A Child Called ‘It’

I recently read the book, “A Child Called ‘It’,” by Dave Pelzer. This book was about Dave’s childhood as a young boy trying to survive with his abusive and alcoholic mother. At first Dave says that things were not always bad, there was a time when his mother was nice and the whole family got along in a loving manner. When he had to retake first grade again was when things got really tough. Dave was treated like a slave, forced to do all the chores in a time limit. If he did not finish in time his punishment would be no food for days, server beatings, or whatever else his wicked mother could come up with as torture. Dave’s mother was cruel to him but Dave knew he could always turn to his father for help. After a beating his father would become furious and yelled at Dave’s mother. Though his father never won Dave still had hope in him. Dave had the most faith in his father because he thought that his father was the only person who really treated him as a real person and as part of the family. Dave had hard times at school as well as at home. Since he never was fed at home, he stole from the other students lunches before school. His mother soon learned of this and made him run to school so he had no time for stealing. Dave also struggled with having to be made fun of because he always smelly due to his clothes that he has to wear everyday, without being washed. David got some new ways of getting food while he was away so his mother forced him to throw it all up to make sure his stomach was empty. Dave’s father soon was almost never home from his job as a firefighter. When he did see his dad he was usually drunk and went to bed early, packing a night bag in the morning right before he left for the next 3 or so days. Dave knew that his parents were growing farther and farther apart he just did not know when would be the time he would be stranded with his mother with no savior or hero by his side. If you want to find out what ends up happen to Dave in the end I suggest you read this book.

I really liked this book because it made me realize how lucky I am. This book also showed how cruel people can be to one person but be super nice and sweet to another. Through out the book I felt as if I was actually part or the book, with my eyes glued to the pages. Personally I also had a bad feeling when I read the book like I was a witness and he was blaming me as he wrote the story and his experiences in life. Dave as a young boy is very sweet and nice which is easily described in the story but changes to an outcast but is still strong inside as the story progresses showing me that people don’t change people, but people change themselves.

I did some research when I was done reading the book, to find out that some of his family members don’t truly agree with all the things that he said. His oldest brother said that he was included in everything and was known to make things up because of his need for attention. Though I got the feeling that his all family had turned on him once he had turned about 12 years old, I was not too sure to believe the statement made about Dave. The overall mood of the story was sad and left an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to leave the book behind at times and move on, but at other times I never wanted to set it down because I wanted to be with Dave helping him overcome the beatings. The story’s end is at the book’s beginning with the rest of the book explaining the ending. It is kind of a cliff hanger but that must be why he wrote two more books as sequels. This book is very good and I would recommend it to any one who can deal with pain and know that this will hopefully never happen to you.

By: Nikki S.