Rating: 
Summary: Surviving the horror and making it through
Review: This story is indeed a horrible account of one of the worst cases of child abuse in California's history. While many reviewers have stated that this was "embellished" or written soley for the author to deal with his shame or to make money on the "dysfunctional family" circuit, I believe it is sincere and as accurate as an adult could remember upon recounting his childhood. If it's embellished or inaccurate, readers should overlook this because there are real people from the story who have written their thoughts on his situation, and have validated it to a degree. It's best to consider it a personal account of the unnecessary abuse that a child survived, and the fact that he never gave up on surviving. Taken in the context of the trilogy of books by this author, this first book isn't filled with the hope and conquering nature of human spirit that you'll find in the other two books. the trilogy of books provides an inspiring account of how this man endured, survived, and even found his place in the world successfully after a truly horrifying childhood. In this book, the reader cannot make sense of why the author was abused, but the point isn't to find out why. The point is to learn that he made it through and came out on the other side, and didn't end up approaching the rest of his life as a "victim". One thing that I believe every reader can get out of this is how a person can do his or her personal best, no matter what the circumstances, and live to feel good about who they are. I find it amazing that the author could endure what he did and turn around and share his experience, strength, and triumph with others. I couldn't give this book five stars because taken alone, it doesn't give the reader the full story of what this person made of his life, and does leave the reader feeling "chewed up and spit out" at the end of this story. It does leave the reader wondering a bit. However, I'd certainly rank the trilogy with five stars because of the powerful message it delivers. If you're looking for a mind-boggling account of just how bad child abuse can get, and what the child does to deal with it from his perspective, this is a good book to read. If you're looking for inspiration, you'll need to read the other two books he wrote to get there.
Rating: 
Summary: We've all been conned!
Review: Everyone who thinks this is a good book needs to read an article in the New York Times magazine: "Dysfunction for dollars" by Pat Jordan (July 28, 2002) There is no one to corrorate his story. How could he have survived such terrible abuse without anyone noticing? And is it true he buys up his own books to keep it on the best seller lists?
Rating:
Summary: Sorry Wrong Number
Review: This book has it all wrong. I am always suspect of biographies like this. I believe David had a horrible childhood. I also believe David embellished a little. I am going to type the rest of this review trying to dodge lightning bolts. If I am wrong about this, I am sure I made the Gods angry. But if David was, in truth, this mistreated- wouldn't somebody have noticed? Wouldn't somebody have stepped forward? I know things were different then, but were they THAT different? I think his childhood was Hell. But that alone won't sell a book. So let's make it Hell Time Five. And let's not let-up. No room for anything good about anything. Let's not give the reader anytime to take a breath from the violence and the abuse. Let's make this thing over the top. Let's not make it dark- let's make it black. This book is what happens when untrained writers try to write an autobiography. This is not a good book. And Dave is not a good writer. This book is part of a trilogy. The first part. I give it one star- and the books go downhill from there. The third book is so minimal you can read it in between commercials of a half hour sitcom and have time left over. Can't reccomend this one. Dave, your life would make a great book. Please let somebody else write it.
Rating:
Summary: Though it pulls your heartstrings...
Review: This book is without a doubt the most emotionally taxing, horrifying, and distraught accounts I have ever read, but is anything but inspirational. First of all, there are far too many loopholes. He was able to survive his mother's torture being stabbed, inhaling and ingesting toxic chemicals, being starved for over a week, physically beaten, eating bodily excretions, burned on a stove....the list goes on and on as you are forced to read on horror after another with little explanation as too why it happened, exept a vague reference to alcoholism...what child can endure that without at least contracting a disease of some kind? His father, the school employees, relatives, AND the neighborhood failed to report this? He never once considered going to the authorities? He was so naive when the social workers came to "rescue" him he thought he was going to jail for being a bad boy? "the courage to survive" the books proclaims..well,what choice would little Dave have had except to survive, there aren't many other options except to commit suicide... i believ this is the account of a pathological liar who, although possibly abused, blew it completely out of proportion to make a few bucks. this is portraying child abuse the wrong way...dont waste your time with this garbage, try to find insight by researching what child abuse REALLY is.
Rating:
Summary: A Mother's Slave
Review: Let me just start off by saying that I'm the type of student who does not enjoy reading. Now I have to admit, when I was given the assignment to read I didn't want to do it. I was given this book ("A Child Called It") and, when I started reading, from the first page I didn't want to stop. This book for me was so good that everywhere I went I would take it with me. The book is about a young boy who is rejected by his family and is treated like a slave. He couldn't go outside and had to stay home all day doing chores, and after that he stayed in the basement. His mom beat him and tortured him for any little thing whenever she felt like it. The boy (David) didn't want his mom to win so he kept his head up and survived so many years of being starved and abused. This book is very detailed and dramatic. While you're reading it, you get so into it that you feel like you're actually another character in the story, and wish you can help David. I just really like this book because it was very sad, educational, suspenseful, and dramatic. If anyone thinks about reading this book, don't even think, just read it. It's really good!
