I was wondering if anyone here has read the book ''A Child Called It.''
by Dave Pelzer,OMG,I cried so much with this book.To those who
consider spanking a child when he or she has been bad,You are very
wrong!,I mean you don't what child abuse really is until you've read
this book, This book will make think about how lucky you are to
have parents that love you and call you their child. It's so gruesome
if you never read it, You need too. It's a story that will change
your live forever.Read it and see for yourself!

Spanking a child is not child abuse,Think about it. Have your parent's ever
did the following things to you.Below are things that Dave Pelzer's mother
did to him when he was a child.

- Made him swallow dishwashing soap and ammonia when he stole food.
- Made him submerge in freezing cold water.
-Burned his arms on a stove.
-Made him live and sleep in a frigid garage on an old army cot,
and with out any blankets.
- Stabbed him for not washing dishes on time.
So many other things too! :(

yes, a friend of mine read it last year. its a true story.

theanswerman:
yes, a friend of mine read it last year. its a true story.


Are you going to put me down everytime you post on this board? Forget
about the whole "tone of voice" thing and move on please.


what are you talking about? did i say anything to offend you?

theanswerman:
yes, a friend of mine read it last year. its a true story.


Are you going to put me down everytime you post on this board? Forget
about the whole "tone of voice" thing and move on please.



:confused:

Spanking a child is not child abuse,Think about it. Have your parent's ever
did the following things to you.Below are things that Dave Pelzer's mother
did to him when he was a child.

- Made him swallow dishwashing soap and ammonia when he stole food.
- Made him submerge in freezing cold water.
-Burned his arms on a stove.
-Made him live and sleep in a frigid garage on an old army cot,
and with out any blankets.
- Stabbed him for not washing dishes on time.
So many other things too! :(
:nod:
Now that's child abuse.
A swat on the behind is not!

Rebel Queen 1980:
Spanking a child is not child abuse,Think about it. Have your parent's ever
did the following things to you.Below are things that Dave Pelzer's mother
did to him when he was a child.

- Made him swallow dishwashing soap and ammonia when he stole food.
- Made him submerge in freezing cold water.
-Burned his arms on a stove.
-Made him live and sleep in a frigid garage on an old army cot,
and with out any blankets.
- Stabbed him for not washing dishes on time.
So many other things too!


First you say spanking a child is child abuse, now you say it isn't-make
up your mind, Rebel Queen 1980.


i think that she is comparing them. compared to all the things that happened to the boy, spanking is nothing.

oh, lolz its in my signature. i forgot it was even in there. if it will stop your bitching, it will be taken out :))

That is such a sad book.

theanswerman:
what are you talking about? did i say anything to offend you?


I am talking about the comment I made to you about speaking to me in a
better tone of voice. It seems every time you post a reply to someone,
you include that in your posts for reference. Please forget about it and
move on.

Dude, get over it.

Spanking a child is not child abuse,Think about it. Have your parent's ever
did the following things to you.Below are things that Dave Pelzer's mother
did to him when he was a child.

- Made him swallow dishwashing soap and ammonia when he stole food.
- Made him submerge in freezing cold water.
-Burned his arms on a stove.
-Made him live and sleep in a frigid garage on an old army cot,
and with out any blankets.
- Stabbed him for not washing dishes on time.
So many other things too! :(
My child care teacher told us a similar true story about a six year old who was eventually abused to death for not being able to count to 20 or recite the alphabet correctly. some things his step dad would do to him if he made a mistake..

- pour battery acid on him
- throw him in the dryer and turn it on
- pull his teeth out
- tear an electric cord in half and put it on his arm
- lock him in the closet for days at a time

eventually, his step dad picked him up and threw him on the floor, and he was so weak from starving he didn't survive. child abuse is so awful, people seem to think children are like dolls and they can just throw them out when they get tired of them. i've heard of a child called it, i'm interested in reading it.

theanswerman:
what are you talking about? did i say anything to offend you?


I am talking about the comment I made to you about speaking to me in a
better tone of voice. It seems every time you post a reply to someone,
you include that in your posts for reference. Please forget about it and
move on.

It's called a signature.

I'm not reading it at the moment, but I'm reading Pelzer's sequel to that book- it's called "A Lost Boy" and chronicles his life from the age of 11 to...18, I think? I'm almost done with it. I also checked out the third book- "A Man Named Dave Pelzer."

I -really- want to read "A Child Called It." Unfortunately, it's a popular book to check out at the library, and they didn't have it when I went there the last time. :o

You can paperback editions at Barnes & Noble or other bookstores.

