• A Child Called 'It'

  • One Child's Courage to Survive
  • By: David Pelzer
  • Narrated by: Brian Keeler
  • Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,709 ratings)

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A Child Called 'It'  By  cover art

A Child Called 'It'

By: David Pelzer
Narrated by: Brian Keeler
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Publisher's summary

Dave Pelzer's astonishing, disturbing account of his early years describes one of the most severe child-abuse cases in California history. This book spent over 175 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list and was also nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Dave was in first grade when his unstable alcoholic mother began attacking him. Until he was in fifth grade, she starved, beat, and psychologically ravaged her son. Eventually denying even his identity, Dave's mother called him an "it" instead of using his name. Relentlessly, she drove him to the brink of death before authorities finally stepped in. With faith and hope, Dave grew determined to survive. He also knew that he needed to share his story.

A Child Called "It" is the first of three books that chronicle his life. Through publications and public appearances, Dave is now recognized as one of the nation's most effective and respected speakers about child abuse.

Listen to the second book in David Pelzer's harrowing, multi-part memoir of child abuse: The Lost Boy.
©1995 David Pelzer (P)2001 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Pelzer's portrayal of domestic tyranny and eventual escape is unforgettable." ( School Library Journal)

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What listeners say about A Child Called 'It'

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,964
  • 4 Stars
    485
  • 3 Stars
    161
  • 2 Stars
    48
  • 1 Stars
    51
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,366
  • 4 Stars
    414
  • 3 Stars
    178
  • 2 Stars
    31
  • 1 Stars
    32
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,533
  • 4 Stars
    321
  • 3 Stars
    105
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    31

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good one

I read this book before listening to it. I knew it would be good and it was. I recomend this.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Too Sad....

Just a horribly sad story. I feel so bad for that poor child. How could a mother be that cruel? Listener beware: some of the incidents are utterly gross. Not for those with light stomachs. I truly hopes this helps educate others on child abuse. Other than that, I thought this was a heartfelt story of a child who overcomes all obstacles in the end. With that said, considering the story's main character was a boy, you'd think they'd try a get a narrator with a younger voice. Safe to say, I wasn't too keen on the narrator as I thought this one's voice was dull and boring.

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking

Being an adoptive and foster parent myself, this story is especially personal. Some have questioned the plausibility of David Pelzer’s account. I certainly can believe it may be all true and have heard similar stories in my area. Even if some of the details have been changed or slightly exaggerated, it’s really irrelevant. There’s no question that the abuse this boy suffered is very real.

Let this story inspire you to get involved! In my state alone there 1400 children in the foster care system looking for forever families.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Disturbing

I read this book a few years ago and nearly threw it out the window several times. Not because of the book itself, but because I couldn't take anymore descriptions of abuse.

I witnessed the abuse of my brother while growing up. It was not nearly as extreme as the authors but it brought back many memories.

For anyone that doubts the events in this book, please read the books written by the authors brother. When the author was removed, his brother became the target of their mothers abuse. He addresses and confirms many of the events in this and subsequent books.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

seriously emotional

What made the experience of listening to A Child Called 'It' the most enjoyable?

I'm not sure enjoyable is the best term for such a dark experience. It's an important book on a serious subject. It deeply affected me. I had a physical reaction to some of the horror described in this book. And yet its a book I would recommend to anyone who could stomach it.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Most Touching Book I will Ever Read

Would you consider the audio edition of A Child Called 'It' to be better than the print version?

I hate reading without someone reading to me, be cause of my dyslexia. It made me enjoy this book so much more.

What other book might you compare A Child Called 'It' to and why?

None. There isn't anything like it

What about Brian Keeler’s performance did you like?

He read with emotion

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried the first time and I will cry every time I read it.

Any additional comments?

I had a similar life, and he taught me to keep my head up because its not over til its over. I also want to thank him, for the wonderful book he wrote

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Real

Would you listen to A Child Called 'It' again? Why?

Definately. It holds your attention with a very real story.

Which character – as performed by Brian Keeler – was your favorite?

Dave Pelzer

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me cry.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, yet sad.

It's a very great book to read, but it's so sad, it touches your heart.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Marketing Abuse

I wish this were a better review, I really dp. The book happens to be extremely well written; it is compelling, powerful and moving.
So why not 5 stars?
The answer, in short, is that its too good; the recollection of what happened in first and second grade etc. is too vivid, and too exact. Can you recall verbatim dialogue from when you were 9? Maybe here or there, maybe once in a while, but day after day? And by extension, the recall of sequence of very specific events, sounds, smells, gestures, movements are presented in perfectly accurate detail...as if they just happened yesterday.

While I do not want to suggest that Pelzer did not go through hell, I am equally convinced that we live in a day and age when embellishment is confused for non-fiction, and we buy pretending its all real. This seems to also be the conclusion of a July 2002 NY Times Magazine article about Pelzer and his story.
I am therefore left sad; sad for his experience, and equally sad of the way we sometimes look to make money.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • C.
  • 02-01-08

Not worth your time and money

Not worth your time or money.

This book is advertised as an autobiography. However, it is little more than a fable written by someone who is not an author. This book is deceiving in its claim to be a true story; and even if it had claimed to being a fable, it would have been deceiving in its weak proses.

This audiobook is quite simply deceiving.

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4 people found this helpful