A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive - Softcover

9781558743663: A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games--games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it."

Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. One wants to learn more about his ordeal and its aftermath, and now he's written a sequel, The Lost Boy, detailing his life in the foster-care system.

Though it's a grim story, A Child Called "It" is very much in the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul and the many books in that upbeat series, whose author Pelzer thanks for helping get his book going. It's all about weathering adversity to find love, and Pelzer is an expert witness.

About the Author:
Dave Pelzer travels throughout the nation promoting inspiration and resilience. His unique accomplishments have garnered personal commendations from Presidents Reagan and Bush. In 1993 Pelzer was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA), and in 1994 was the only American to receive The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) award. He was also a torchbearer for the Centennial Olympic Games

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780757319105: A Child Called "It"

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780757319105
Publisher: Health Communications, 2015
Hardcover

9780752837505: A Child Called It

Orion ..., 2001
Softcover

9781409151395: A Child Called It

Orion ..., 1839
Softcover

9781841883090: Child Called It

Seven ..., 2019
Softcover

9780752832227: A Child Called It

Orion ..., 2000
Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Seller Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by HCI (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Soft Cover Quantity: 10
Seller:
booksXpress
(Bayonne, NJ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9781558743663

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.26
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dave Pelzer
Published by HCI (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
upickbook
(Daly City, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # mon0000187491

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 7.99
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.49
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Pelzer, Dave
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Paperback or Softback Quantity: 5
Seller:
BargainBookStores
(Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. A Child Called It 0.41. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9781558743663

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 12.83
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Lakeside Books
(Benton Harbor, MI, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9781558743663

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 9.00
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Pelzer, David J.
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GreatBookPrices
(Columbia, MD, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 518963-n

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 10.79
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Simon and Schuster (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: > 20
Seller:
INDOO
(Avenel, NJ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 1558743669

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 9.52
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GF Books, Inc.
(Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 1558743669-2-1

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 13.95
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Book Deals
(Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-1558743669-new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 13.95
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Paperback Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Save With Sam
(North Miami, FL, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Brand New!. Seller Inventory # 1558743669

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 14.27
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Pelzer, Dave
Published by Health Communications Inc (1995)
ISBN 10: 1558743669 ISBN 13: 9781558743663
New Softcover Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Lucky's Textbooks
(Dallas, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLING22Oct2018170196218

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 11.64
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book