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

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Summary: This book was the best book I have ever read.
Review: I tought this book was great!! It not only taught me on child abuse but how so many children are being abused daily from their parents. It is so wrong for someone to abuse their children. There are alot of deaths from child abuse. I am so glad that Dave was not one of the deaths from child abuse. He is the most bravest person i have ever seen. If I was him I would of not been able to go on. But he found a way around that. I know someone who used to beat her kids. She is a awfull person. Now neither of her children live with her. She is a total loser. But anyway this was a sad but great book. I even read his other book "The Lost Boy" That was alos a graet book. I can't wait for his next book!!! He's had such great luck after his abusings. I know if I were abused I really don't think that I would be the same way. Well thank you for your time.

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Summary: An educational and truthful account.
Review: I applaud Dave Petzer's books: "A Child Called 'It' " and "The Lost Boy." His work is courageous and honorable. He uses a great deal of fortitude to unveil fascades abusers and the abused use. His childhood case was an extreme case, but nevertheless, one that needed to be told to a larger audience beyond his family, friends and community. His books accomplish this. I cried throughout his accounts. As a mother, I find it very disturbing that even extreme cases of abuse leave children with injuries and scars that go unnoticed or unrecognized or ignored. Petzer's mother was so ill. She forcibly held the arm of her flesh and blood -- her young child, into the flames of a lit gas stove, forced him into submersion of ice- cold bathtub water and frigthened him into submitting. She brainwashed him into believing that he was not lovable. Requiring him to sleep on an old army cot in the basement and to stay there for hours until beckoned for torture or chores reflects too how mentally ill and grossly unstable his mother {his father too} really was. Using food to punish -- to starve, a child is severely heinous. Dave accounts that his mother had starved him up to 10 days, but usually just up to three days before giving him scraps or mere morsels. Forcing a child to stay in a closed bathroom with a bucket of Clorox and ammonia, forcing him to eat vomit, feces, contaminated foods and to consume ammonia and Clorox appears to the majority of sane people as unforgivable actions. The thing that is also unforgivable is that Dave's abuse was allowed to continue throughout the majority of his childhood. What is also disturbing is that Dave's mother's doctors did not grasp any clues into her demented mental state or recognize her alcoholic history during the times she went into the hospital to give birth to the children after Dave. If they did, I wonder what they attempted to do about it. It appears they did nothing because her alcoholism continued. Her abuse of Dave continued. Certainly, her alcoholism and character-flaws should have allerted attention to a woman who gave birth to her babies in a hospital. Dave was robbed of his childhood; not only because of alcoholic parents, but because other responisible adults did not speak up, apparently. His own love for his mother or longing to be loved by his mother after everything she did, speaks from the true and pure heart of childhood innocence. Our society is robbed everytime abusers are allowed to frighten and control society with contributions to dyfunctional lifestyles. Dave took charge of his sitation -- his past, and is turning it into good. I agree with Pelzer in his quest to bring about a keener awareness of the implications and realities of child abuse. He is indeed a hero for all of us. There is one thing I disagree with in his books. He states that the abuse he experienced throughout the majority of his childhood occurred in a "normal" family. Alcoholic parents are not "normal." They are truly abnormal and ill -- psychologically and physically, and they are most likely multi-wounded -- both prior to becoming dependant on alcohol or drugs and again during the course of addiction. Many children are abused by their drug-addicted and/or alcoholic parents or caretakers. I feel that Pelzer did a terrific job of addressing issues for an abused child or children; however, he should address -- maybe in another book, the alcoholic parents and caretakers and how alcoholism increases the risks for child abuse. Alcoholics often have many facets to their drunken stupors and personalities. Alcohol makes some alcoholics very mean -- even when they are not drunk. It changes them into socially, emotionally and physically unacceptable freaks. We all should encourage parents, teachers -- responsible adults, to read Dave Pelzer's books: "A Child Called, 'It' " and "The Lost Boy." That very act itself might help save children from trauma, abuse or even death. There is no doubt that both books serve as a reality check for society, schools, doctors, nurses, attorneys. The abused have historically been ignored and forgotten. Pelzer's book illuminates the child abuse problem, but readers should be careful not to become hysterical about child protective issues. Certainly, Dave's bruises, burns and broken bones should have allerted protective authorities much earlier than they did, and their slowed reaction in rescuing him is significantly disturbing. Children have accidents that leave them with black eyes and other bruises. Children have accidents that contribute to them injuring bones. But such accidents are not normal day-in and day-out for years and years. I felt that Pelzer should have, or might consider later on, including a section on what constitutes suspicion in terms of reporting child abuse. Dave's individual case was obvious abuse, and I can't help but believe that many adult figures outside of his immediate family looked away even though they knew more than a simple suspicion. We should all keep Dave and children everywhere in our prayers.