Rating: 
Summary: A Child Called It Left Me Emotionally Enriched
Review: I just had to share my opinion of this book. David Pelzer's story is inspiring, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and any thing else you can think of. I couln't put the book down. I was naive to the problem our nation is facing and with David's story I was able to understand a little bit more about this problem. I recommend that EVERYONE read this book. There isn't a person on earth who should turn away from reading this book. It will change your life, I guarantee it!
Rating:
Summary: A MUCH NEEDED BOOK!
Review: This book is absolutely excellent. A must read by all professionals working with children. Dave gives insight to the thought processes of children who are in an abusive situations. This book is perfect for adults to get in touch with what children really do feel and think. Also it reveals truth, courage, and problems within society regarding child abuse reporting (especially 30 years ago). Once you start to read this book you will not be able to put it down. A child called it is a quick and easy read filled with valuable insight and knowledge especially if one sits and ponders what they have read critically!
Rating:
Summary: Good job!
Review: I feel for Mr. Pelzer, who shows his courage as a vulnerable young boy who grew into a successful man. Another story lesser known is Ken Grant, a man who has been driven into homelessness and joblessness perhaps by the government itself where he worked at a defense contractor and had a story published about his search for his father.After the story appeared in the newspaper he became chronically unemployable, was denied a decent job with decent health insurance for over 10 years.Grant found state and state subcontractor records santized and perhaps his own book manuscript viewed as a political weapon. Grant wrote an autobiography detailing his own experiences both positive and negative and with a spiritual, not a political, bent. Grant discusses among other things how God led him through his own tribulations as a handicapped,abandoned and abused and neglected youngster in New England. Grant has never been able to get decent work since his own story came out and it has been a question whether political forces have been at work to "teach him a lesson" for 'daring' to offer objective commentary on life in state child care. Grant wrote of triumphs in finding private individuals who cared and his work is a testimony to their caring as much as his own narrative. Grant and Pelzer have much in common.Grant wrote his book first but Pelzer succeeded in getting it published where Grant has been the ongoing target of harassment and such.
Rating:
Summary: The Child Called It
Review: The book, "The Child Called It," by David Pelzer was a heartbreaking and touching story that tells about one child's courage to survive. It was a true story that takes place when David Pelzer is a little boy. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and two brothers in San Francisco, Ca. David's family was always loving until his father started to work more, then his mom started to drink and things changed. His mother was a loving and nurturing mother, but she changed dramatically. She let all of her talents go to waste, such as her nursing career. Her drinking turned her evil. She started abusing David when her husband was away from home. She made David sleep in the basement on an army cot with no blankets. She played sick-minded games with him that almost killed him, like the gas chamber game. He could not eat, shower, or play outside. David always had to find new ways to get food. He would steal from trash cans, schools, and from the freezer in his basement. One time he even stole food from the grocery store. Over the years the staff at his school realized he was being abused. After several months when he was in the 5th or 6th grade, David's school called his mother to tell her he had been placed in the custody of the San Mateo Juvenile Department. I thought this was an excellent story because it was true. I could not believe that something like this could really happen. Even though it upset me sometimes and made me want to cry, I am still glad I read this book. This book made me realize how fortunate I am to have good parents and how good I have it just to have food on the table and clothes in my closet. The best part of the book was how it showed how much courage the little boy had in the story, he never gave up and never lost hope. I would recommend this story, I started it and I couldn't put it down. I just couldn't believe that all of these horrible things could really happen. This story shows how blessed we are. It also shows that if you are being abused to keep your faith and to look for help. The author did a wonderful job. I cant wait to read more of his books. This is a great story to read. I don't know if I would recommend it to all ages though. I don't think younger children would enjoy all that much. I think they might get lost and not understand it very well.
Rating:
Summary: A book that's really hard to put down
Review: I read this book after some one purchased it off my wishlist. It was a short book, it only took me about an hour or two to read. I loved it though, I could not put it down. It literally made me want to beat his mother. I even cried many times through out the book... and I am not a person that cries alot.
The ending kinda made me mad, because it just stops. If you're going to buy this book I suggest you buy the whole set.. I'm waiting to get the second and third books, I can't wait to read them!
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