2012 Puddly Awards
 
 
Follow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Google+Follow us on TumblrSubscribe to RSS


Recently Viewed clear list


Interviews | April 16, 2012

Jill Owens: IMG Leni Zumas: The Powells.com Interview



Leni ZumasLeni Zumas's writing crackles. Her books are sharp, bleak, funny, and possibly dangerous. When her collection of short stories, Farewell Navigator,... Continue »
  1. $11.17 Sale Trade Paper add to wish list

    The Listeners

    Leni Zumas 9781935639299

spacer
Ships free on qualified orders.
$6.95
Used Trade Paper
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
2 Beaverton Child Care and Parenting- Abuse and Safety Issues
30 Local Warehouse Abuse- Personal Stories

This title in other editions

A Child Called It

by Dave Pelzer

A Child Called It Cover

ISBN13: 9781558743663
ISBN10: 1558743669
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

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

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 39 comments:

sugar bear, March 14, 2012 (view all comments by sugar bear)
This book is the first of a trilogy. It is a very difficult read, because it is one of those books that just....stays with you.
When you are through reading this unbelievably true story ( it has to be true- you couldn't make this up) you will truly feel like you have been on a journey through hell and back.
This book is for Adults.
I would recommend that you read this book early in the day, so that you can work it off your mind by bedtime. This is not a bedtime book, believe me.
Once you begin reading it, you are hooked.
Dave Pelzer is most inspiring, and definitely one of my heroes- along with Elizabeth Smart.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
Jess18, January 1, 2012 (view all comments by Jess18)
Great book!! Very sad but keeps your attention threw out the story!! If you like books that are real life you will love this one!! Best book ever!!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
so.sweete, May 12, 2011 (view all comments by so.sweete)
To say that I had enjoyed reading A Child Called It would be an unrealistic statement. The book illustrates the horrors of child abuse and paints a clear yet disturbing image into the reader’s mind of one boy’s past with abusive perents. The first chapters describe a typical happy family: Mom, Dad, two older brothers, and Dave. Somewhere along the way, Pelzer describes his parents getting drunk and angry, and their relationship seemed to be falling apart. His father was never in the house, and his mother spent the days drunk on the couch. Inevitably, things went down a negative path. Pelzer describes how his mother and brothers acted toward him by reliving his past. “Mother smacked, punched and kicked me until I crumpled to the floor.” When talking to Dave’s brothers, his mother would refer to him as, “It” and, “The Boy.” Reading about Pelzer’s own childhood was saddening and sickening at the same time. The events were detailed in raw emotion and it was obvious. However heartbreaking the story is though, I think it was poorly written. The organizational structure didn’t flow and some parts seemed awkward and repetitive. Although descriptive, his stories did not provoke emotion in me. I felt bad for Pelzer, as anyone would, I just didn’t feel his pain in my heart as I know he would have felt. I’m interested in this subject and spreading awareness, which Pelzer does exceptionally, but for entertainment purposes it is not high quality. Unfortunately, this book would not be on my summer reading list.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
View all 39 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9781558743663
Author:
Pelzer, David J.
Author:
Pelzer, Dave
Author:
Pelzer,
Author:
Dave
Publisher:
Health Communications
Location:
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Subject:
General
Subject:
California
Subject:
Biography
Subject:
Abuse
Subject:
Abused children
Subject:
Foster home care
Subject:
Child abuse
Subject:
Specific Groups - Special Needs
Subject:
Children of alcoholics
Subject:
Family violence
Subject:
Adult
Subject:
Foster home care -- California.
Subject:
Abusive mothers.
Subject:
Child of Impaired Parents.
Subject:
Abuse - General
Subject:
General Self-Help
Subject:
Pelzer, David J.
Subject:
Abused children - California - Daly City
Subject:
Biography - General
Subject:
Self-Help : General
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Paperback
Series Volume:
3340
Publication Date:
September 1995
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
195
Dimensions:
7.5 x 5 in 0.5 lb

Other books you might like

  1. $12.99 Google eBooks add to wish list
  2. $5.50 Used Hardcover add to wish list
  3. $9.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    Speak

    Laurie Halse Anderson 9781429997041
  4. $7.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    Monster

    Walter Dean Myers 9780061975028
  5. $4.50 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    East

    Edith Pattou 9780152052218
  6. $5.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    The First Part Last

    Angela Johnson 9781439106587

Related Subjects


Biography » General
Health and Self-Help » Abuse » Child Abuse
Health and Self-Help » Abuse » Personal Stories
Health and Self-Help » Child Care and Parenting » Abuse and Safety Issues
Health and Self-Help » Self-Help » General
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Biography » General
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Health and Self-Help » Self-Help » General

A Child Called It Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$6.95 In Stock
Product details 195 pages Health Communications - English 9781558743663 Reviews:
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...



Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.