You can paperback editions at Barnes & Noble or other bookstores.
Nah, my relatives have a copy so I'll just mooch one off them. ;)

I have read all 3 books. There was supposed to be a TV movie made based on these books last Fall but it never happened! Hopefully it got delayed and is still in the works! An intriguing story! After reading the last book I am happy to report that Dave survived his childhood and is a productive level- headed man today! Yay Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheers: :clap:

It's so sad,I think everyone should that book,well maybe except those
who have kids,My mom refused to read it,but her and my dad would
always question me about the mother in the story everytime I finish
a chapter,Every you ever cussed your parents out for grounding you
or anything,Once you read this book,Believe me you'll want to apologize!

It is a very powerful book. The best on is the last one, "A man called Dave".

I cried... lots.

The Chapter that makes you really think is the second one called
'' Good Times.'',When Dave talks about parents and compares them
to Mike and Carol Brady,always vacationing,going on picnics, etc.
and then all of sudden his mother becomes a monster. It makes
you reflect and think was my past good to me and is my future
as really has bad as it seems. It really makes you think.

My child care teacher told us a similar true story about a six year old who was eventually abused to death for not being able to count to 20 or recite the alphabet correctly. some things his step dad would do to him if he made a mistake..

- pour battery acid on him
- throw him in the dryer and turn it on
- pull his teeth out
- tear an electric cord in half and put it on his arm
- lock him in the closet for days at a time

eventually, his step dad picked him up and threw him on the floor, and he was so weak from starving he didn't survive. child abuse is so awful, people seem to think children are like dolls and they can just throw them out when they get tired of them. i've heard of a child called it, i'm interested in reading it.

I really wish we could take parents like that to a shooting range and declare open season.

Dave's mother also did this to him

- Made him eat the contents of his brother's soiled diapers
-Fed him spoiled scraps for dinner,scraps that not even dogs would eat.
-Made him rollerskate in freezing weather down his neighborhood street,
wearing on a torn shirt and a pair of shorts.
-Made him wash dishes in water so hot it could burn skin off his fingers.

Rebel Queen 1980:
The Chapter that makes you really think is the second one called "Good Times.'',When Dave talks about parents and compares them
to Mike and Carol Brady,always vacationing,going on picnics, etc.
and then all of sudden his mother becomes a monster. It makes
you reflect and think was my past good to me and is my future
as really has bad as it seems. It really makes you think


How can a mother so wonderful turn into a mother so evil? Where did all this
take place, and what ended up happening to the mother?

I guess the late 1960's in Daly City,California,Dave's mother become an
alcoholic,and very mentally unstable,He was rescued in 1973.

I have Pelzer's new book "the Priveledge of Youth" and I've read his other books. They are very sad.

I really wish we could take parents like that to a shooting range and declare open season.
amen!

I think if that you have kids you should be a good person,and treat with
respect,Funny how the Ten Commandments say Honor Thy Mother and
Thy Father, God should also said As Mother and Father, Honor Thy Children.
Why do so many people become parents and not want to love and take
care of their kids,I think you that if you want to act that way towards
a child then you don't deserve to have any children at all.

Why do so many people become parents and not want to love and take
care of their kids,I think you that if you want to act that way towards
a child then you don't deserve to have any children at all.

Why...because mother nature in her infinite wisdom (Sarcasm) made sex pleasurable for humans, and it's fairly easy for many women to get pregnant, so people do it all the time, get pregnant despite their character, and that's why we have so many problems. If humans were like some animals who only mate because it's a certain time of year, not because it's fun, then the problem might be cut down some.

Of course, some scientist would have invented a way around that and we'd be back at square one.

:crying:

I have the whole series but haven't read them yet but plan on it sometime in the near future when I really have the time. He was on "Oprah" once and I watched it and was sad and couldn't believe what his mother did to him.

today we watched this movie in sociology about this girl "genie" who had two elderly parents, her father was abusive to both the girl and the mother, as was the mother and the mother was blind on top of this. but yeah, so the father decided that the girl was mentally ******** when she was an infant (even though she wasnt) and literally locked her in her room for 10 years where he tied her to a potty chair for a large portion of this time. when the social worker found the girl she had a limp and couldnt speak or understand language, right after she was found, the father killed himself. but anyways it was quite remarkable how they taught her words and she was ableto learn a lot, but she was never able to be taught language properly. one thing i found riduclous is after awhile of research, they gave the girl BACK to her mother, whose even more elderly and blind...yeah that didn't last long, she went in and out of other foster homes, and currently resides in a group home. sad.

Dawsongirl:I really wish we could take parents like that to a shooting range and declare open season.


