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A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer

A Child Called It

One Child's Courage to Survive

by Dave Pelzer
  • Critics' Consensus:
  • Readers' Rating:
  • First Published:
  • Oct 1, 1999, 184 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Oct 1995, 184 pages
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Reviews

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There are currently 270 reader reviews for A Child Called It
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megan

A Child Called It.
This book makes me feel so lucky that I have a good family like mine. When I was nine I was sent to live with my father because my mother was a drug addict and she had crazy boyfriends. She never made me go to school and I never had clean clothes to wear to school. Then one day my mother asked me if I wanted to stay with her crazy boyfriend or If I wanted to go to my grandma’s house. I loved my grandma so of course I chose to go stay the night at her house. It was better than being home with my mother’s boyfriend. That night he had beaten an 18 year old teenage girl and I was lucky I was not there. Then about a month later my grandma told my mother that she needs to get her life straightened out and she took me to go live with her. I was an A student in school, I always had clean clothes, and I never had to worry about anything bad happening to me because I knew my grandmother was there. Then about a year later she passed away. That was the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to me. Just being at the funeral, me thinking “wow, I’m never going to get to see her again”. Now I live with my father and I have a great life. I’m so lucky that I had got to leave that house or else I probably would have been killed or badly hurt. I love the book A Child Called It. This book inspires me every day. Thank you Dave Pelzer.
Jake

sad but amazing
This book was amazing. So many parts made me feel bad and made me gratetful of how happy I am to have a good family.
Cookie

A Child Called It
I have read this and the sequel to it as well. I believe there are 3 books about the same subject. This was an amazing story , extremely well written. As an abused child myself when I was young, I can certainly relate to the story and found the book touched on all the same feelings I felt. I spent many years in and out of extreme depressions, and never did forgive my relative that continually abused me as a child. I was told by our parish priest not to talk about things like that as it was only bad girls that discuss such things. I spent a few months as an adult in therapy. Aces to the author, Dave Pelzer, and we should see more books on this type of subject to wake up the public as to what goes on behind closed doors, even in families. There was also a lot of sexual abuse that went on in Indian Boarding Schools . I worked in one for a short while but was dismissed as soon as I started asking the students too many questions. Being only 19 at the time I did not know who to go to with that story either. All places where students and children could be abised should have large notices of who to contact if they need help or even just to talk/ Sorry for the long tirade but you hit on a subject I feel needs to get out more. Shirley
Edie

You Are Not Alone
I recommend the book simply because so many people experience abuse in one fashion or another, thinking they are alone and unable to make a difference. Mr. Pelzer's exemplifies a human's ability to over come a life and environment void of tender, loving nurturing that all children deserve. He has chosen to do good rather than harm as a result; thus, no one has an excuse.
nathanael losh

a captivating and emotional book.
I am 15 years old. and I read this book 5 times. it touched me, and really made me thankful for my parents. that sounds really self centered. but it isn't. It is such a heart touching book, and very sad. i feel so sorry for what Dave had to go through. but this book taught me a lot. and thank you for writing this book.
Jada S.

A child called
This book is amazing! I really enjoyed reading it. All of the invigorating things that are described and how the mother of David P. treated him, i would never do that . I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone! Its one of the best books i have ever read and i will for sure read the continuing stories.
Shorty

I love this book
In class we are reading this book, and so far I love it, the writer catches the feel of being in the room amazingly. it is a thrilling book i can't wait to hear the rest of it.
Cindy Mai

No More Abuse, PLEASE!
This book is about a young boy who is once loved by his family and then his mother & father become alcoholics and his mother starts abusing him worse than I've EVER heard. When his dad tries to stick up for him, his mother would get really mad and yell. His mother brainwashes his dad and him and his brother. I think you should really read this book, it very INTERESTING, it read it in the course of four days, this one & the sequel, now onto the last.

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