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A Child Called "It"

One Child's Courage to Survive

By Dave Pelzer

(123)

| Paperback | 9781558743663

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Book Description

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 hContinue

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.

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  • 1 person find this helpful

    A Child Called It is 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 torturous, unpredictable games - games that left hi ... (continue)

    A Child Called It is 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 torturous, 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 and 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.
    Through each struggle you'll find yourself enduring his pain, comforting his loneliness and fighting for his will to survive. This compelling story will awaken you to the truth about child abuse - and the ability we all have to make a difference.

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    meganzing said on Jun 17, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • This book is absolutely outstanding. It will touch your heart indefinitely. Learning of the pain and suffering that this man experienced throughout his childhood made me shed many a tear. If you buy this book, I promise you, you will not be sorry. Just make sure to buy a box of tissues, too.. ... (continue)

    This book is absolutely outstanding. It will touch your heart indefinitely. Learning of the pain and suffering that this man experienced throughout his childhood made me shed many a tear. If you buy this book, I promise you, you will not be sorry. Just make sure to buy a box of tissues, too...you're gonna need them.

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    Erika said on Jan 14, 2011 | Add your feedback

  • It was a good read at the time (6 or 7 years ago) Shocking, disturbing, very moving. But if I had found it these days for the first time, or even a few years ago I would not find the courage to read it. It would be pure torture and what would be the point of that?

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    VeraHuff said on Oct 3, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • A Child Called It

    I knew that this would be a traumatic read and subconsciously I have put off reading it. As it has been sitting on our bookshelves for a little over two years I decided I should not put it off for any longer.
    It is very short and I read it in its entirety yesterday afternoon. Certainly not a bo ... (continue)

    I knew that this would be a traumatic read and subconsciously I have put off reading it. As it has been sitting on our bookshelves for a little over two years I decided I should not put it off for any longer.
    It is very short and I read it in its entirety yesterday afternoon. Certainly not a book one reads for pleasure or relaxation. It is not a story just the horrendous facts of a little boys life from the ages of four to twelve. I squirmed in horror as I read this example of the truth being so much scarier than fiction.
    Dave Pelzer’s young life was a living hell with a Mother who physically and mentally tortured him. She was obviously a very disturbed woman but why was it that his brothers and his Father in particular, were unwilling or unable to stand up to her?
    As this all happened over thirty years ago, one can only hope that nowadays such horrific cases of child abuse would never have gone on for so long. I really cannot understand why it was so very difficult for the school to rescue David from this situation, which they did eventually. It seemed to take them an eternity to gather the facts they needed! Why oh why did this child not have the strength to take the help that was tentatively offered at various times and just refuse to go home. I believe it was because he was so very very scared that if he did so no one would believe him and he would have ended up a murder victim. It seems to me that against all odds Dave Pelzer showed amazing strength of spirit and survived.
    At times it seems unreal and is certainly very disturbing, however child abuse is sadly a reality in our society and for that reason I am glad that I decided to read this account.
    I will read the sequel ‘The Lost Boy’ soon as it is also waiting on the bookshelves. It covers the period from age twelve to eighteen, when after his prayers were answered and he was rescued he became a foster child.

    I gave this 3 stars not because it is a good book in the literary sense but because it is a bravely related memoir.

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    Lindyloumac said on Aug 28, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • Very shocking to know how a child can be so much tortured by his own mom.

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    LeoCa said on Jul 16, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • This is a book about a miserable little being who has been abused since young and how he grows up and fight against the cruelty. This book one is actually very good and I feel very moved and sorry for the little boy.

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    modaumom said on Sep 21, 2007 | Add your feedback

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9781558743663 Paperback $11.95 $8.60 bn.com
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