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A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive
A Child Called 'It' One Child's Courage to Survive
Author: Dave Pelzer
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 mo...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9781558743663
ISBN-10: 1558743669
Publication Date: 9/1/1995
Pages: 195
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1967

4 stars, based on 1967 ratings
Publisher: HCI
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 27
Unimaginable account of a child abused. I received this book in the early afternoon and finished it in record time. I could not put it down. This book makes me thankful for the things that I have. It also makes me want to hold my children a little tighter. I recommend this book to everyone.

We as a nation should want to do more to stand up against child abuse. Don't look the other way or close the blinds. STOP turning the other way on the future of our Country. These children are our future lets nurture them and show them the unconditional love that each child deserves.

Have the tissue box ready. This is a very sad one.
Cant wait to read the next.
reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 23
Heartbreaking and moving, this book tells the story of one child's abuse he suffers at the hands of his parents. This true story is NOT an easy read; you will be horrified, angry, and outraged at the hell this child was put through.
reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 22
This book is a sad tale that is very typical of children in foster care today. Most will read this story and be shocked at the malicious treatment Dave received as a child. However, I, as a child abuse attorney based in Los Angeles, CA, who has represented perhaps thousands of children found myself thinking, "I've seen worse." as I read of Dave's horiffic plight.

Unfortunately, such abuse as Dave's is none too common in today's world. Quite often, I've been asked by the unsympathetic fool, "What is the worst case of child abuse you've seen?" My common response is, "Do you mean where the child lived, or where the child died?"

Most of this abuse goes on right under our noses, unnoticed, and that, is the true tragedy of this story. Kudos to Dave for his ability to survive and his strength to share his story.
DaniLynn avatar reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 14
This was an amazing book. You feel like you're there with this incredible child while he experiences all of these horrible things. I cried the entire time I read this book.
Bibliocrates avatar reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I was completely horrified while reading about what this poor boy endured. Why was David singled out? This book is very sad, heartbreaking! David must have had a powerful spirit to have overcome all of the abuse he suffered through. I wonder what sort of men his brothers grew up to be. Are they psychologically damaged from witnessing all of that abuse? I can't imagine! I highly recommend this book, but it is very difficult to read, many tears were shed. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
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reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on
This is an excellent book. Very touching, Extremely sad!!!
tripletmom avatar reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 225 more book reviews
This book was way more graphic then I expected. It is extremely sad to know chidren are treated this way. I was seriously gagging during 1 part of the book, since I was listening to it on cassette I had to fast forward thru that section. It's amazing Dave Pelzer was able to make it to be an adult.
tracey13 avatar reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 310 more book reviews
Incredible story of one child's suffering. You can't imagine any mother behaving so cruelly, or any father standing by and allowing it to happen. Harrowing story that shows how a whole community failed to protect a child for many years.
reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 130 more book reviews
Very stirring book!
reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 3558 more book reviews
his 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."
reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 4 more book reviews
After reading, I changed my mental question from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" when I encounter people, young or old, who have eyes that reveal more life than their chronological age. Helping children and families of children who have lived similar stories is an increasing part of my life.
froglet avatar reviewed A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive on + 40 more book reviews
It's incredible that a child could live through what he experienced. David's strong spirit and his continued "hope" helped him survive. He just would not let his mother win.

The only problem I had with the book was that the ending was awful. It jumps from him still at home and under mothers control then all of a sudden, he's an adult remembering and visiting his old home. What happened? How did he get out of that situation? So many questions left to the imagination.


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