ibeforem's Review of A Child Called "it"

by David J. Pelzer

This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an it.

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

These books are fascinating and heartbreaking all at once. I read the first last night, and the second today in less than 2 hours. What I feel left with is not only amazement that this child survived and managed to grow up to be a contributing member of society, but amazement in the differences between the system then and now.

When you read what was done to this boy, you won’t be able to believe that his mother was 1) not punished in the slightest bit, 2) allowed contact with David after he was removed from her care and 3) able to keep her other children without a smidgen of oversight.

Anyway, I highly recommend these books, but be prepared to be horrified.

A Child Called "it"

by David J. Pelzer

Reviewed by ibeforem on Oct 31, 2006

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