Editorial 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.
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Customer Reviews
Loved it. 
2008-05-05
If it's a fake or not, I don't care. It makes you think every moment how you're treating your kids and how you can be a better parent. Very good.
Good Gracious, this book has been proven a hoax 
2008-05-05
Google 'Dysfunction For Dollars" and "New York Times" as one search phrase and see what Dave's brother and grandmother are saying. His second brother actually backed him up ... and then wrote his own bestselling book. This is also a guy who buys an estimated 40,000 copies of his book from stores to sell at speaking engagements. Don't worry it's not made up, it's admitted to by Dave's wife, Marsha, who's also vice president of his company. It's there in the same article mentioned above. Er ... perhaps that explains why it's a "bestseller."
This is the same as the writer who claimed to have lived with a pack of wolves after surviving the holocaust. Don't be so quick to assume they're telling the truth. Oh and don't shoot the messenger.
The truth ruined the book 
2008-04-30
When I first read the book, it became one of my most favorite memoirs. Peltzer, I thought, had such courage, strength, and endurance despite having gone through such a harrowing experience.
Then I find out everything he'd written was a lie and that the only reason he was a bestseller was the fact that he bought many of his books himself. Peltzer lied about his childhood and I realize now that the reason how he kept me captivated was that he painted gruesome images that horrify and delights the mind.
I have tried reading his book after finding out but could not stomach it - the lies stopped me in my tracks. But overall, the book is good but remember to read it as fiction.
Amazing book 2008-04-29
A Child Called "It" is based on a true story. David is only five years old when his mother starts drinking and becomes and alcoholic, and his father isn't brave enough to stop any of this. David's mother was once a perfect mother and everyone loved her it wasn't until she started drinking that she lost everyone around her, she took out all her anger on poor David and would punch him and beat him. Years later David was known as "IT", "it's" mother believed to not use his name because he is not worth it. He was also not aloud to sleep in the house because he's not part of the "family" so he was moved into the garage. One day while "it" was cleaning up the kitchen, "mother" came in drunk as ever she sat down on the chair and watched David try to finish the dishes in the amount of time she gave him. As he looked at her and won't clean, she soon lost it and through a knife into "it's" stomach. As you read this book you can feel that you're with there with David on his journey for the fight of his life.
I absolutely loved this book, I couldn't put it down. It was an amazing book of a child's fight for his life. It was also the third worse child abuse case in the state of California.
A Child Called IT 2008-04-25
Loved it, Got it in No time at all.. Was really, really happy with my purchase!
This is a must to read 2008-04-21
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.
Great read 2008-04-13
I loved this book and could not put it down. It is a touching story that at times can be too much to imagine. I think everyone should read this book.
perfect condition 2008-04-10
This was a very fast read. It's amazing how someone can go through all of this and come out so positive.
Tne Most Compelling Book of My Time!! 2008-03-03
I have never read a book that I became so personally invested in. You start becoming part of his life and wishing you could do something. You can't put it down. It is an emotional rollercoaster that is so compelling!
There's $9.95 I'll never get back... 2008-02-22
This is easily the worst book I've ever seen published. Who authorized this publication?
One would think that a story about a boy who was helplessly abused nearly to death, and stabbed by his own mother, would raise at least some sympathy. However, the writing was so.... bad, that I could only cringe. I began resenting the woman who abused her son for the sole reason that he grew up to write this book.
It's bad. That's all there is to say about it. Just bad. Dave Pelzer should have found a ghost writer to tell this story for him.
