Pelzer, D. (1995). A child called "it:" An abused child's journey from victim to victor. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications
What an absolute heart-wrenching book! Dave Pelzer's informational book series about his account of his childhood is not for the weak at heart. This book contains Pelzer's account of the abuse, physical and emotional, that he endured under his alcoholic mother.
Pelzer's story provides vivid detail in such a way that the reader wants fight for him. For instance, as Pelzer relives stories about only receiving food, scraps, that even the dog refused, the reader just wants to take the child home and take care of him themselves. Pelzer discusses having to eat his own vomit or being forced to swallow ammonia and clorox. As a reader, you begin to feel so strongly for Dave that you almost agree with him when he begins to wish his mother would just kill him.
It is Pelzer's own will to survive that makes the reader begin rooting for him.You celebrate in Pelzer's accomplishments with him throughout the book. For example, when he prevents his mother from burning him on the stove or he is able to sneak into the freezer and get a full frozen dinner. You become so involved with little Dave Pelzer that, dispute the brutality, you contain to read, hoping and praying that a rescue is only a page away.
Pelzer went on to write a sequel called "The Lost Boy" which picks up with Dave in foster care.
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