A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive

A Child Called “It”: One Child’s Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer
Original ISBN 978-1-55874-366-3
Health Communications, 1995
184 pages

Plot Summary: This book is a memoir that agonizingly describes the tortuous physical and mental abuse Pelzer received from his mother at the ages of four to twelve in what has been called one of the worst cases of child abuse in California history. David was often starved, made to sleep on a cot in the garage, and told to spend hours in a bathtub of water. The abuse became more dangerous when his mother would lock him in a bathroom with a bucket of bleach and ammonia in what Dave called “the gas chamber game.”

Critical Evaluation: While this book is classified as a book for adults, the text is easily readable for pre-teens and teens. Pelzer states in the “Author’s Notes” of the book that “the tone and vocabulary reflect the age and wisdom of the child at that particular time” (p. xi). The ongoing descriptions of physical abuse endured by this boy are difficult to read at times.

Reader’s Annotation: Dave is no longer a person; he’s an “it” in his mother’s eyes. How does Dave live through the years of abuse and fear brought on by his mother?

Author Information: Pelzer was born in 1960. He has written three books that discuss his childhood including the child abuse he endured and his journey as a child in the foster care system. A Child Called “It” is book one of a trilogy. The second book, The Lost Boy: A Foster Child’s Search for the Love of a Family is based on Pelzer’s life from ages 12 to 18. The final book in the trilogy is called A Man Named Dave. All three are very popular with young adults. Pelzer has three additional books not mentioned in this section. He served for several years in the United States Air Force. He now works as a motivational speaker.

Pelzer was named to the 10 Outstanding Young Americans in 1993 and was a recipient of a 2005 National Jefferson Award.

His website can be found at http://www.davepelzer.com/

Genre: Nonfiction; Crossover; Memoir

Curriculum Ties: Family violence; Overcoming odds

Booktalking Ideas: I would read the first page of the book – two paragraphs that describe the fear Dave felt and the physical abuse he suffered on the day of his rescue.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grade 9 and up

Lexile: 850

Challenge Issues: There could be challenge issues due to offensive language and descriptions of abusive behavior mentioned in the book. The defense of any book begins with being familiar with the text and finding positive professional reviews, and noting any awards given to the book.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: This is the one book, fiction or nonfiction, which my high school students ask for by name.

References:

NoveList Plus. (2012). Retrieved from Persistent URL
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=neh&tg=UI&an=176013&site=novp-live