A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive

Additional A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive Information

This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

What Customers Say About A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive:

I grew up in similar circumstances, Daves story helped me see who I really am and how far I've come. this whole series of books were inspirational to me.

I read this book when i was 12 or 13, and i don't remember all of the details of this book, but what i remember the most is the emotions i felt reading it. Of course some of the things his mother did to him stood out as exceptionally horrific and i still remember them. When you see and hear stories on the news about abuse everyone is mad at the abuser, and we think about that big bruise or head injury that sent that child to the hospital, we focus on the big instance that put them in he news to begin with. What we don't realize sometimes, is the emotional stress of the little things, of the secrets of everyday life that conceals this abuse for so long.

How anyone could be treated the way Dave Pelzer was as a child and come through life being such a solid person is beyond me. The books that followed make you know that anyone can overcome if they want to.

I don't know what I expected, but the shock value of this book, the insight into such a tortured childhood was eye opening. The author has courage to tell their story in hopes that it will help inspire those who read it to help abused children, and to thank those that helped the author. I have much respect for the author. As a book though, I wish the author had included some resources as to how the readers might help abused children.

Abuse, and especially child abuse is horrible under any circumstances. It's really sad and I can't believe parents can do such horrible things to their own kids. He tries to forget the past and think about the future.The style of the book is in first person, Dave explains how his childhood was rough but throughout the whole time he always loved his mother. Why aren't authorities able to stop it before it becomes a problem. The book has some inappropriate parts that aren't suited for kids under twelve. Dave Pelzer writes a compelling autobiography of his early childhood where he was abused by not only his mother but other siblings as well. Then why does it happen. Now Dave Pelzer has a young son and gives him love and encouragement.

If you read this heart warming book you will see how he copes and survives. "A Child Called It" is one of my favorite books. It's a modern type of book and easy to read.I would recommend this book to anyone ages twelve and up. Maggie