A Child Called "It"

I recently read the book A Child Called "It". The genre of this novel isnonfiction and based on a true story about a child fighting for his life. I chose to read this book because I had heard that it was a great, but very sad read. In this book, David Pelzer struggles to survive against his abusive mother, and brings you there with him through his hardships.


David Pelzer was just a normal little boy who loved his family and school and camping until his whole life turned around. Before he knew it the "good times" were all gone when his mother and father started drinking. At first it was ok, but then they became alcoholics, and David's mother changed into a total different person. She began to beat David when his father was out of the house, and came up with "games" that put him on the verge of death. Now little David had to do all of the house chores while his brothers went outside to play, and he could no longer eat with the family. His mother told him that he was a "bad boy" and tried to brainwash him. David now had to live in the garage on an old army cot, and eventually was stripped of his existance. Now referred to as an "It", he was heartbroken and lonely. Then, David started to be deprived of food for days at a time. Things got so bad that he would have rather died than be living in this "hell house" as he called it. All little David wanted was to be free of his mother and be loved again.


I loved this book, and am so glad that I decided to read it because it made me appreciate what I have. I liked that this book always kept me wanting to read more, and that it made me think constantly. I would recommend this book to anyone so they can see how child abuse negatively affects our world today, and help kids like David all around the world.