Questions on this topic? Just ask!

A Child Called It

Summary:   Discusses David Pelzer's autobiographical text, " A child Called it." Explores the issue of child abuse.

Unfortunately, there are child everywhere who endure a form of abuse. Some experience emotional abuse, others experience physical abuse. Other children, like David Pelzer are subjected to both. David had to grow up in a family of two alcoholic parents. He was severely beaten and tortured by his mother and was neglected by his father. David had to spend his childhood in fear of his life. His story gives others hope that they too can experience an abusive childhood and live to tell about it.

David Pelzer grew up in the most inhumane conditions imaginable. Both his mother and father were alcoholics. David's father avoided their house as much as possible, leaving David to deal with the wrath of his mother. His mother was a mean drunk and subjected David to terrible punishments. David received these punishments for doing nothing more than being alive. David had three other brothers who never once were abused. David's mother chose to only pick on him. Throughout his terrible childhood David somehow managed to maintain a hopeful outlook on life. He did have his periods of depression and doubtfulness, but he somehow kept his will to live.

A Child Called It is a book about a severe child abuse case in California. The book is written in first person by the author, David Pelzer. The main characters in this book include David, his father, his mother, and his three brothers. Other characters mentioned are his neighbors and teachers at school. He tells about his horrible childhood which is filled with neglect and abuse. As the book progresses so does the amount of abuse David receives from his mother. David was fortunate enough to remain hopeful throughout his abuse and was eventually taken from the custody of his mother. When talking David speaks calm at some times and with extreme rage at other times. David's mother is the only one who speaks slang in the book; this slang is usually the result of her being drunk. A Child Called It addresses the teen issues of alcoholism, neglect, and abuse.

I feel that David chose to write about the subjects of alcoholism, neglect, and abuse to let others know that they are not the only people who are dealing with these issues. I also feel that David wrote about these things to give children who are living or who have lived under the same conditions as him hope that they too can have a future. The issues he addressed relate to teens of the past as well as today's teens. Unfortunately, there are many children who have to grow up under terrible living conditions, just like David. The solution to their problem is to follow David's examples. David never lost hope and because of this he was able to survive in a situation that may have killed some children. I feel that David as an author depicted the issue accurately because it was something that he actually experienced. This book teaches how severe child abuse can actually be, which is new for some people. I feel that the author and myself share similar views once he realizes that what is happening to him is not right and is not his fault. If I were to write a book about this same issue I would approach it differently because I've never experienced anything like what he has. I would write my book based on interviews and research on the subject. A Child Called It addresses teen issues by relaying a real life experience to readers across the world.

While most children David's age were playing with trucks or kicking a ball around, he was in his bathroom being poisoned by ammonia. It's terrible to think that children can all be dealt such different cards. David did not do anything to deserve the treatment he received from his mother. Other children slept in their cozy beds, while he was sleeping on the garage floor. The book, A Child Called It, helps children everywhere to understand that they are not alone. It also helps them to understand that they have done nothing to deserve the terrible treatment they have received. This book may be sad, but it gives hope to those who would otherwise have none.