A Child Called "It" by David Pelzer

Pelzer, David (1995). A Child Called “It.” Florida: Health Communications, Inc.

Young David lived the dream life until his mother slowly started to change and began abusing David. This is David’s story and how he finally escaped the abuse of his mother.

This book is a stirring narrative about the author’s childhood years and the abuse he endured at the hands of his mother. David Pelzer does go into a lot of detail about the tortures he was made to endure as a child, but the most heart-wrenching part of this book is when he describes how his father and brothers stood by and let his mother treat him like a slave. It is interesting how this family descends from a happy and loving family to an abusive family. It was a slow descent, but never plateaued and continued to get worse and worse for young David.

At the end of the book, there are some testimonies from those involved in David’s case. Their purpose is to help people become aware of the very real problem of child abuse. It is sad to think there were so many people came into contact with who did not recognize his situation, possibly because they ignored the signs (tattered clothing, sickly thin, and bruises on his body and head). Young David was able to overcome his situation and hopefully this book can show others who find themselves in physically, emotionally, or sexually abusive situations that they can overcome their past and move on to a brighter future. No one should have to endure what David Pelzer went through, but those who have or are can read this book to get perspective and hopefully realize their situation is not their fault and there are people they can turn to for help (listed at the end of the book).