A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive

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Summary: A story of survival
Review: I've read the book twice and am still surprised and shock. it took a very couragous young boy to survive all of that. The whole story was full of triumph, bravery, and the will to live. i've heard of many abuse cases, but none like Dave Pelzers'. it's the fact of knowing that he lived through all of that and still told people of his story, as many that was in his situation would not have.
It's upsetting to know that he went through all of that without no ones help. As some, like his Father, knew about the situation and did nothing but stand by and watch. It's sickening to know that child Abuse is still going on and is becomeing worse each year. I strongly feel that this book will move peoples lives and will open there eyes to what nightmares some children are living inwith no help nor hope.

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Summary: Another book about abuse
Review: I think I've become jaded. After raeding this all I could think was: I work with kids who have been through similar things. Abuse like this happens so often now a days and all the reviews I've read talk about how "horrible" this is. yet I bet not that many of these people would go out and help the child down the street being beaten if they knew about it. Everyone's too worried about lawsuits now a days.

Over all it was an ok book. I was able to put it down. Too often I found myself going, "That happened to so and so", or "that's the situation between so and his mom". Those kids are already getting 'help' but the state still wants them to stay with their 'loving' parents.

I guess I am too jaded. When I read about the abuse I felt sorry for him. At the same time though the thought going through my head was. "It's in the past and he got over it. Now if only I could figure out how to raech so and so".

I guess once you raech a point in dealing with abused children you stop looking at the books that tlak a bout it and start looking more on how to save what you have at the moment before they get taken back to their 'loving' families.

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Summary: A Child Called It:"One Child's Courage To Survive"
Review: When I first thought about reading this book I was afraid because I didn't know what my reaction would be. I was afraid that it would be to upsetting and I wouldn't be able to recover from reading it. But that wasn't the case at all!! This book was so good but at the same time heart renching and sad. I cried through the whole thing but enjoyed reading and going through everything that Dave went through! I only wished that I could have been there to help him through. this book has changed my life and will be with me for the rest of my life!!

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Summary: Totally shocking! High praise for Dave!
Review: I had to finish all 3 books before I wrote my reviews on Mr. Pelzer's books. I can't imagine a parent having that much hate/dislike for a child, her own flesh and blood but I know it's true. I see it every night on the local news.

This is a horror story come to life. Dave did a wonderful job bearing his soul. How difficult it had to be to relive his horror through writing---but what better way to rid yourself of inner demons and find your true self as he did in his writing.

Kudos, Dave. Wonderful job! This trilogy is highly recommended!!

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Summary: It's not just about how mean his mother is
Review: When I read "A Child Called It" I expected it to be depressing and uncomfortable, but it didn't turn out to be so at all! For me, the story was not so much about how horrible his life was or how evil his mother was, but more of how amazing it was that he survived. Dave Pelzer wrote this book, and experienced it, so it is a genuine tale. Hearing how he coped and how unbelievable it was that he could survive the starvation, the "gas chamber", the stabbing, and everything that went on in his life. Yes, I was sickened and descusted by his mothers actions, but it was more a story of his mentality than his physical surroundings. God bless you Dave, and thank you for sharing your exerience with us.

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Summary: Nightmares can be forgotten. [e-mail] June 23,
Review: "A Child Called It" was a book that I could simply not put down. It is a horrible story about the secrecy of child abuse. Having read this, I had to immediately read "The Lost Boy" and then "A Man Named Dave." While tragic, this story is also about rising above the situation. As an abused child myself, I felt lucky that although abused, my life as a child was nothing compared to Dave's. However; reading his books made me realize how important it is to forgive. For years I've had nightmares about an abusive step-parent. Dave's books have taught me that you must forgive to go on. Dave's has used his tragic past to help others and for that I admire. It made me realize, that I too, can turn my nightmares into something positive, like helping others who've been through what I have. I am truly sorry for what Dave and others like him go through. We need to educate and be educated about child abuse. If you think a child is in trouble, go to an authority and don't stop until something is done. If you don't know how to deal with your children, ask someone for help, don't be ashamed.

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Summary: Emotionally draining
Review: On a whim, i picked up this book from the bookshelf this afternoon. The series has been heavily praise by my mother, and i decided ti read the first couple of chapters. Needless to say, i was occupied for two hours, and did not put the book down once during that time, against my better judgement.

This book is horrifying in some of it's content. So horrifying in fact that there came several of times when i just wanted to throw it down on the floor, to tear my eyes away from this awful tale of evil, and not read any further into the disturbing story. This is a hugely powerful book, packed full of emotion. It horrifies. Some of the things it recounts are vile and heartbreaking, it amazes me that i actually managed to get through it without deciding that enough was enough, and i could no longer torment myself with this heartbreaking story.

We all know things like this go on, but i think it should always be a shock when we are confronted with their harsh reality so bluntly. And it is. It is not possible to hide form it indefinitely, or ignore it. You can try to shy away from it, but reality always ends up assaulting you sometime.

This book informs and shocks. It is heartbreaking and the most moving book i have yet to read. The writing style is good, drawing the reader into the story, describing ably the way he felt at the hands of his mother. One of the most disturbing things about this book is the fact that there seems no real REASON... it's haunting.

This is a very very good book. Intensely moving and well written. I am not at all regretful that i put myself through it, but i'm not convinced i will be able to make myself read the nex two.

And through it all, hope shines on.

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Summary: Powerful story!
Review: This book tells a very powerful story. I reccommend this book to adults and teenagers. It is a very gripping story and you feel so bad for Dave. It is very upsetting the things his mother does while his father sits by and does nothing.

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Summary: Stunned
Review: I don't understand how people found this book inspirational. It left me stunned, mentally exhausted, angered, physically ill. I'm torn between disbelief in this book and and pure shame at this human race. I cannot even begin to imagine what people find inspirational. One child may have triumphed - and that is entirely questionable...but the countless others who did not -far, far overshadow any hope with dark consequence and commentary on the world at large.

Rating:
Summary: A Child Called It
Review: After reading A Child Called "It" I don't understand how anyone that young would be able to live through such bad child abuse. As a child Dave was nearly put to death by his drunken mother. When I first started to read the book I couldn't put it down, and it almost made me sick to my stomach knowing what he had to go through. I can't comprehend how someone could be so cruel to a supposed love one. I respect David very much for his strength and determination to get through his tough times as a child. About half way through the book I almost had tears in my eyes. The thought of making your own child eat out of the diaper of one of his siblings is sick. I really believe that God was by David's side throughout every day of his young years. This book touches the lives of anyone who reads it. It really made me evaluate my own life and upbringing. Some of the things that I complain about are not even an issue in David's life. He never had any food to be able to say he didn't like dinner. He never had any new clothes to not like. I recommend this book to everyone, and I plan to read the other two sequels: The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave.