A Child Called 'It': One child's courage to survive

by Dave Pelzer | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 1558743669 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wyldanthem of Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on 5/23/2004
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
This book is in the wild! This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, May 23, 2004
A Child Called "It" is 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 torturous, 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 and 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.

Through each struggle you'll find yourself enduring his pain, comforting his loneliness and fighting for his will to survive. This complelling story will awaken you to the truth about child abuse -- and the ability we all have to make a difference.

Journal Entry 2 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, January 21, 2005
My god. How could a parent be so cruel? And how could a child survive such abuse? I wasn't at all impressed with the author's writing abilities, but I was inspired by his will to live and his struggle to survive.

This is the first of three books regarding the third-worst case of child abuse in California. I don't think I could handle reading about the first- or second-worst cases -- it would be too much. Having finished it, though, I'm left wondering some of the same questions as Dave: Why did she beat, belittle, and torture him but not his brothers? Why did his father not step in to stop the abuse? And what turned his once loving and caring mother into such a cruel, abusive parent?

I have the second book in this series, and perhaps some of my questions will be answered in its pages, but for now I need some lighter reading -- this is very heartwrenching material.

Journal Entry 3 by wyldanthem from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, April 19, 2005
This book will be joining me at what might be the last Northern Virginia BookCrossing Meetup. Meetup.com recently began charging its group Organizers, and our fearless leader, Echesketch, is unable to continue under the site's new policies. So I'm hoping for two things tonight: 1) that we find a way to keep the group going; and 2) that I find a new home for this great book. Wish me luck!

Journal Entry 4 by tiatia from Fredericksburg, Virginia USA on Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Just got from fellow BCer at NOVA Meetup. Plan to read.

Journal Entry 5 by tiatia from Fredericksburg, Virginia USA on Wednesday, April 20, 2005
A very sad story but the writing style did not jibe with the age of the child nor did his reactions jibe with the time span. There was not enough character development to feel more than horror for the situation. I could not figure out via the writing why the mother went over the edge and I have social work in my background.

Journal Entry 6 by tiatia at Crystal City Mailboxes (Crystal Gateway) in Arlington, Virginia USA on Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Released 19 yrs ago (4/20/2005 UTC) at Crystal City Mailboxes (Crystal Gateway) in Arlington, Virginia USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

bc box in lobby on red table

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.