A good friend lent me this book, because she knew of the abuse from my own childhood. My abuse was not nearly as detrimental as the amount described in the book. To read this was unbelievably hard. I had to read it in increments, as it drudged up many flashbacks of my father that were too painful to recall. As a child going through this living haides, it seems like you're the ONLY one going through this. You torture yourself wondering what is so wrong with you, what about you could possibly be so terrible, that your own parent shuns you away. This book was an amazing read, in the end. I came from a man who only referred to me as 'her,' not his daughter. I stopped being afraid the moment I laid eyes upon him in his casket. Like the author, I too, learned that life can go on... that you can survive it. You can become somebody, not just be an 'It' or a 'Her' for the rest of your life.

Dave Pelzer is an author who does a wonderful job telling his story. I have seen him on Oprah and after reading his book I admire him even more. As a child Dave went through things no child should due to an alcoholic mother and his strength enabled him to turn his mess into a message. This book is excellent for the youth who are in similar situations to motivate them that they can make it. This book is not easy to read due to the nature of the topic but it is a marvelous book I would recommend to others. I received my copy free but it is a book I wouldn't have minded paying for. Great!

A friend who had a very difficult childhood lent me this book. Dave Pelzer's story shed some light onto how my friend suffered and yet still finds ways to draw strength from that experience. It was a very hard read--it's hard to imagine that people treat children this way--but I walked away thinking of how amazing it is that people can survive, physically, mentally, and spiritually. It certainly puts my problems into perspective.

I've read this book a few times, and will never forget it. The abuse was just... horrific. I know a previous reviewer said they wonder if it's fabricated... all's I can say is remember the Holocaust. Those poor people in concentration camps went through horrible, awful things (unnecessary surgeries, human experimentation, etc) and lived through it. Sometimes it's not the injury or problem... it's the will to survive. That's the best part of this entire book. It truly shows you how strong the will to survive can be. This man made it through the worst a human being can conceive of in a family home, and came out to be a BETTER person for it. It's truly a great, riveting read. Don't read it in public though - it makes you cry! Once I read this one, I had to find the others as well, to know this man rose from the worst he could suffer in to a prize winning author is amazing.

In this attention grabbing, heart wrenching story of the most horrific child abuse case I've ever heard of, Dave Pelzer shares the events of his childhood in a way that will keep you glued to the pages. The story of his life tells the reader about the good, the bad, the hardships and the happiness. The first book: a child called it, recounts the events of his drunken mothers rage, and her anger and disgust for him. the story proceeds to enlighten us on the fact that he wasn't always abused, there were good times in his childhood, he also talks about the rescue, and becoming free. The horrifying and gruesome details of his story have kept me glued to his books. I have read the first book several times, and each time it draws many emotions out of me. First anger, second relief, then happiness. all in all, its a very captivating book about a reality that many don't want to face.

I had seen the author on Oprah, well part of it anyway and wanted to see what the book was about. I borrowed it from my local library to fill in the missing pieces of the show I had not caught, which was most of it. I was not inspired, I was horrified at the accounts of abuse he said he went through. I was not horrified by the accounts as I have heard of actual abuse cases much worse. I know that there are horrific cases of child abuse that take place in the world. However parts of the story seemed more fictional then truthful. Several instances that were recounted seemed fabricated and exaggerated. No adult could survive an arterial would and soaking 3 tee shirts and bandages, let alone a child. No one could survive being locked in a bathroom with gaseous and all the vents blocked off like he recounted. Part of me wants it to be true because if it is fabricated, or sensationalized (as I believe) then he has used a very really crime that takes place everyday to profit from it. Now if you want to read a truly inspirational book I suggest Night, it is not about childhood abuse but about being a holocaust survivor. That book left me truly inspired and I wanted to better not only myself but the world around me after reading it.

This book reminded me of my own childhood. i was raised by two alcoholic parents of 12 children who nightly pummelled each other. if a baby cried or the wash wasn't done you would get pulled out of bed by your hair and dragged to the task. I know what it feels to be "forgotten" in a world where everyone else goes about not knowing or not seeing. While this book reminded me of those horrible times and made me feel the hurt all over again, i reveled in his positive outlook and give him CHEERS for him making it through. no matter what they tell you, you do still have to deal with that abuse the rest of your life. i have resolved everything with the abuse and realize it has made me stronger and more able to help others with the same pain which, in my view, is why all of it happened. But of course, i couldn't do that without books like this one and positive affirmations which keep me positive and "whole".

I read this book back in High School when i was required to read a few books in each general area. Under self-help I discovered this book and would never put it down. I read hours on end through the few nights I was reading it.

Dave Pelzer is writing a book about him as a young child and his experiences with his Drunk Mother and Neglectful father. Dave had no other means of help when he was in this abuse. His high hopes for the future is what barely kept him alive.

