What readers think of A Child Called It, plus links to write your own review.

As a teenager reading this book I felt so many different emotions. I was overwhelmed, relieved, amazed, depressed, and extremely grateful. This book not only entertained me but helped me as well. I understand all too well about family problems and an unstable parent you can't depend on. This book made me grateful for the one parent I do have that loves me more than life, and helped me cope with my feelings caused by living with a parent that doesn't fit the part. I strongly recommend this book to everyone. I read all three in three days because I could not put it down. It teaches courage and inspires. It is upsetting some people, even his brother, would condemn him for sharing his struggles and call his past a lie. That is the very reason so many children continue to be abused today, and I can't even begin to describe how brave this man is for sharing the most intimate details of his life with the world.

As a child social worker for CPS and a licensed psychotherapist working with abused children for 15 years I found the book hardly credible. I feel the story was exaggerated and embellished. This man's story is bigger then life, and hardly believable. There are children that have to live with severe abuse. However there have always been measures in place. As mandated reporters teachers and school nurses have to report to CPS if they suspect abuse. There would have been a flood of reports from neighbors, school staff, and doctors through out the years of abuse. Why does the writer not talk about foster care. No mention in the book as how he made it. Was he not placed in foster care along the way. Also there is no one mentioned in the book that can be corroborated, only his account. I find it impossible to believe.

I could not put this book down and I am not a big reader. I cannot believe how someone could survive mentally or physically as Dave Pelzer has. It was a very eye opening and brought me to tears. Mt 14 year old son read this book and loved it also. He and I are going to purchase and read the two other books so we can see how he overcame such a horrific childhood.

I've read your book many many times, and I have yet the urge to put it down. I'm sixteen and I have never felt so sad, and hurt as I felt when I was reading your book. After finishing reading this wonderful and inspirational book six times, I couldn't help but think that there are so many things Ii can do to help prevent abuse from happening. It takes time but it's a start. Your book has changed me for the better. It has set me straight on how lucky I am to be who I am today. I am such a big fan of your book and you as an author. Thank you for sharing your life.

I just finished the book and its very upsetting. As an 11 year old I thought it was horrible when I had to do the dishes, take out the trash, and go to school. Dave had it way worse. I can't imagine my mom doing such vile things to me, I still don't understand why he didn't call the police though. Perhaps he was afraid his mom would lie and then beat him more. I dearly love this book and recommend it deeply. This came from the life of a kid who almost got killed every day, and was called "The Boy" and worst of all an "it". I don't understand what kind of mom that would do such things, or what was going through her head when she did this. I'm reading the next book now. And to whoever said that " People lie, this is a fake blah blah blah" need to get a life. This kid went through 10 X what you went through. I'm still wondering what was going through his mom's head right then. Its horrible but such a good book. Recommend it definately.

I read this book after my two teenage daughters had read it and told me about it. I cried through the entire story and was haunted by it for many months. The three of us discussed it with each other almost on a daily basis for a very long time because none of us could get it out of our minds. At the time, my son was about the same age that Dave was when the abuse began and the three of us couldn't imagine that kind of horror being placed upon a boy of that age or any age, for that matter. Our hearts were broken by this book. I can tell you that my son was on the receiving end of so much extra love, kindness and attention from me and his sisters which has continued ever since. It is almost as if we were trying to make things right for Dave by doing that. Thank you Dave for telling your story and for giving so many people strength.

I have read this book and could not put it down,it made me cry so hard that my daughter came in and asked if i was alright.I told her about the book and she read it herself,she also agreed with me that it was one of the most upsetting books that we had ever read.Well done Dave for being so brave to write this sad story and for the way you applied yourself for a better life.Best wishes to you and your family.xx

I think this book teaches me to be happy for what I have and be happy that I have a mother that treats me the way she does. I also think every child should read this book cause they will really learn something