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Comments (67)

A Child Called "it"

One Child's Courage to Survive
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1 to 25 of 67 items
Sep 18, 2023jobyts rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This first hand experience story of abusive parent really opens up your eyes from another perspective.
Dec 23, 2022BrendaGuzman2 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book made me cry they way he wrote it made me feel what he felt in that moment
Jun 17, 2022
As I read this book I could not understand how this went on for so long.. When a child is seen in rags, smelling, his body covered in bruises and other injuries , so thin, where were the authorities that could help him. The teachers, the…
Jan 28, 2022henry_liu_ rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The autobiography A Child Called “it” written by Dave Pelzer describes one of the most severe child abuse cases. The child received almost no love or sympathy from anyone and was brutally treated by his mother, who was alcoholic and…
Aug 24, 2021johannaharlen rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Shocking and disturbing. I couldn't put it down. He writes very well and there were times where I felt the hatred for his monster of a mother, father, and siblings with him. There were times where I questioned God with him. How could…
May 04, 2021abi_lou rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I was probably too young for this book the first time I read it. Which is really sad to think about because I was actually older than Dave Pelzer when I first read it. (He was 12 when he was removed from the home; I was 14 when I read the…
Jan 25, 2021duulcceeee rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Such a great book, definitely worth reading it really speaks and talks about child abuse and how these kind of situations actually do happen in real life. I love the way it is written would definitely read it again!
Sep 26, 2019courtws rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I'm not sure ratings of "like", "love" and "hate" exactly apply to a book like this. Yes, it was gruesomely compelling -- I had to know how he got away -- but I'm like other reviewers, I don't think I can bring myself to read books two and…
Mar 13, 2019sisnarf rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book was sad and made me cry, but it was a great read. I could not put this book down.
Jun 19, 2018aswig rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put this book down. I knew nothing about child abuse before reading A Child Call "It," and I'm so glad I read it. Dave's beautifully writes of a terrible and sad time in his life, but his story is inspiring. I would recommend…
Sep 21, 2017abarg rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book was a very hard read one it brought back ptsd flashbacks from my childhood abuse it was a hard read due to that. Dave went through immense abuse from his mother who would turn his family against him and abuse his father…
Sep 18, 2017
A 17 year old foster child in our home said this was her favorite book.
Sep 16, 2017SuzeParker rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Less-than-stellar editing made this book choppy, but Dave Pelzer's personal story is nonetheless compelling and heartbreaking.
Aug 21, 2017ctalltree rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The order in which this story is told is interesting: First a hint of the abuse along with the freedom from it; then the abuse itself; lastly, the reflection on the story as an adult along with resources. It is as though the story itself…
May 06, 2016Madsims3 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this because my teacher said it was a good book and recommended it to me. I had to hold in my tears. This book is amazing.
s2james
Sep 08, 2015s2james rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book makes you reflect on the things one takes for granted in life. Tears, anger, sadness, were a few emotions that surfaced throughout reading the book. The fact that is is based on a true story makes it more empowering. Must read!!
Aug 03, 2015alvarez01 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Very sad but its also a must read. an amzing book
ss1989
Jun 06, 2015ss1989 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Reading this book bought back a lot of bad memories as a survivor of child abuse myself. Familiar with violent and abusive parents the mother's actions were shocking enough however early on I could not believe the father who did not…
Aka_Aka_Aka
Jan 02, 2015Aka_Aka_Aka rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Yes. Without a doubt, A Child Called "It" is a horrifying, but true story of brutal child abuse whose boundaries went well-beyond just mere cruelty. This sad and very tragic story is told in unflinching detail by the person who…
Jun 15, 2014ManMachine rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Meet Dave Pelzer. Dave is a survivor of "real-life" child abuse of the severest kind. Dave (now a grown man) has written this book chronicling his horrific ordeal at the hands of his alcoholic, mentally-imbalanced mother. Between…
Apr 20, 2014
This book was really sad. the very dark corners of child abuse by viewing to the readers his horrific life as a young boy living with his mother that constantly abused him. recommend this book because maybe by reading this we should try to…
Jan 29, 2014Jen247 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is a must read! I could not put it down, I am reading the trilogy in order & also his brother's story, A Brother's Journey... deserves 10 stars!
Sep 09, 2013texasbooks rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
a sad story of a abused boy and how he got help and overcome the past.
taznem98
Aug 03, 2013
this book is very very very sad )3 the kid goes thru many tortures i cant imajine how hard it is 2 go thru that much made me cry the hole time thruout the story GOOD BOOK
Jun 29, 2013micolereni rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
One of the most depressing books I have ever read. To think that a human being is capable of in acting these atrocities on another is unthinkable. However, I think this book brings to light the issue of child abuse and our power to stand…