When a Child Kills

by Paul Mones

An exploration of the world of parracide presents the stories of eight children accused of killing their parents, discussing the facts in their cases and the outcome of their trials. Reprint.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Psychology

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

True crime is pretty much the only nonfiction I read straight through. Since I was working with abused children at the time, I could understand these children who kill (usually their parents). The book talks about how these children are often put in jail for murder, because they often kill when the parent is asleep or otherwise premeditate the murder--but the author puts into perspective the life of the abused child who is not given many options for escape from the abuser--most people think the child can just run away and they don't have to murder the parent, but when you have been raised in an oppressive household and you don't have anyplace to run to (either no family that would understand, or a limited understanding of the social agencies out there to help), it may come down to that--especially if you have been raised in the extreme violence in these cases.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was OK, but it didn't really send me. It seeks to absolve kids of any responsibility for their actions when they are very often old enough to know better and come up with a better solution than killing their parents. It also treats murder as the only option for abused children at some points in the book, and I have to disagree with that.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifying story. Well written. I had to put book down a couple of times and walk it off but I finished.

[Monica Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am astonished that I got to read this at university, out of my own initiative by looking through the library, and not on high school. This is a book that adolescents need to read, as well as many adults, especially those who deal with children and those involved in law. It is a book that requires introspection, compassion, and a walk down memory lane for it to be properly understood and apreaciated. But once it is, the reader has a richer understanding of abuse, emotion, and people.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often I write a review with a cute caption, but cute never enters one's mind with this book. It is not for those who can't read in graphic detail the horrors children endure at the hand of their parents and then employ the only solution they can contemplate. Hopefully and prayerfully, time and education has made things better for victims of child abuse and torture.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult to read at times because of the relevant subject matter, but very interesting. If we only knew to what extent child abuse really occurs the shock would be worse than the shock in this book. Then maybe things could be done to squelch it. Sweden has the right idea.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me quite so time to finish…as the cases in this book made me feel awful (as they should) so I need quite a few breaks in between cases.

I can’t say I enjoyed it for obvious reasons, it it definitely gave me a new perspective on these type of things.

[Laura Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a true crime book.
Well, till now.
My best friend bought this book to read on an airplane (she's a bit of a looney toon criminology major) and once she finished it she needed me to read it too.
Albeit I was reluctant, I mean the books title is a bit off putting when you're not a true crime nut. But honestly, I thought this was a great read. I volunteer occasionally at a domestic violence shelter and though there are many children who come through there I was always focused on the abused women but now I think I have had the proper paradigm shift to next time consider the children.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting look into attitudes about child abuse in the 1980's. The book also allows some insight into the psychological state of children who kill their parents. As someone who is currently studying child abuse, I enjoyed the opportunity to compare and contrast those attitudes with today. We've come a long way in 20 years.

[Jeff Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very graphic look at several cases of child abuse that were so severe that the children finally retaliated by the only way they thought possible. In most cases the judges overseeing these cases sent the children to prison but I am not fully convinced they deserve more punishment on top of their already devasted lives. I suggest this book to anyone that thought their childhood was bad.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a lot of true crime books..this one was quite different from the others as it has many stories in it..and a lot of statistics...after reading it ...it makes more sense though what drove these kids to do what they did..too bad people in their life didn't step in sooner...

[Robyn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was incredibly difficult to get through--not because it was bad; because it is horribly sad. However, I feel much more informed on signs of any form of child abuse. A good read if you're willing to read detailed accounts of verbal, physical, emotional and sexual child abuse.

[Heidi Dyckow]

I discovered myself in this book. I found out what i was capabale of as a child and d it scared me.It really shines a light on how abuse can affect a child. This is a mist read for any parent or former child of abuse. I found it healing.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been several years since I read this book, but it is spot-on about the edges children are pushed to when they are abused and validated my anger at the penal system.

[Joy king · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! SCARY BOOK!!!!!
CRIED A LOT!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was an interesting book in shinning the light of child abuse. these are all true stories of children that went through the abuse and the way they were treated in courts.

[Aj Moore]

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[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

case studies of patricides and matricides and all manner of parricides instigated by young people. much behind this is sexual abuse. all the motivating abuse is told in detail often from testimony and interviews. not all are clear cases without all details. too common a theme is ignored please for help in this though-provoking collection