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

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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 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.

Features:
Product Details:
Author: Dave Pelzer
Paperback: 195 pages
Publisher: HCI
Publication Date: September 01, 1995
Language: English
ISBN: 1558743669
Package Length: 7.4 inches
Package Width: 5.0 inches
Package Height: 0.6 inches
Package Weight: 0.5 pounds
Average Customer Rating: based on 1985 reviews
 
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:4.5
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5An Incredible, Moving Story of Pain and Triumph  Nov 20, 2009
I read many of the reviews here, and many stated that once they opened the book and started reading they could not put the book down. How true this was for me also. I read the book cover-to-cover in just a few short hours. This book should be read by the abused, soon-to-be parents, teachers, social workers, police officers and those who try to understand and connect emotionally with people who have been abused. Dave Pelzer is truly an amazing person to have experienced such a horrible childhood and to have somehow managed to keep his spirit intact and shine for others to get so much inspiration. This book will take you through incredible waves of emotion. You will not want to put it down, and the experience of reading it will go with you the rest of your life.

I bought this book in an attempt to understand the trauma of my spouse, who underwent a very similar experience in her childhood. For years I failed to truly understand what she went through with her own mother. We had a very troubled time in our early years of being together. We argued constantly, and I often felt like I was constantly being tested to prove my love for her. I also wanted to know why after all the abuse and torture she experienced she would still somehow maintain any sort of relationship with her mother. I have met her mother, and I can say without a doubt she is the most evil person I have ever laid eyes on. After reading this book, I now understand.

In the simplest terms, this book gives you the closest experience you can ever imagine to feeling what it is like to be abused. From the very first page it captured my mind and soon I was shedding tears and wishing I could go back and rescue this poor boy from his monsterous mother and the father who failed to protect him. The one question this book does not provide an answer for is "Why?". We do not learn of his mother's background. There are no clues as to why she would turn from a loving, caring parent into the most horrible creature the world can imagine. There are no answers as to why she chose Dave to abuse, but treated her other children normally. There is no answer that explains why his father turned a blind eye and failed to stop it.

As much as I learned in this book about child abuse and the nature of the feelings of the abuser, I have so many questions that remain unanswered. The story is hearbreaking and disturbing, yet so very profound in the lesson that it teaches. The human spirit and the desire to survive can withstand horrific challenges. It also teaches us that the world can be a very dark place and that there are horrible things happening right now as I write this and you read it. Somewhere out there is a child or perhaps even an adult that is suffering great pain at the hands of another. They are so alone and cannot reach out to others to ask for help. If help is ever to arrive for these silent victims, it has to start by waking up and being more alert to what happens around us. The story of this poor child being tortured at the hands of his mother could be playing out right next door to your very own house.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

5A heartbreaking story of triumph  Nov 13, 2009
This is a heartbreaking memoir about a young boy looking for love. His violently abusive mother beats him constantly, with the stench of alcohol in her breath, while his so called "hero" of a dad and four brothers refuse to help. After David runs to school every day, because his mother won't give him a ride. The school nurse examines him one day and notices all of his cuts and bruises. Even though the nurse thinks that his mother is abusive, David, out of fear, will not tell the family's secret. One day, David's mother pulls his arm out of his socket. When she takes David to the hospital, she lies and says he fell out of bed but that she was too late to try to catch him. It seems that the more she hurts David, the better liar she gets. But that's not even the half of it. David's nightmare is the worst case of child abuse I have ever heard of.

Even though the book was sad, it had to be one of the most inspiring memoirs I have ever read. David Pelzer must be the BRAVEST person I will ever hear about! Out of five stars, I would definitely give this book five, even though I want to give it more! I think this book should be for kids 12 + because it is violent and really sad. It could scare little kids and they might not really understand it. For people that are over 12, you will love it! I've only read it once, but I could read it over and over again.

Another memoir of a chaotic childhood that leads to triumph, which I absolutely loved (I bought it after seeing Dave Pelzer's endorsement on the cover) is I Love Yous Are for White People: A Memoir (P.S.)

5Very good book  Oct 27, 2009
A Child Called "It" was a very good, fast read. It is a very thought provoking story that made me stop and think about how greatful I have been to lead the life I have and not have to go throught all the punishment that this boy did that he didn't deserve. Had wanted to read this story for quite sometime, but when they had this book on my daughter's list of books they were going to read in class I knew I had to read it. I am soo glad I did.

0 of 1 found the following review helpful:

1ripped page, really?  Oct 27, 2009
half a page was ripped and I missed part of the story.
delivery took a long time.
book not really in sell-able condition as advertised.

5A Must Read.......  Oct 25, 2009
This book,is one that I could not put down.I was done with this book in 4 hours.A GREAT book.Everyone should read it.Dave Pelzer is very inspiring and I commend him for sharing his life with the world.Can't waite to read the rest of his books.I rate this book 10 Stars.

 
 
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