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A
Child Called "It"
Author: Dave Pelzer Reviewed
by: Cheryl Smith
November 29, 2006
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A
college student recommended that I read A Child Called "It"
and for the rest of my life I will remember that student,
Jacquez, and the subject of the book, Dave Pelzer.
In A Child Called "It" Dave tells the story of being a little
boy who is severely abused by his mother, as his father and
siblings quietly watch, sometimes contributing to the abuse.
While some people get upset when teachers or neigh-bors intervene
by calling in Child Protective Services, Dave Pelzer's case
is a good example of too much wrong going on for way too long.
This book is sure to move readers. As he tells of the many
abuses he was subjected to, the reader will have feelings
of anger, disbelief, frustration and sadness.
A Child Called "It" is written in stages, where a young Dave
tells of how he was "rescued" from his abusive mother.
There were also the good times, as well as there were abuses
that he was subjected to from his peers as classmates verbally
taunted and physically abused him for years.
Readers will question time and time again the adults who were
in Dave's presence and seemed oblivious to his pain.
Thankfully there were some who noticed Dave's poor hygiene,
bruised body and his constant stealing of food.
Unfortunately, however, you don't find out what happens to
the savage woman who was his mother, or the sorry excuse of
a father who was, in my opinion, just as guilty for not intervening.
A Child Called "It" will leave a lasting impression on readers
and hopefully it will also encourage them to speak out when
they are faced with obvious signs of neglect and abuse.
While this book does not encourage over active imaginations
and does not justify running to Child Protective Services
with every "little thing," clearly in a case as severe as
Dave's someone should have spoken up a lot sooner.
If you have a book you would like reviewed, contact Cheryl
at csmith@dallasweekly.com
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