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

Rating:
Summary: An informative, powerful book.
Review: This book makes you think about the important issue of child abuse. It made me think, "What would I do if I were confronted with this type of situation?"

Rating:
Summary: A raw, heart-wrenching and soul-shocking story of abuse.
Review: What an incredible story of one little boy's will to survive. I think we all need to read this book so that we may all find such strength and courage. Those of us who grew up in what we consider to be "normal" circmstances, can now have a better understanding and more empathetic viewpoint to those who are less fortunate. Dave's book is almost incomprehensible, and it is easier for us to turn the other cheek and pretend that this never happened! The unfortunate reality is that this did happen and this does happen on a daily basis around the world! This book presents us with the ugly truth of horrific child abuse. Yes, it is easier not to read this book and live in naive bliss, but now that we have, the responsibility is on us. With this book, Dave have shown us that it only takes love and understanding to show a lost child the way.......I believe that we can all afford that!! Dave, your story is a real eye-opener. We needed the harsh reality, otherwise we would chose to believe that life does not deliver the blows that you have endured. You are truly something else!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: To depressing, not enough insight.
Review: I read this book and I could not believe the mother did the things the author claimed. If it really happened I apologize. The problem I have with the book is you never get a sense as to why all this abuse happened. It just reads like a Stephen King horror story. I don't know who would benefit by reading this book. I know the book was written through the eyes of a child, but the author should of updated us at the end and given us some insight through the eyes of an adult. Child abuse is a serious issue, I just don't think this book is the forum to address it.

Rating:
Summary: Thank-You, David
Review: This book was passed around my Freshman class and I don't know anyone, even 15 year old boys, that didn't shed at least a tear. The only thing that made me take my eyes off this book was when I took the time to dry my eyes. This book made us all realize that bad things happen to children that is beyond their control. It took this masterpiece to pierce through the bubble of our safe, candy-coated childhoods. We were fortuneate enough to have Mr. Pelzer come speak to us and I have never been in a quieter room filled with 200 14-18 year olds in my life. That you Mr. Pelzer for opening my eyes.

Rating:
Summary: David, You Speak For More Than You Know....
Review: I am a child abuse survivor. My mother was a paranoid schizophrenic, and I grew up in the '70s when these people and their kids were swept under the rug. To say that I had it easy would be an understatement...some of the things David describes happened to me. If you think it's too far fetched to be true, don't be so sure... David rips away the adult habit of "cushioning reality", (to make it more palatable), by attempting to use a 6 year old's voice. They are too young to have learned this art--they tell you exactly what they percieve, as best they can. It is, in a way, more honest, and closer to life. David, Kudos, from another survivor. Don't let it end here..!

Rating:
Summary: An Awesome but sad book. A MUST READ
Review: I am not usually a reader but this book caught my eye and I didn't put it down for a second. David, you are a brave young man who deserves all the credit someone can get. You survived a horrible past and put it behind you and I just hope that no other child will ever have to experience what you have in your life. keep your head up and don't ever give up. WAY TO GO DAVID!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: This book was so touching and i cried. im only 11.
Review: This book was fascinating. it touched me in a way a book has never touched me before. im only 11. i dont no how he survived.

Rating:
Summary: A Gut Renching and Unbelievable story you must read!!!!!
Review: I was at work one day and I was assigned a job to stand there and wait for customers to ask questions which I would only get about 2 per day so I went over to the book isle and I saw this book called A Child Called "IT". So i picked it up and I read it the whole time I stood there. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to cry, I just couldn't understand why and how someone could do this to an innocent,young child. My comment is that for all of you readers who don't believe that this happened to him and that he is only trying to make money out of it, i'm sorry to say but I wish it would happen to you,just for a day, so you could see how it felt to go through something so horrifing as David did and have someone not believe your story. Just sit there and think of WHY would someone make up a story about there childhood that was so bad. Not for the money but to let people know that there is help out there for children who are put through the abuse and tourcher that David was put through, and that there are cruel parents out there not only in the 60's and 70's but even now in the 1990's. David, I was you the best of luck in what you do and keep the books coming. I have really enjoyed them even though they are so horrifing.

Rating:
Summary: This was the most thought provoking book I've ever read.
Review: I work in a bookstore, am an avid reader, & have read more books than I could ever count. "A Child Called It" was the most heart wrenching, intense, & emotional story I have ever read. It left me longing to know more about this incredible child, so I had to immediately run out & pick up the sequel, "The Lost Boy". Throughout my entire reading of "A Child Called It", I marveled at how this precious little soul could carry on in his tormented existence. His courage & determination should be an inspiration to us all. I have & will continue to recommend this book to everyone who shops at my bookstore, as well as to friends & family. This is a must read for anyone who thinks they have it rough in this life. I don't believe there's a single human being who would trade places with this little boy & endure what he had to. This is truly a survival story. I literally had physical reactions while reading this book.... I cried, my heart was pounding, I became extremely angry at the person not worthy to be called his mother, & I felt genuine sadness. This is not a book I will soon forget.

Rating:
Summary: Terrifying but incredible...
Review: I am amazed and yet terrified that a child could and had to endure such a childhood. Dave gives a history that should horrify any parent or adult that has a heart and a soul to care for our smallest people on earth. I am even more amazed at how this child was able to grow with a positive attitude and how as he grew maintained a level of goodness when by all statistics he should not have turned out as well as he did. For a gripping, true life story this is a book you will want to read and not put down....