Rating: 
Summary: A book everyone can learn from
Review: I read this book in about two hours, which is not to say you should read this if you have a spare two hours. It is an emotionally exhausting read--it is one of those rare books that you don't just not want to put down, but that you can NOT put down. The writing is simple--some have called it poor, but I would call it realistic. There is some difficulty of time-sequencing, where, as a reader, one becomes confused about the actual sequence of events in this story. Rather than appearing unedited, however, the disorganization adds to the sense of confusion that the child narrator must have felt. I suppose many people dismiss this book because child abuse is not relevant to their own life experiences, or because they feel it will be too painful to read. I will not lie--as I alluded to above, this book is probably the most painful I've ever read; and yet, the message of survival should speak not only to people who have suffered abuse, but to anyone who has ever met with hardship and discouragement, be it so temporary as the job search of a college senior. In particular, this is one of those books anyone ever considering parenthood should read, not because most people are even capable of commiting the kinds of attrocities that David's mother committed against her child, but because it is easy as an adult to forget what it's like to be a child. It is difficult to remember just how harsh your words will sound to your child, and how much your child needs to hear praise and loving words from the parent. This is also a book any teacher should read, to remember just how important a role the school plays in a child's life. Finally, this is the kind of book everyone should read. If you feel that the odds are too much against you, read about little Dave, and the impossible battle he fought. True, he provides no road-map for how to survive ify ou are facing similar circumstances. But we as human beings are strong, and we can deal with a lot. Sometimes all we need is to read about another's success, and that will provide us the strength we need to continue to conquer our own struggles. Cross-list in self-help, and stick a couple copies next to the Chicken Soup series. One last note about grade level: my 14-year-old sister read this book, and was not only able to handle the subject matter, but was extremely touched by it. I would not recommend allowing a child who is emotionally insecure to read it, however. The descriptions of violence are graffic, and the hopeful note on which the book ends requires some amount of life-experience to appreciate. WARNING: YOU MIGHT WANT TO BUY THE SEQUELS, The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave when you buy this, because you will be left with a myriad of unanswered questions.
Rating: 
Summary: His Mother Deserves the Death Penalty, or Life in Prison
Review: Dave's mother was so incredibly abusive that I cannot even believe Dave survived, or that his mother didn't spend the rest of her life in prison. The fact that Dave survived at all, much less went on to live a productive life (although he had a hard struggle) tells me that he was put on this earth and survived these hardships for a special reason-to help others through the same situation as an adult. Arriving at the end of the book, I was gratified to learn that this was TRULY the second-worst case of child abuse ever on record in California-we can only imagine what the first worst case would have been. I am so glad that Dave's one teacher was able to help him, recognize the situation, and actually get him out of that home. This is one of the most horrendous books I have ever read, and if you are interested in child abuse cases, you should definitely get it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book to read.
Review: This book really made me thing a great man who surivived through the abuse of his mother. I really recommend this book.It tells his whole life of what his mother did to him, and later became a great man. To really think about it his mother kind of did a good thing.
Rating:
Summary: This book shows us the resiliency of the human spirit!
Review: Dave Pelzer was a victim of child abuse in the 1970s. This case of child abuse was one of the worst documented cases in California history and lasted years. The emotional effects have lasted a lifetime. Dave's mother transforms from the ideal mother and wife to a woman that abuses and torments her own child sometimes beyond belief. One of the best literary works of our time? Perhaps not. Is this an outstanding author? Not really. Does this book make use of foreshadowing or inference? Does it use metaphors, similes or other examples of figurative language found in great books? No. Then why is this book riveting to so many? It is the message, the courage and the will of this author to tell his horrific story. Maybe the writing in the book may be considered a weakness but the message is strong. This autobiography by Dave Pelzer not only puts a face on child abuse, it lets us know what becomes of these children over the years. This book shows us how abuse such as this can negatively affect the child's relationship with siblings, peers and teachers, but it also shows us the resiliency of the human spirit. We see little blips of information about child abuse on the nightly news, we feel bad, and then comes the weather. Reading the details not just of the abuse itself, but of the author's reactions and mindset takes us so much further into the life of an abused child, a world many may not understand, but the only world some children know.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Book For a Shoulder to Cry
Review: Dave Pelzer shows his courage of survival in his autobiographical novel "A Child Called It." In this book, Pelzer writes about his life growing up in a suburban San Francisco home. The home itself is a picturesque 1970s style of living with a typical working father and a stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately, the life that Pelzer had was not as expected. Throughout his life, he grew up in an abusive home environment. Instead of living the American dream, his house was full of hatred and rejection. I'll leave the rest for you to read. If you need a good book to try, then "A Child Called It" is the one that you should read.
Rating: 
Summary: Hogwash
Review: I have worked in the field of child welfare for 35 years and there is no way that this is a true story. No corroboration, implausible story. The only thing this book does is line Dave Pelzer's pockets.
Rating:
Summary: A must read to prospective parents
Review: I finished all three of Dave's books in one week and they were all heart wrenching! I wanted to jump inside the pages and take him away from that evil woman. It was awful chicken for the father to not step in there and take Dave away from her. And he calls himself a courageous fireman? Dave was the one who exhibited all of the courage and brains to survive and win against his mother. I must say that I have never went so much in depth of a child abuse case in my 18 years of life, but now I see what really goes on. I thank God for having such a great family who loves me to no end. I can't believe that anyone would make their children eat their own vomit and feces and have them endure a gas chamber treatment. But in this day of age, I must say that I shouldn't be that surprised. I believe all kids should be loved no matter what kind of mistakes they sometimes make. We are all human and we all screw up and do the wrong thing, so why can't we just learn from it instead of being punished or put down for it? Kids at that age are sensitive and are only learning the concept between right and wrong. You can't expect them to know the difference the day that they are born. Roerva was a crazy loon and deserved to live a lonely life. She died a lonely woman in January of 1992 and I hope that those last minutes that she had on Earth that she was suffering just like poor little David did. I hope that she is living with Satan right now and is suffering. This is definitely a must read for any parent who has unresolving conflicts just like this woman had.
Rating:
Summary: Really hit home.
Review: I read this book in about 2 1/2 hours. It is very short, understandably, considering the subject matter, and it is very easy to read. I would recommend it to any one, especially those who, themselves, have suffered from abuse. It makes you want to hug a kid. I am ordering the 2 sequels right now. I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book, A Chiled Called It
Review: A Child Called It A Child Called It is really touching. It will make you cry, mad, surprised, and maybe laugh about a boy that been abused by his mother. This book is so good, it would make you feel like you are actually in the story. It makes you want to jump right into the book and help David out. You just want to send his mother to jail for all the horrible things she has done and just protect the little boy. You should read this book.
By
James M.
Rating:
Summary: Awsome Inspirational Story. MUST READ
Review: Hi, I have not read a book outside of school or finished one in five years. I picked this book up it took me an afternoon to read it, it was the best book that I have ever read, also the saddest, the book was a inspirtational one that lead the message that you have controll over you, no matter how hard you had it, its up too you to make the best out of what you have, and that you are you and you make who you are. He taught me that you have to be spiritauly motivated and that its okay not to always belive, and its okay sometimes your going to lose faith but in the end you control you destiny and taught me not to let in to stuff, I loved his tone in the book it couldn't have been better!!!
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