Summary

A Child Called "It'" by David Pelzer is a harrowing memoir that chronicles one of the most severe child abuse cases in California's history. Published in 1995, this New York Times bestseller details Pelzer's experiences of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his alcoholic mother from ages four to 12. The author's unflinching account of survival against overwhelming odds remains a powerful testament to human resilience and has sparked important conversations about child abuse and the foster care system.

Plot

Dave Pelzer's memoir A Child Called "It" chronicles his harrowing experiences of severe child abuse at the hands of his alcoholic mother. From ages four to 12, Pelzer endured unimaginable physical and emotional torment, as his mother no longer viewed him as a son but as a slave, referring to him as “it."

The book details the horrific abuse Pelzer suffered, including starvation, beatings, and dangerous “games” his mother would play. She forced him to drink ammonia, stabbed him, burned him on the stove, and made him eat his own vomit. Pelzer's father, though aware of the abuse, did not intervene and turned to alcohol himself. The young boy was relegated to sleeping on an army cot in the basement and wearing tattered clothes.

Throughout his ordeal, Pelzer clung to his dreams of someone rescuing him and showing him love. His determination to survive grew stronger in the face of the abuse. Finally, on March 5, 1973, Pelzer's teachers intervened, and he was removed from his home and placed in foster care, ending years of torment but leaving deep emotional scars.

Themes

• Survival and resilience
• Child abuse and neglect
• The power of hope
• Family dysfunction
• The failure of social systems
• The lasting effects of trauma
• Overcoming adversity

Setting

A Child Called “It” is set primarily in Daly City, California, a suburb of San Francisco, during the 1960s and early 1970s. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a working-class neighborhood, where the Pelzer family's modest home becomes the site of horrific abuse hidden from the outside world.

The era depicted in the memoir reflects a time of significant social change in America, with the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and counterculture all influencing the broader societal context. However, these larger events remain largely in the background as the narrative focuses intensely on David's personal experiences within the confines of his home and school.

While most of the abuse occurs within the family's house, other key settings include David's elementary school, where teachers eventually intervene, and the foster care system, where he is placed after being removed from his mother's custody. The contrast between the hellish environment of his home and the relative safety of these other spaces underscores the isolation and desperation of David's situation.

Characters

• Dave Pelzer: The main character and narrator, a young boy who suffers severe abuse at the hands of his alcoholic mother.
• Catherine Roerva Pelzer: Dave's mother and primary abuser, an unstable alcoholic who subjects him to extreme physical and emotional torture.
• Stephen Joseph Pelzer: Dave's father, a San Francisco firefighter who is largely absent and fails to intervene in the abuse.
• Ron: Dave's oldest brother, who sometimes participates in the abuse at their mother's urging.
• Stan: Dave's second oldest brother, who mostly ignores the abuse.
• Russell: Dave's younger brother, born during the period of abuse.
• Kevin: Dave's youngest brother, also born during the abuse.
• Miss Moss: A teacher who shows concern for Dave and eventually helps rescue him from the abusive situation.
• Mr. Hansen: The school principal who assists in Dave's rescue.
• Mr. Ziegler: Dave's math teacher who also notices signs of abuse and helps intervene.

Quick facts

• A Child Called “It” was one of the first books to bring widespread attention to the issue of severe child abuse.
• David Pelzer wrote his memoir as part of his own healing process from the trauma he experienced.
• The story is told from the perspective of Pelzer as a young child, using simple language to convey his experiences.
• Some family members and journalists have disputed the accuracy of certain events described in the book.
• A Child Called “It” is frequently used in school curricula to teach about child abuse and resilience.
• The memoir has been both critically acclaimed and deemed controversial due to its graphic depictions of abuse.
• A Child Called “It” spent more than three years on The New York Times bestseller list.
• The book has sold more than 1.6 million copies since its initial publication and has been translated into over 40 languages worldwide.
• Pelzer has written several follow-up books continuing his life story, including The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave.

About the author

David Pelzer is an American author and motivational speaker best known for his memoir A Child Called “It," which details his experiences of severe childhood abuse. Published in 1995, the book became an international bestseller, sparking a global conversation about child abuse and resilience.

Born into a troubled household, Pelzer endured years of mistreatment before being removed from his home at age 12 and placed in foster care. He joined the Air Force in 1979, marking the beginning of his journey towards personal growth and healing. Pelzer's experiences led him to become a vocal advocate for child abuse prevention and an inspirational figure for survivors.

Pelzer has been recognized for his work with personal commendations from four US Presidents. He was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 1993 and received the Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award in 1994. In 2005, Pelzer was presented with the National Jefferson Award, often considered the Pulitzer Prize for public service.