Book Report: A Child Called It

A Child Called It was so incredible that I couldn’t set it down. I believe Pelzer’s story of his great determination would inspire anyone that took the time to read it. Dave Pelzer’s story shows that as long as you believe in yourself to survive, and choose not to give up because of anything that everyone has the power of bettering themselves in any circumstance. This book is about one of the most severe child abuse cases in California. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother. Dave had a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she didn’t consider him her son, but her 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 dirty. When his mother let him eat, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps. Nobody knew anything of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to. Pelzer’s dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son was the only thing that kept him pushing to survive his mother’s irrational games. After reading this book makes me think twice about complaining about the little problems that I face in my life. It makes me realize how much I take everything that I have for granted without even thinking twice of how lucky I am. This book inspires me to better myself in every way possible.