Customer Reviews

A Child Called "It" : One Child's Courage to Survive [Audiobook] [Cd]

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A Child Called "It" is a real life story about a boy who was brutally beaten and starved by his mentally disturbed and alcoholic mother. At first, David Pelzer lived a healthy and normal life with his parents and brothers. His mother, however, unexpectedly transformed into a monster, venting her anger on her helpless child. David was submerged in freezing cold water, forced to eat his own vomit, slept in the basement under the stairs, stabbed, and forced to sit on a burning stove. These are just a few of the torturous games that his mother used to play. She treated him not like her son, but like an "it". David suffered both mental and physical abuse. In order to survive from his mother's sick games, David used willpower. Through all of her torturous games, David's inner strength began to emerge.

This book is a perfect example of how the human spirit can provide strength in the toughest of situations. David's spirit helped him to survive through his mother's emotional and physical abuse. He refused to let his mother win. He had no one to help him so he learned how to fend for himself. His courage and determination saved him from all of the suffering that he endured at such a young age.

David is a living testament of resilience. His faith and personal responsibility helped him transform into an emotionally healthy and competent adult. A large percentage of emotionally and physically abused children become abusive in their adult years. The abusiveness could be a cycle, passed down from generation to generation. Their rage and pain of being abused could be turned on themselves or the ones they love. David, at a young age, showed strong signs of being a planner as well as a problem solver. These character traits, along with caring adults (nurses, teachers, social workers, etc.), help him to become resilient. David's inner strength helped him turn shame into pride and rejection into acceptance. A Child Called "It" sends an inspirational message of resilience and the human spirit. A person has the ability to leave their dark past and look forward to a better tomorrow. If David Pelter could do it than anyone can!

This book is the story of David Peltzer, who at a very young age was systematically abused and tortured by his own mother while his own father and siblings stood by and watched, sometimes even inflicting there own torture on the very young lad. As a mother of two, my daughter being the same age as David was when his abuse began, I found this a truly distressing story. I had tears in my eyes as David described how his mother would gleefully play "games" with him. On one occassion attempting to burn him on a lit gas stove, on another stabbing him and then not making an attempt to seek medical help for the lad. David was forced to shut down emotionally in order to survive the horrific surroundings in which he was forced to live. From sleeping in a cold garage on an old army cot to the severe beatings which could have killed him. His story is told from the heart of a child yet we can still only begin to imagine what it must have been like to receive this sort of treatment from the one person meant to love and protect him - his mother. In The Lost boy we are taken on the journey of Davids battle to be accepted into a society which does not understand the full extent of his misery. His many foster homes and schools and his ongoing battle with his mother who even after losing her son to the state, was still determined to hurt him from a distance by attempting to have him committed. David grows from a confused frustrated young child into a struggling young adult with the foster child stigma of the times firmly attached to him. Yet he overcomes all of this to join the forces and carve a career for himself. I am now begining to read the 3rd installment of Davids life - A Man Called David and look forward to following his story further into adulthood. Never before has a book had such an impact on me and brought forth such emotions in me that I if I could foster all of the abused and neglected kids in the world I would. Davids story is an important one that everyone should read, for the plight of the small defenceless child is one we should all pay attention to and we should never be afraid to speak out against those who would do them harm.

A must for any library.

This book tells the unforgettable story of a child of severe abuse. One of the worst cases probabably within the U.S. Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable mother, relates the story of his life. This is the first in a set of works written by Mr. Pelzer about his life. He relates to you even more about his life in his works "Lost Boy". You wonder how anyone could possibly come out of such abuse,let alone to become a respected author.
As a fan of memoirs, this is one of the most emotional books I have read. You will feel the anger and sadness...the feel of hopelessness as you read what this child had to endure. But, you also rally behind him-and await Mr. Pelzer's next books to see this courageous man overcome. Long after you have read this work, you will not be able to forget.
Along the lines of this book, "A Child Called It" and along with his other book that i have read "Lost Boy", you will also want to read "Nightmares Echo" and "Sickened". As each offers to you different perspectives of children that must endure the unbelievable and yet survive and inspire us with their works.

