A Child Called It (Paperback)

~ Dave Pelzer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

‘Dave Pelzer conveys brilliantly how his own determination allowed him to keep alive his dream of one day find a family who would be proud to call him their son. Truly touching, and emotionally shocking. A marvel’ Best

About the Author

Dave Pelzer is recognised as one of America’s most effective and respected communicators addressing corporations, conventions and health/psychology/primary care workers. His unique accomplishments have garnered personal commendations from Ronald Reagan and George Bush. He was selected as torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic Torch relay. He has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd ) (January 4, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0752837508
• ISBN-13: 978-0752837505
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,426 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly amazing story, April 9, 2007

By	Josette (Australia) - See all my reviews

This book will change you a little on the inside, that is of course, unless you have REALLY REALLY THICK SKIN !!

It's a confronting, emotional story, which is both easy and very difficult to read. I know that sounds ridiculous, but nearly every page breaks your heart, but you read on knowing that somewhere his life came good - good enough to write this and the following two books (The Lost Boy & A Man Named Dave).

He is an amazing person, and if you're skin is thick enough - Read this.

It's enough to make me grateful for the life I had, no matter how bad it seemed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read, March 31, 2008

By	C. Blakely "antrimbee" (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Honestly, there were times in this book where I doubted if it could be true. That this could happen, that someone could do this to their own flesh and blood, their baby, is beyond belief. The sheer brutality, monstrous evil that he lived through shows the measure of the person inside; that he came through it, made a life of his own, and had a son of his own. The most chilling part, I remember, is learning that Dave Pelzer's ordeal was the third worst case of child abuse in the city. It terrifies me to imagine that there could have been two worse cases. I read this book in a day, and the only disappointment I had was that I didn't get to hear what happened to his abuser. I'm hoping he tells us in the next book. Grab your kids and hug them tight.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldnt put this book down, January 3, 2008

By	Karen F. Darrie "legoflamb" (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was so cruel. I don't know where his sick mother came up with such sick ideas to hurt him like that? what was she thinking? she was psychotic!
It was shocking.Anyway it was a book I couldn't put down.