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

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

by unknown

A Favourite of 1, Read by 27, Owned by 15, Reviewed by 3, Quotes 0

Amazon Description:

David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, The Lost Boy, detailing his life in the foster-care system.

Though it's a grim story, A Child Called "It" is very much in the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul and the many books in that upbeat series, whose author Pelzer thanks for helping get his book going. It's all about weathering adversity to find love, and Pelzer is an expert witness.

Added on: Monday, July 31 2006

Recent Reviews:

Tue Dec 30 19:23:25 UTC 2008

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

Eileen said

A Child Called "It"

This is truly a sad book. After having read the book, it definitely provides an insight on many children's current lives. I live in the subs of Chicago and at one point I thought I could have gone into social services for a career. Yet, it was very disturbing while researching this area's level of child abuse and then knowing the fact that a lot of these children are returned home for more abuse because of the lack of money and resources to help them.

Mon Sep 15 00:50:52 UTC 2008

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

Jen said

This is another story that made me cry. I read the book and then I had to read it again. I just couldn't believe that such horrible things had been done to a poor and innocent child…and done to him by his own mother. Its a book that really makes you think about how some people act in this world. This book made me want to help all the abused children out there. If you haven't read this book then please, please read it. It makes you think, it makes you emotional. It makes you human!

Tue Oct 09 04:43:20 UTC 2007

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

Amma's Daughter said

Make sure you have a box of kleenex with you!

No book has ever made me cry as much as reading this heartwretching story! No child should ever have to go through what Dave went through. His story is the story of many abused children all over the world. This exists. Reading this book only makes your heart even more compassionate. I also came away feeling so appreciative of having grown up in a loving and secure family and home. I never lacked love all my life, but he had no love growing up. Every single day was a fight for survival. He came to death so many times and experienced the worst of pain and injuries. There's no way you can read this book without crying unless your heart is cold. I highly recommend this book!