Preview
  • A Child Called 'It'

  • By: David Pelzer
  • Narrated by: Brian Keeler
  • Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,017 ratings)

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A Child Called 'It'

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

Dave Pelzer was brutally abused as a child by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother. She considered him a slave - no longer a boy, but an "it".

He was physically and mentally tortured and starved. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare he experienced behind closed doors, and his father was aware of the abuse but turned to denial and alcohol. The abuse only fueled a determination to survive and become stronger.

He eventually found amazing strength from his experiences: both in himself and other people.

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)

What listeners say about A Child Called 'It'

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Heartbreaking

There’s a special place for mothers like his. The Father was only slightly better. Too sad to know this type of thing goes on. My heart was breaking for the boy.

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Yup, sadly, a true story

There are other mothers that treat their kids the way this boy was in the book, and hopefully more victims open up and share their story to find a common theme to avoid future trauma on more children.

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A hard but must read

It took me so much longer to read this short book as it was packed with such trauma and turmoil I found myself having to set it down. What a triumph through tragedy to know that David was able to tell his own story having survived the unthinkable.

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A Must Read

What DVod experience, no child should go through. may we be aware and speak up if we feel child abuse is taking place.

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Hard to listen to!

A brutally honest portrayal of extreme child abuse, told by the victim. I thought my childhood was bad, but this made me think again.

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Great book one of my favorites. Truly inspirational

Love this book! Made me realize that others have had a harder childhood than I have.

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the person he looked up to the most did not help him in his time of dire need.

the fact he finally had a teacher that cared about him and helped him get out.

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SAD we live in a world child abuse still exists

abuse survivor and mom of adopted kiddos needing a safe landing reminder that abuse is still out there and only we can change the future

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Sad

My heart breaks you 💔 I don't understand how a mother can do that to her child,

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Cried

Broke my heart. I wish I could jump into the story and save him and get him far away from her.

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