Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother, a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games ' games that left one of her three sons nearly dead. She no longer considered Dave a son, but a slave; no longer a boy, but an 'it'. His bed was an old army cot in the basement, his clothes were torn and smelly, and when he was allowed the luxury of food it was scraps from the dog's bowl. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare played out behind closed doors. But throughout Dave kept alive dreams of finding a family to love him. This book covers the early years of his life and is an affecting an inspirational book of the horrors of child abuse and the steadfast determination of one child to survive.
A Child Called 'It': One child's courage to survive
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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 but not to David, her son, 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.--Christine Buttery --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
A harrowing, yet inspiring true story of a young boy's abusive childhood, from internationally bestselling author Dave Pelzer.
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5 March 1973, Daly City, California - I'm late. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
5 March 1973, Daly City, California - I'm late. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Dave's account of his early years was probably the most horrific but inspirational book I have ever read. He suffered physical and emotional abuse in the highest degree but somehow maintained the strength of character to survive. To imagine a mother stabbing, burning and forcing a child to eat his own vomit is mind blowing. Dave's account however is not one that dwells on the tragedy of it all but very much focuses on his determination to survive. I was unable to put this book down and rushed out to buy the other two books in the series. I would very much recommend his accounts of his time through foster care and adulthood in 'The lost boy' and 'A man named Dave'
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By P B Dalley
Format:Paperback
This is a compelling read, which leaves the reader feeling disturbed, confused and angry. It is a book that you will read in one go, for it is impossible to put down once you start. When you reach the end, there are more questions in the readers mind than there are answers, you may not cry, but you will feel overwhelmed with many different emotions. It is hard to believe that this is a true story, simply because it is so unbelievable and because many us will never experience any think like this, or here of anything like this in our lives. It's a story of a mother's cruel abuse and a boy's ability to survive.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
'A Child Called "It"' takes the reader to the childhood of the author; one where love is scarce and abuse is frequent. This isn't a book for the faint-hearted, but the fact that Dave Pelzer lives to tell the tale makes the reader believe in determination and hope, no matter what the circumstances.
To fully understand the story you should read all his books as they trace his move from abused child, through confused adolescence and to adulthood where he can finally put his demons to rest. One can never imagine the suffering that this man endured at the hands of his mother, but nonetheless his writing is frank and compelling. This book has moved me like no other.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
How can a mother treat her own child this way? Worse still how can a mother treat one of her children this way whilst nurturing the others? I found this book extremely harrowing, shocking and disturbing yet I was compelled to read more. For anyone who has ever been the subject of any form of abuse this book will help to dispel any thoughts regarding their role. It was the mother who had the problem yet Dave still loved her, still craved her affection and acceptance. If you read this book you must be prepared to read all three.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I'm a compulsive reader, but I finished this book very quickly - couldn't put it down. It's an amazing story, but when you then think during the read that this is real...it actually happended and Dave was only a small child, you can't help but feel the tears begin to prick. The cold and calculating "games" and tourture dished out by the "The Mother" are chilling - it makes you wonder what kind of person could single out one son and inflict these types of crimes. I've just finished the sequel "The lost Boy" (equally compelling) and can't wait to start "A Man Named Dave". Dave, wherever you are, congratulations for coming through this!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Not normally being a person who reads much, I was drawn to this book as I work for a childrens charity organisation and thought it would maybe open my eyes to the way children view things and help me in my work. It certainly did! We forget how children see things when your an adult and all through reading the book you think why doesn't he just run away and get help, but then you realise that your mother is the only mother you know and you love her unconditionally, whatever! When you know no different and when you're a child you don't know what organisations are out there to help you, what do you do? When you've been brainwashed all your life to think that you're a "bad boy", that is all you know. I've read the two follow up books and have drawn great inspiration and hope from them. Dave Pelzer is an inspiring man and must feel so comforted by the huge number of children he has helped over the years. Thank goodness these days we have organisations to help children in need, but still, unfortunately, some slip through the net. Social Services seem to get so much bad press when things go wrong in the system, but think of all the other thousands of children that are saved by them every year. I will always remember these books and draw inspiration from them.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Im a 24 year old male. and am not into reading books, infact this is the first book ive read since school. - On a recent night out i got chatting to some old friends and while we were drunk they told me about Dave Palzer amazing story, i was so intruged i bought the book. I started reading it and couldnt put it down till i finished. Dave Palzer (the innocent victim ) is a model for any human being and goes to show anyone can triumph over any bad experiance. How his mother could go from been a normal person to an evil monster is anyones guess, but it is truly remarkable how Dave Palzer could manage to find the will to stay alive and not take the easy way out and kill himself is a lesson for everyone. I will be buying his follow up books asap. Dave - Wherever you are now, i salute you. you are a true hero.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A child called it
It was the most heartbreaking story to read, you can't believe the horror some children have to endure, he is an amazing person to have triumphed over all the adversity, a fabulous... Read more
Published 21 days ago by Nattynoooo
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CHILD CALLED IT
GET YOUR TISSUES OUT READY BEFORE YOU START THIS BOOK BECAUSE BY THE END INFACT WELL BEFORE THE END YOU WILL NEED THEM. A GREAT STORY
Published 24 days ago by Mrs. S. A. Hickinbottom
5.0 out of 5 stars
So strong!
I have read this book so many times. Dave Pelzer is just my absolute hero. My childhood was painful, but not a patch on his. Read more
Published 28 days ago by sarahbgoode
5.0 out of 5 stars
a child called it
Absolutely fantastic book such a sad story of what happens to this little boy ive read this book twice I got made to read it as a child when I told my mum she was a bad mum that... Read more
Published 1 month ago by stacey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A child called it
Amazing book very heart breaking and tear jerking loved to see a happy ending but wished we New what happened to his mother
Published 1 month ago by rebecca challenger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good reading by this author
I enjoyed reading this book it was recommended to me by my daughter. I believe this author has other books I would be interested in any information you could email me on other... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gwen Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
sad
I brought this for my daughter to read then she would read out bits to me. After my daughter had read it she gave it to me and its very heart breaking and sad to read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by bookmoviefanatic
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleased
Quick delivery....as advertised...no problem.... can't think of anything else to say...it's a book...it's readable...and it came in the post...and I like it
Published 2 months ago by C. Griffiths
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horrific story worth anyone's time
To think that any child could possibly come out of a childhood like this and be able to go on with life is amazing. I now need to read his next book
Published 2 months ago by Angela Speechley-Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
fab
I have never read a book like this one it is one of the most powerfull books i have ever read blinding read got the follow up too
Published 3 months ago by Nicola cooper
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