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A Child Called It (Dave Pelzer, #1) by…
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A Child Called "It" (Dave Pelzer, #1) (original 1995; edition 1995)

by Dave Pelzer

Series: Dave Pelzer (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
8,5123051,013 (3.86)68
Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:

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.

.
… (more)
Member:StressedRach
Title:A Child Called "It" (Dave Pelzer, #1)
Authors:Dave Pelzer
Info:Health Communications Inc, Paperback, 184 pages
Collections:Read
Rating:*****
Tags:None

Work Information

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer (1995)

  1. 20
    One Child: The True Story of a Tormented Six-Year-Old and the Brilliant Teacher Who Reached Out by Torey L. Hayden (Moniica)
  2. 21
    Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (PortiaLong)
    PortiaLong: Disturbing memoirs - I disliked them both for the same reasons (so someone else may LIKE them for those same reasons).
  3. 00
    The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry (JenniferRobb)
    JenniferRobb: Berry's book is fictional while Pelzer's is his true story, but many aspects of the abuse the child suffers is similar. Thanfully, Pelzer's story turns out better than the fictional one does.
  4. 12
    The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliott (mariah2, Kerian)
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» See also 68 mentions

English (296)  German (3)  Swedish (2)  Spanish (1)  Lithuanian (1)  All languages (303)
Showing 1-5 of 296 (next | show all)
{my thoughts} - This book is a book that is not for someone with a week stomach. It is about a child's struggle to deal with a bad hand of cards that he has been dealt. The way in which this child is treated and manipulated breaks the readers heart. It saddened me that the school did nothing to help this child until it was almost to late. When a child goes through so much pain and suffering to the extent that it is apparent something is going on in the home life there should be more investigation into the matter. I have issues know that that CPS had been involved and never did their jobs. When children really need CPS to intervene it never does. It's like they see it worthy of their time to tear apart family's that don't need their help but to leave those family's that do need help alone. CPS in this book is easily fooled by the mother and her actions in manipulating her son. She uses him to prove to them that nothing is wrong within the household and that she is treating them right. However, in reality that isn't the case and the child endures years of suffering because of it. ( )
  Zapkode | Jun 1, 2024 |
{my thoughts} - This book is a book that is not for someone with a week stomach. It is about a child's struggle to deal with a bad hand of cards that he has been dealt. The way in which this child is treated and manipulated breaks the readers heart. It saddened me that the school did nothing to help this child until it was almost to late. When a child goes through so much pain and suffering to the extent that it is apparent something is going on in the home life there should be more investigation into the matter. I have issues know that that CPS had been involved and never did their jobs. When children really need CPS to intervene it never does. It's like they see it worthy of their time to tear apart family's that don't need their help but to leave those family's that do need help alone. CPS in this book is easily fooled by the mother and her actions in manipulating her son. She uses him to prove to them that nothing is wrong within the household and that she is treating them right. However, in reality that isn't the case and the child endures years of suffering because of it. ( )
  CrimsonSoul | Jun 1, 2024 |
Made-up, phony, BS. ( )
  RickGeissal | Aug 16, 2023 |
I read this book in one night. It's a short easy read, not mentally easy as it has my heart sobbing the whole time. I had to keep reading to know why it's happening, how he was saved, what happens with his father. This is a very heart wrenching story, as a mother I was angry and sad and was battling conflicting emotions through the whole book! It held my attention and my curiosity! ( )
  ndfreeman | Aug 1, 2023 |
CW: child abuse

I did not enjoy this book. It was a non stop tale of horrific abuse that left me feeling traumatised. Other's may find this compelling but it just turned my stomach. ( )
  Mrs_Tapsell_Bookzone | Feb 14, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 296 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (8 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Pelzer, Daveprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Gyllenhak, UlfTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to my son Stephen, who, by the grace of God, has taught me the gift of love and joy through the eyes of a child. This book is also dedicated to the teachers and staff members of Thomas Edison Elementary School to include: Stephen E. Ziegler, Athena Konstan, Peter Hansen, Joyce Woodworth, Janice Woods, Betty Howell, and the School Nurse. To all of you, for your courage and for putting your careers on the line that fateful day, March 5, 1973. You saved my life.
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March 5, 1973, Daly City, California - I'm late.
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Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:

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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Average: (3.86)
0.5 8
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