life in an abusive home and in foster care as well.

I've seen that book and i really don't think that is the one i read. Thank you anyway. :)

Well everything you just described was in that book.

Really? The rosebush and the nuns? Well, I'll look at it again just in case.  Thank you.

The book you're looking for is The Lottery Rose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lottery_Rose

A Child Called It and the rest of the trilogy are good if heart-rending, but there was no rose bush. I met Dave Pelzer at a book conference not long after A Child Called It came out.  Pelzer was very down-to-earth and is far from the impression people usually ascribe to the abused.He's a nice guy and gave my mom a hug.

Another book in this style is "They Cage the Animals at Night"....  equally depressing.... but good...

Ok, I'll check that out. Thank you. :)