I had the opportunity to see Dave at a conference and he had all of us spellbound. The fact that this atrocity had taken place is astounding enough and the fact that Dave, even as a child, had the tenactiy to endure and overcome his hellish childhood and survive is truly amazing. I have read both this book and it's sequel and I can truly say they are must read works. It is filled with personal insight to what his "life" was like and how he had the courage to endure. Not everyone who reads these books will believe his story, but I can tell you that while seeing this man before us relaying the events with such conviction and firmness with tears in his eyes made a believer out of me. No one could write books like these and call them fiction. Child abuse is real and the story Dave tells is real. If one person sees the signs after reading these I pray they too have the courage to step in and help their "Dave" out of their abusive situation. You sometimes need to "read between the lines" to find the cause for some actions as they are not clearly visible. I can't wait to get the final book in his trilogy. The saying " What doesn't kill you will make you stronger," truly fits this remarkable human and the people who helped him survive! God bless him!

I read both "A Child Called It" and "The Lost Boy" last night. I am looking forward to his third sequel which I ordered. I am deeply grateful that he held on to survive against insurmountable odds, though just a child. Though my heart ached and tears flowed as I read, I truly admire his unselfish spirit . . . to help, encourage, and uplift another "abused" child out of the darkest pit. I feel his story needed to be told to bring attention to the enormity of abuse which springs all around our unsuspecting eyes. Thank you, David, for sharing your heartbreaking, yet, triumphant life with us. May God continue to embrace you and Stephen is my prayer.

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer is an easy read, but full of idea, advice and emotion. The book goes into detail of how a young Dave Pelzer survived in his years of torment and abuse controled by his mother. The conversation used to show how dreadful Dave's growing up was, shows the reader very specifically the events that occured in his daily life. This story is one that will make your angry at times, happy at times, and cry many times. It is an autobiography explaining how to live being raised as a slave to your own family, and the courage that Dave had to survive. It does not only tell a story, but it educates people on how to live for yourself, and value what you have. This book is short, but contains graphic abuse, given both mentally and physically. People who are not in the mood to cry, should not read this book. Middle school children through adults can read this story, but middle school children may not pick up on small writing style changes used to show Dave's change in emotion. A Child Called "It" is a "never put downer" as well as a good literary piece with a respectable theme. It is an excellent read for enjoyment or education on abusive lifestyles. A Child Called "It" was a fantastic book.

"A Child called It" is a true story based on the third worst recorded case of child abuse in California history. Throughout the book David Peltzer all too vividly, sometimes frightening, and heart wrenching recalls a childhood life solely composed of mental, physical, and emotional abuse. The authors ability to illustrate and present a clear picture into the readers mind about his experiences was brilliant. Without a doubt, the author captures moments so well that it feels as if David himself is sitting beside me telling the story. I felt deeply disturbed and disgusted throughout reading the book for the senseless abuse that was forced upon him by his mother without motive. Davis upbringing made ,e realize that I am fortunate to have a nurturing home that is filled with joy and happiness. Overall, the book had left me with many unanswered questions. Why was David brutally beaten and not his siblings? Did the mother have some sort of resentment towards David? What made the once nurturing mother into a wicked sick lady? It is amazing how David managed to survive and although he explains how he did it, it is unbelieveable and astonishing the inhumanity that he survived. Even more astonishing is the fact that in his adult life he has came out unscathed and has even stood out as an exempliary figure. Fortunetly, David has two more books that complete the story. One is, "The Lost Boy" that continues where "A Child called It" left off. The other, "The Man Named Dave" is the last book in the series.

Dave Pelzer shares his horrific childhood at the hands of an insanely sadistic mother in this powerful memoir. You will be shocked by the increasingly bizarre tortures his mother inflicts and amazed by David's ability to withstand it all. Ultimately, the book left me feeling frustrated - I wanted to know why David's mother singled him out for her abuse and why his father, siblings and neighbors did so little to protect him. Then I realized that these were the same frustrations David has lived with most of his life. Furthermore, it's unrealistic to expect that there could be a rational explanation. Just as David does, the reader has to accept that the abuse was senseless.

