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

Rating:
Summary: A truly inspirational story , I want to thank David Pelzer .
Review: I have experienced child abuse first hand. Thank you David for this book. Thank you for making people aware of what goes on behind closed doors. Thank god you survived to tell this horrible story.Hopefully now people will come forward to report or stop child abuse, children are so precious. We have a responsibilty to protect them from preditors even it it's from a parent. God Bless you David. I can't wait to read The Lost Boy.

Rating:
Summary: Book was mind provoking and informative
Review: A child called "it" has been read by four teachers in a span of a week, all which have read it within a couple hours or a day. This book is an easy to read book about a child and his struggle to survive physical and mental abuse from his mother. The detailed accounts of abuse in his life leave one in awe and confussion about how anyone could do such a thing. This is truly a book that should be recommended for anyone who has daily contact with children.

Rating:
Summary: A life-changing book
Review: Astounding. This book discusses the world of child abuse as I have never known it. It is great to know that Dave became a survivor--not a victim.

Rating:
Summary: Absoultely incredible!
Review: My first thought was that David HAD to have been a behavioral problem to begin with, but after the first few pages it was clear that his mother was the one who was disturbed! How a parent could be so cruel and torturous is beyond belief, however, we know that child abuse is pervasive in this society. I applaud his courage to overcome this remarkable ordeal and speak out on behalf of those little ones who endure such abuse every day. His son, Stephen, is one lucky little boy to have a father of David's character.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational!
Review: I think it's wonderful that David Pelzer had the courage to write this book. The book was very inspirational but there were times I didn't think I could make it till the end! I think everyone should read this book so they realize that monstrous things like this really do happen right next door and we as civilized human beings should never turn our backs when we know something is wrong.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I would like to extend my sympathy to [e-mail]. He gave this book a rating of 1 and said that is was a bunch of lies. Anyone who thinks that someone could possibly make up this kind of horror, is (for lack of a better word) insane. Dave Pelzer has shared with us his tremendous account of his horrifying childhood and I never for a second doubted his truthfullness. I pity [e-mail] for feeling that Dave Pelzer is "out to get his parents" because he has missed the whole point of the book; Dave's parents were out to get him. Maybe he should re-read this book with an open mind. It's one of the best books I've ever read and even my 13 year old brother (who won't go anywhere near books) is reading it. I'm sorry you feel this way. And, Dave, congratulations on telling such a powerful and thought-provoking story. You've touched my entire family and me.

Rating:
Summary: This should be required reading for every parent.
Review: A truly horrifying story of a little boys treatment at the hands of a sadistic, drunken mother. I found myself wondering how any adult (let alone a mother) could treat a child in this horrific manner. At times I had to put the book down as it made me so sad for David and so mad at his family. Like the other reviewers I want to know what happened to his mother... hopefully she suffered a long hard prison sentence and now burns in hell.

Rating:
Summary: This book will show you the stregnth of the human spirit
Review: We all think that we know about child abuse. We've read the stories or seen the reports on television while patiently waiting for the sports scores or the weather report. We have all shaken our heads about the more publicized reports of neglect or even murder.

Pelzer's story, however, is one that simply can not be ignored. The hell that this child lived through will leave you astonished that this courageous person lived to tell the story, and you will find yourself crying with his pain and cheering his triumph. And probably, as this reader did, inspired to better yourself. Whether you have children of your own or not, this is one book that should be mandatory reading for anyone who believes that child abuse and neglect is only found in the certains areas of the country or specific economic levels. A Child Called It will truly open your eyes to the horror that we all try to look away from.

Rating:
Summary: I'm Still in Shock!
Review: I, too, read this book in one sitting. My mouth dropped open repeatedly in surprise at the pure evil of his mother! However, I was left with so many more questions. What happened to his mother? What happened to his siblings and father? Why did his father not stand up to his wife? Why did she single David out? These questions are ones I am anticipating being asked by my middle school students as I use it in my classroom this semester. I promise to pay close attention to my students and their unspoken needs. My heart goes out to you, David.

Rating:
Summary: Very upsetting and moving. Truly amazing!
Review: I found this book very upsetting. It is hard to think that teachers let their students treat fellow students the way in which Daves' classmates did. I praise him for his courage during his childhood. He wrote about his happenings well and it contained extreem detail. Many people may find this upsetting and feel it was not needed but the world must realise what many children are going through.