Rating: 
Summary: HOGWASH!
Review: This is the first time a book has ever compelled me to write a review. "A Child Called It" is entirely unbelievable. For this book to have been the least bit credible, the author should have provided more information as to WHY this happened. The vague explanation of his parents' alcoholism did not wash with me, especially since they treated treated their other 3 children normally, according to the author. There is no explanation as to why his mother so severely abused David but never mistreated the other children. Also, I don't believe a father would allow his wife to starve a child, or that a father would react nonchalantly when the woman STABBED the child. MAYBE if there was a little more explanation to the mother's motivation then I might have been able to believe this. Even at the end of the book, there is no explanation & no closure. We are expected to believe that this woman was a monster. Maybe Dave is greatly exaggerating and embellishing the discipline he received as a child for being a PATHOLOGICAL LIAR.
Rating: 
Summary: A Child Called It
Review: All parents and your children must read this book. It is very easy to read for any age. Reccommend ages 7+. We can all afford to buy this book. You can not afford not to.
Rating:
Summary: When pigs fly
Review: Un huh, un huh. No way, now how, never ever did this happen. Eat dog poop, right. Where are all of the damn doctors who treated Dave? And considering his miracle ability to survive eating dog poop, I am surprised that he was not written up in the New England Journal of Medicine as well. In my experience, most abuse victims have little recollection of memories this extreme, snapshots maybe, but not explicit detail. But I felt compassion for all the pain in his life. Now I feel duped and almost embarrassed.
Rating:
Summary: High School Reader
Review: I have just graduated into my sophomore year of high school. I came across this book because of my mother; she was studying cases of abused children for an interview she had. We were taking a trip to my uncles wedding, and she insisted that she play her cassette of "The Boy Called 'It.'" I didn't think much of it, I was sure that it was going to just be another boring book of my moms. She began to play the tape while I was getting my cd player from the back of the car. The story began, and I was hooked immediately.
The story, for me, evoked mixed feelings. Throughout the story I became angry with "The Mother" for what she had inflicted on Dave Pelzer, "The Boy." The father was almost worse because he let it happen and didn't have the backbone to actually do something about it! Dave's brothers weren't any better. I also felt sorry for Dave but hope was there, Dave wouldn't give into his mother, father, or into his brothers. Dave had the courage that many others would not have had. Although the book evoked tremendous emotion, it is an eye opener! I recommend this book for all readers who desire a different kind of reading.
Rating:
Summary: A [person] is born every minute
Review: For all of you Pelzer diehards, go read an article in the on-line edition of the NY Times Sunday Magazine by Pat Jordan entitled Dyfunction for Dollars. Much of Pelzer's honesty is called into question and the author raises doubts about Pelzer's character and motivation. Things that trouble me include the following: 1) The lack of external validation of Dave's story. I would like to see written documentation in the form of the following:
a) Protective Services Reports,
b) Social Work Reports
c) psychological reports
d) witnessess, in the form of names of teachers, social workers or others who can testify to Dave's alleged abuse. After all, this was the "third worse case of abuse in California history" and some validation must be available. For those of you who might counter with "well that information is confidential". Dave has access to any of this information and could share it if he chose. Secondly, I would expect those teachers "who put their jobs on the line" to be happy and proud of saving Dave and would themselves be on the talk show circuit with their own books. After all, it isn't everyday that you save the "third worse case of child abuse in California history." People who have that kind of power, who can save a kid from eating dog-poop have much to offer the child welfare movement. His own brother says that none of this ever happened. As WC Fields said, "there's a [person] born every minute." Go read God Is In The Kitchen and Other Everyday Miracles for an honest and inspirational look at how a foster care survivior makes the journey to adulthood.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking
Review: This book broke my heart. As a mother of three children, I can not fathom the misery this mother heaped upon her child. There were moments when I felt I would become physically ill reading this book, but it is a critical book to read!
I think that we must open our eyes and see that child abuse is a real problem in this world and we must try to do what we can to see the signs and take action.
I think the author is very brave for writing this book.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing story even more amazing writing!
Review: This was one of the best reads I've come across in a long time. The ability of Dave Pelzer to so graphically depict the abuse he endured for so long was just overwhelming! This book is not a depressing story of abuse but more of a story of triumph. I admit it was difficult to read some of the more graphic sections but in order to appreciate this book for the masterpiece it is you've got to read the entire thing! I highly recommend this book!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A child called "it"
Review: This is a book that shows you the dark side of human nature. I can't even begin to describe the emotions that will go through your mind when you read this, shock, disbelief, distain, anger, but not pity. The author shows his strong will to survive and you feel proud for him, through it all.
You feel as if you have been transported into the mind of a truely abused little boy and you finally make it out alive. Relief is how I felt when I finished this true story, but I also felt the need to know more. I am going to read the next book as soon as I can.
A child called "it" is not for the weak hearted, but it is definitly a must read!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - I recommend the series
Review: This book and this man's story are astonishing, horrifying and incredibly inspirational. All I kept thinking while reading A Child Called "It" was that this guy survived! I highly recommend this book to everyone, but especially those who are facing or have faced abuse, because it is full of hope. Not only did David Pelzer survive his childhood, he confronted the demons left-over from the abuse and went on to help others do the same. He speaks plainly and bluntly about issues most of us are too ashamed to even acknowledge. Many kudos to the author, David Pelzer!
Rating:
Summary: a true survivor
Review: "A Child Called It" is agreat book, a must read for everybody. I finished the book in two days, I just could not put it down. Child abuse is a serious issue, and it happens more often than we can imagine. It is a sad story, but a lesson of survival for all of us. I cannot wait to read the next two books in the trilogy, "The Lost Boy" and "A Man named Dave". I recommend this book to everyone, and might this be a wake up call for all of us to help authorities end cases of child abuse in this country.
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