After reading this book, I can say it touched me in a way other than self-help. It made me realize that some children go through things in life, things that they shouldn't but still do and the rest of us should be grateful for our lives. It makes me be thankful for our CPS Agencies whom come out to the homes and help these children in need. It makes me sad in which some help came too late. Overall, this is a really touching book and I really recommend this for a tear jerker.

I don't even remember when it was I first read this book, but I'll never, ever forget it.

The story is so heartbreaking and made me appreciate the childhood I had, even with the instability and pain that showed up from time to time. The heart wrenching story is so well written that you can almost feel the hands hitting you as you turn the pages and the tears stream down your face.

It amazes me that there are so many out there who go through ATROCIOUS abuse by the hands of those who are supposed to love and protect them. What amazes me even more is that those children can and do grow up to be incredible people with one of the most inspiring stories to tell.

This is one of those stories!

This book tells a story that is both riveting and hard to read. This man is an example of someone who by all accounts should not have made it through his childhood, but lives to tell of it. It is a story of hope and determination - a will to survive, though at times he lost his will to live. It is the kind of true story that makes you contemplate your own life and look for ways to appreciate your blessings. There is always someone worse off, and Pelzer was that someone.

I read this after my teenage daughter brought it home from school. This was a riveting, and gut wrenching story, and I could not believe some of the atrocities that I read about. I wondered how anyone, anywhere could do such horrible things to a child.

I believe this to be a truly eye opening tale about how diseased some homes can be, and should teach us not to judge as harshly, and spend more time in pursuit of things larger than ourselves.

This book is really the sort of gritty, believable tale that brought me to tears on several occasions, and needs to be waded though by everyone that can see it.

My thoughts were riveted as I read the horrifying account of Dave Pelzer’s life in A Child Called It. I read through the book in one night. I felt so much anger at his parents; his mother, the abusive alcoholic and his father that ignored his plight. I couldn’t put the book down until I found out what happened to this poor child. I couldn’t believe how he could be completely lost in despair with no one to come to his aid. I find it hard to believe anyone could miss such abuse. I cried as he was no longer considered a person, but was an It. It was amazing to me that HE was the one writing the book! Not only a chilling account of abuse, this is an inspiring story of the strength and determination of one little boy who defeated all of the worst odds to overcome life’s circumstances.

What an amazing story! The author, Dave Pelzer, tells his harrowing tale of his childhood, growing us with abuse. I picked up this book to read on a flight and was captivated the entire time. I seriously couldn't put the book down, crying as I read of his abuse. No matter who you are, this book will pull at the heart-strings.

Pelzer weaves an intricate story of heartache. I felt the pain he described with an amazing intensity. Though I read this book five years ago, I can still remember some of his horrid tales. It really makes you believe in the human spirit that someone can make something out of their life after going through such an ordeal. After reading this, I was intrigued enough to read his other books that followed his story. This is one book I will not take off my bookshelf.

In this memoir, David J. Pelzer, tells a harrowing story about his treatment at the hands of his mother, who referred to him as “an It’”. In an open and frank account, Mr. Pelzer talks of the abuse he received, such as having to eat the contents of diapers, having his face smashed into mirrors and even being stabbed by his sadistic and alcoholic mother.

Although this sounds like a tale of overt depression, the message overall is one I found uplifting. To come back from such adverse circumstances and lead a productive and meaningful life is truly inspirational. Mr. Pelzer pulls no punches in his writing, and while on one hand shows the very worst of human nature – a mother, who is supposed to be a child’s guardian and protector, becoming a feared abuser, it also shows the very best, with Mr. Pelzer’s resilience to come through his ordeal and take control of his life.

As I read this book I was at a loss of words to communicate what I felt. The tragedy of such a small child made me weep, but the resolve of this same child made me cheer. How a person, much less a child, could survive all the horror and abuse that Dave is astounding. Everyone should read this book and be thankful!

My sister gave me this book after she finished it for a graduate school psych class. I was so moved and heartbroken for this poor child. I couldn't believe a child's mother could betray her son in such a way, and his father never stood up for him. I recommend it to anybody who feels they can't succeed as a parent. Read this heartbreaking story about the worst case of child abuse in California's history, and you will know you have a fighting chance to be a good parent!

This book will tear at your heart strings. I am not what most would consider an avid reader, but I read this book cover to cover the day I got it. It is the true story of a child who is an outcast in his own family. I cannot believe that he survived all that he was put through. This book can be emotionally troubling. I would not recommend that teenagers read it. There were times when I threw the book, and then went an picked it up. At the time I did not have children, but I wanted to go find the mother and strangle her. It was amazing to me that through the torture and hatred he suffered he still loved his mother. Even now, just thinking about the book gets my emotions flared up. You will never be the same after reading a book like this it makes you think about how fortunate most of us truly are.