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Summary: Tear Jerking... Pelzer is A Miracle Child
Review: I couldn't put down the story of the abused boy, David Pelzer, and his struggle for survival. His triumphs were like miracles to me. David Pelzer truly is one of the most influential people in my life, and even though I have never met him, he has encouraged me to believe in myself and in others, and through his book has taught me some of life's most important lessons. Thank you, Mr. Pelzer, you are greatly appreciated.

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Summary: Captivating account of a child's will to overcome adversity.
Review: I really enjoyed the book because of its point of view. A documentary on abuse is informative, but this account made the whole situations seem more personal because I was more involved. The struggles of David, from his point of view, seemed more touching and it was more personal than just a heap of information and statistics.

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Summary: I trembled as I read, A Child Called "It"
Review: This book touched my soul in many ways, I too was abused as a child and even still I fear my abuser! I need to read the next book asap! For I feel it will help me fight my battle within... Dave you really are a hero, my heart gos out to you! This book was the best! I hope it will help others who strive to overcome their abuse even as adults... Dave... May God be with you and your!

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Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: This book is a must read for everyone who has children and everyone who works with children. I read this book and "The Lost Boy" both in one night. I can't wait for everyone I know to read both of these books. It makes me want to reach out to each and every abused child and just hold them and hug them and make them feel better and feel loved.

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Summary: COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
Review: THIS BOOK IS SO MOVING. I CRIED MY HEART OUT. FOR ANYONE WHO CAN RELATE TO DAVE'S LIFE, I NOW HAVE A MORE VIVID PICTURE. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY TO THE ONES WHO HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THIS BOOK AND IT CHANGED THE WAY I THINK FOR THE BETTER.

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Summary: Awakening
Review: This book should be a requirement for anyone working with small children. We need to really examine how WE perceive children and realize that each child brings his/her own baggage to school. As an educator is should be mandatory for all to read. This book is an eye opener for anyone that believes this could not happen. I have reccommended this to many of my colleages. I have also read the Lost Boy, which was very informative of the foster parent system, showing both neagative as well as the much needed positives. I am looking forwards to his next book.

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Summary: An amazing read...
Review: This book was SUPERB! I was crying throughout, and the book made me reflect on my own life and helped me to know my problems were petty compared to the emotional and physical torment this child faced. I am 14 years old and in the 8th grade, and practically every girl at my school has read and reccomended this book. I do too, and I thank David Pelzer for giving us all a reason to be thankful, and a reason to keep trying, so that one day, perhaps, we too can be as worthy of love, and as wonderful in emotional strength as this boy.

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Summary: Very moving!
Review: I just finished reading this book about a day ago, and immediately picked up The Lost Boy. I think that everyone should read this book. It tells alot about what can, and does happen to children, no matter how old they are. At parts in this book, I cried, but for the most part, I was just horrified at what someone could do to another human being, especially being his mother! I was amazed at how David could remain so loyal to his mother, even after all she had done to him, and how he didn't let the hurt, and pain turn him into someone who could do the same to someone else. This is a great, inspirational, uplifting story about the human heart.