This book chronicles the unforgettable account of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games–games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother’s games in order to survive because she no … longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an “it.” Dave’s bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive–dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.
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Even though I know it’s a true story, I can’t understand a mother who can do this to her own child!! Dave has endured and gone on to wonderful things (according to his follow-on books) and I so admire him. I HIGHLY recommend these books!!
I loved this book because I could relate to it in several ways and I think many others can too. I can’t wait to read it again.
Based on a true story loved how I couldn’t put it down have read it so many times I can’t remember I need my own copy of this beautiful tragic book.
The best book ever to be published
This book is a tragic masterpiece
Tragically sad. Read this when I was a kid and will never forget Dave’s story.
I COULDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CHILDS MOTHER TREATED HIM SO BADLY! BUT INSPITE OF IT ALL DAVID STILL LOVED HIS MOTHER!
A Boy called It.
I couldn’t put this book down, not even to wipe away my tears! The worst case of child abuse I have ever read, how did this chid survive with the most evil mother on earth!
This book opened my eyes to the extent of abuse that actually does happen to people.
This book is both a heartbreaking and inspirational read.
Being the child of foster care and abuse this book hit home.
It opens your eyes to some of the dark side of humans. A real true story, a must read I think. Dave Pelzer is a great survivor an writer.
This book taught me that there’s always hope even when things seem like hell.
This book was an amazing read. The way it is written, you can feel every moment this young boy lived. It was so sad and I could relate to alot of his words. It really hit home and gave me encouragement to speak about my up bringing.
David’s story broke my heart! It tells us that not all mothers deserve to be called “mother” and are not made of endless love. A book about the life of a little boy that is deeply abused and hated by his mother. It takes our breath away, not of joy, but horror. It is very well written and gives the reader lots of food for thought.
This is a true story book about the author, David, who was severely abused as a child from about age 6 to age 11. It tells the story of a child that spent most days starving, living in a cold basement, working chores until he couldn’t stand, and not even being called by his name. This became the 3rd worst case of child abuse in CA history.
I …
I liked it but at the same time I didn’t like. It took me way out of my comfort zone, because I was just appalled at how badly this child was treated. Yet, even though it was so very uncomfortable, I just had to keep reading, because I knew there had to be a happy ending in there somewhere! I just kept thinking, please Lord let this child’s …
This book is about what really happened to Dave Pelzer, but what happened was so horrifying that I kept thinking that it didn’t really happen. It is a book I reread often and every time I am shocked by the events that take place.
I thought it was such a good book that i recommend this book to who ever is going through a rough childhood.
The book was an instant page turner and a must read for anyone to help make sense of WHY CHILDREN DONT TELL. I read many other reviews of readers who want to know how a mother can do what Dave’s did. But in my mind, even more tragic was WHY HIS DAD DID NOTHING TO STOP THE ABUSE AND MADNESS! How this man, and father, allowed this to go on is beyond …
sad because he was beaten up by his own mother
This book broke my heart , I cant believe their is mothers out there who do this kind of cruelty