A Child Called "It"

A Child Called "It" is a memoir that chronicles Dave Pelzer's early childhood years in California during the 1960s and 70s. His account details the severe abuse he endured at the hands of his alcoholic mother while living in an otherwise typical suburban household. The narrative follows young Dave from ages 4 to 12 as he navigates daily survival in an increasingly dangerous home environment. His perspective remains focused on his experiences as a child, capturing both the confusion and determination that defined those years. Through straightforward, direct prose, Pelzer describes his search for food, his efforts to complete household chores, and his constant strategizing to avoid punishment. The contrast between his home life and the relative normalcy of his school days forms a central tension in the story. This memoir stands as both a testament to human resilience and an exposure of how child abuse can exist undetected in ordinary neighborhoods. The author's stark retelling serves to break the silence that often surrounds domestic violence and child maltreatment.

Readers describe this memoir as emotionally devastating and difficult to get through, yet important for raising awareness about child abuse. Many note they had to take breaks while reading due to the intense content. What readers liked: - Raw, honest writing style - Brought attention to child abuse prevention - Shows resilience of the human spirit - Made them appreciate their own families more What readers disliked: - Questions about accuracy and truthfulness - Too graphic/detailed descriptions of abuse - Writing quality seen as basic/simplistic - Some felt it was sensationalized Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (502,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (4,900+ ratings) Common reader comment: "This book haunted me for days." Several readers mention fact-checking concerns, with one noting: "The severity of abuse described seems beyond what any child could survive." Many reviewers say they couldn't rate it conventionally because "enjoying" such a story felt wrong.

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🔹 "A Child Called 'It'" remained on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 6 years and has been translated into more than 40 languages. 🔹 Dave Pelzer became one of the first people in California's history to be removed from an abusive home based solely on his testimony as a child. 🔹 The author went on to join the U.S. Air Force at age 18, where he served in the Gulf War and was chosen to midair refuel the SR-71 Blackbird and various other aircraft. 🔹 The book sparked significant controversy, with some family members disputing Pelzer's account, while child abuse experts and his brother Richard have strongly supported the validity of his story. 🔹 Dave Pelzer has been recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans and was the only American to be honored as The Outstanding Young Person of the World by the Junior Chamber International.