A Child Called 'It': One child's courage to survive
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
4 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.ca
David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, The Lost Boy, detailing his life in the foster-care system.
Though it's a grim story, A Child Called "It" is very much in the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul and the many books in that upbeat series, whose author Pelzer thanks for helping get his book going. It's all about weathering adversity to find love, and Pelzer is an expert witness.
This book had me shaking my head in horror on every page. It was heartwrenching and I had to make myself finish the book. I just can't believe there are innocent children in the world who can live like this.
David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, The Lost Boy, detailing his life in the foster-care system.
Though it's a grim story, A Child Called "It" is very much in the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul and the many books in that upbeat series, whose author Pelzer thanks for helping get his book going. It's all about weathering adversity to find love, and Pelzer is an expert witness.
This book had me shaking my head in horror on every page. It was heartwrenching and I had to make myself finish the book. I just can't believe there are innocent children in the world who can live like this.
Journal Entry 2 by Vapermom at Bench outside PharmaPlus in Brighton, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (9/3/2008 UTC) at Bench outside PharmaPlus in Brighton, Ontario Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Welcome to Bookcrossing. Thank you for catching this book! I hope you enjoy it and will consider exploring this site and possibly joining. It's free and loads of fun, as you can track your released books in their travels, possibly all over the world! Please let us know that you've found the book, what you thought of it and if possible, where you might re-release it when you're done so it can continue its journey. Reading it is not required, though is encouraged. You may remain anonymous, but if you choose to join up I hope you will consider using me, bananabrianna, as the one who referred you.
Welcome to Bookcrossing. Thank you for catching this book! I hope you enjoy it and will consider exploring this site and possibly joining. It's free and loads of fun, as you can track your released books in their travels, possibly all over the world! Please let us know that you've found the book, what you thought of it and if possible, where you might re-release it when you're done so it can continue its journey. Reading it is not required, though is encouraged. You may remain anonymous, but if you choose to join up I hope you will consider using me, bananabrianna, as the one who referred you.
Great Book!!!
CAUGHT IN TRENTON ONATIO CANADA
CAUGHT IN TRENTON ONATIO CANADA
Great Book!!!
CAUGHT IN WEST END DENTAL, TRENTON ONATIO CANADA
CAUGHT IN WEST END DENTAL, TRENTON ONATIO CANADA
Good book but hard for me to read. It's hard to imagine that kids actually live this kind of life and are still able to go on and live normal lives after.
Sad book. If you have had a difficult childhood yourself I don't recommend reading it. Made me cry a lot.
**** Found this copy in a give away pile in Trenton Ontario****
**** Found this copy in a give away pile in Trenton Ontario****
I'm placing it in cart in the side parking lot. Happy reading !