David Pelzer suffered from and survived the third worst case of child abuse in California. After living through his nightmare, he managed to re-visit his childhood and write the autobiography in a three-book sequence. His first book titled, A Child Called "It", portrays his life from when his family life was too perfect, to when each day he woke up to fight to stay alive. Throughout the book he tells of his abuse, life at home, and his only hope of living, his father. As the story progresses and the severity of David's abuse grows worse every day, he comes to the same decision; do I fight to live or hope to die?
With the exception of the first chapter, the rest of David's life is told as a flashback. The fact that the book begins with David's rescue gives you reassuring hope that soon his torture will end. The way in which David Pelzer writes, matures at the same rate as his age and character. In many instances, this makes one feel David's pain and anguish. This technique creates an imaginary sense of friendship between the reader and David. The author builds loyalty to the reader through his narrative approach. David Pelzer is uncomplicated and innocent, just as a child would be. His genuine, child-like dialogue draws you to his life, and feeds your compassion and desire to save him.
David was born to something commonly known as the "Perfect Family". His early childhood was spent on trips to the Golden Gate Bridge and Russian River where they would go camping for weeks at a time. He was born to a loving and devoted mother, a proud and brave father, and two brothers that only exceeded his own age by a few years. For whatever reason, he never explained what exactly had started his abuse. He mentions his parent's love of drinking, yet it was never mentioned to be at a cause of his dramatic lifestyle change. When the abuse begins, he mentions how he remembers his parents fighting. Yet even their marital issues never seemed to have gotten in the way of their love for their children. Throughout the book he never formally addresses a specific cause to the start of what he once thought would be the end of his life.
As his mother stripped him of his very own humanity, his spiritual self was all he had left to keep himself alive. His father, who he once thought would someday save him, gradually faded out of his life. When his dad finally moved out, David hated the world. He claimed that his far worst enemy was God, for not answering any of his prayers. David learned to hate anyone that knew of his situation, yet failed to help him. David Pelzer also learns to become his own hero. He knew that if he didn't have his own heard, he would die. Yet there were times when he even doubted that much. There are points in the book where he describes waking up and hoping that today would be the day she finally killed him and woke him from his never ending nightmare. This compelling story will take its reader from heart-wrenching torture and discipline, to David Pelzer's rescue and recovery of his own life.

Online Review

A Child Called "It" is a fascinating book! If you read this you'll want to read it all the way through and never put it down. David Pelzer remembers every detail about his childhood life. The book is about David Pelzer's life when he was young. He was beaten very severely by his mom, but his brothers never were touched harshly. His dad didn't hit him, but also didn't say anything to his wife. He just watched. David explains all the hard times he went through. For example, he explains how he had to steal food from class- mates to avoid starvation. He'd have to run home from school and clean the house. His mom would make him strip down and get into a freezing cold bath with his head underwater, only breathing through his nose for 2 hours while his brothers and their friends came in, watched him, and laughed. He would sleep in the garage with only a jacket to warm him. One time his mom turned on the gas stove, had him take off his clothes and forced his body onto the stove. His mom would put disinfectant spray all around the garage and would stick 8 year-old David in there for hours, barely breathing because if he did, he would inhale the chemicals and get even more hurt or sick. The chemicals would burn in his throat and lungs. He called that the gas chamber. Everyday he'd have to come to school and make up another story his mom would tell him, to explain all of the burns, bruises, or whatever torture his mom put him through. It was said to be the third worst case of child abuse in the state of California. This book will make you want to cry and go back and help this poor lonely kid, who didn't have any friends because his mom wouldn't let him away from torture. But now David Pelzer is an adult and writes his experiences in A Child Called "It" and the other books in his trilogy. It is by far the saddest book I have ever read, but one of the best!