Yes, but if we did that, we would be vigilantes, no better than those types
of parents when you look at it.

thankyou jesus for your insight.

today we watched this movie in sociology about this girl "genie" who had two elderly parents, her father was abusive to both the girl and the mother, as was the mother and the mother was blind on top of this. but yeah, so the father decided that the girl was mentally ******** when she was an infant (even though she wasnt) and literally locked her in her room for 10 years where he tied her to a potty chair for a large portion of this time. when the social worker found the girl she had a limp and couldnt speak or understand language, right after she was found, the father killed himself. but anyways it was quite remarkable how they taught her words and she was ableto learn a lot, but she was never able to be taught language properly. one thing i found riduclous is after awhile of research, they gave the girl BACK to her mother, whose even more elderly and blind...yeah that didn't last long, she went in and out of other foster homes, and currently resides in a group home. sad.

ohno:

It's so sad that when kids are slower and their parents don't want have
anything to with them or even love them. I guess that's why alot of
kids turn to crime,gangs,drugs,etc.I hope they keep building more shelters
where kids who are unloved can be sent to instead of abused.

Georgia's on my Mind:
thankyou jesus for your insight.


Again you seem to mock the fact that I am a christian.
I am Christian too, so if you were correct then I would also be mocking myself. I was mocking your holier-than-thou attitude and your matter of fact inflection.

Georgia's on my Mind:
thankyou jesus for your insight.


Again you seem to mock the fact that I am a christian.

i'm sorry, but you make me sick! You give Christian's an aweful rep. Being a Christian doesn't include beating people w/ a Bible until they can't see straight. It includes showing the love of Jesus through you; you are suppose to strive to be like Jesus; no where in the Bible does it say "And the Lord harrased them w/ replies about how they were making fun of them." No one is making fun of you because you are a Christian; people make fun of you because you are annoying. I've been here, what, two months and I can already tell you that. Maybe if you open your eyes and stop hiding behind your religion, you will see that too.

and quick note: yes, i am a Christian, so you can keep that card in your deck

i'm sorry, but you make me sick! You give Christian's an aweful rep. Being a Christian doesn't include beating people w/ a Bible until they can't see straight. It includes showing the love of Jesus through you; you are suppose to strive to be like Jesus; no where in the Bible does it say "And the Lord harrased them w/ replies about how they were making fun of them." No one is making fun of you because you are a Christian; people make fun of you because you are annoying. I've been here, what, two months and I can already tell you that. Maybe if you open your eyes and stop hiding behind your religion, you will see that too.
amen.

Georgia's on my Mind:
thankyou jesus for your insight.


Again you seem to mock the fact that I am a christian.
you're paranoid about people "mocking" your christianity.

NO ONE CARES WHETHER YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN OR JEW OR ATHEIST OR BUDDIST OR WICCAN.

you're paranoid about people "mocking" your christianity.

NO ONE CARES WHETHER YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN OR JEW OR ATHEIST OR BUDDIST OR WICCAN.
:clap: :rock:

I've seen the whole everyone's-picking-on-me-for-my-religion trip, been there, done that, it's old. No one's picking on anyone unless they have done something that's gonna get picked on.

So what does everyone think about the book "A Child Called It"? I've read it, it's excellent.

i got "a child called it" today and i already finished it. very sad. makes you wonder how you would deal with that fat old bitch.

Guys,

I don't have the book. However, stories like that are very hard for me to read because I have a weak stomach and don't like to see anyone suffer. I heard/read about some of David's story doing on-line searches.

I do have two questions:

1.) Was the mother ever prosecuted and convicted for the crimes she had done?

2.) Is she still alive?

Jack

Guys,

I don't have the book. However, stories like that are very hard for me to read because I have a weak stomach and don't like to see anyone suffer. I heard/read about some of David's story doing on-line searches.

I do have two questions:

1.) Was the mother ever prosecuted and convicted for the crimes she had done?

2.) Is she still alive?

JackActually, as I have read all three books and starting his fourth, I don't think she ever was. His mother is no longer alive. She definitely had something wrong with her, he found out.

Yeah I read it....it's the saddest thing I've ever read :(

I read that book and I must have cried throughout the entire story! That is so sad. I don't know how that child's father could just stand there and watch this mother beat her child almost to death. I also don't understand why the mother only beat this one son, not her others. But, child abuse can be so scary.

I read that book and I must have cried throughout the entire story! That is so sad. I don't know how that child's father could just stand there and watch this mother beat her child almost to death. I also don't understand why the mother only beat this one son, not her others. But, child abuse can be so scary.

I cried too :(

And I also wondered why she was only mean to David, too :(

But David's mother threatened that if they talked to David or treated him
right that she would also give the same treatment that David got. :(

But David's mother threatened that if they talked to David or treated him
right that she would also give the same treatment that David got. :(

Oh :(

But David's mother threatened that if they talked to David or treated him
right that she would also give the same treatment that David got. :(

I haven't read the book, but that's what I heard. I think he said that when he was on Oprah. It just baffles me a lot WHY was only HE treated that way. Why not all the children? I'm not saying that they should all be treated like that- none of them should be, but it's still really weird.

I haven't read the book, but that's what I heard. I think he said that when he was on Oprah. It just baffles me a lot WHY was only HE treated that way. Why not all the children? I'm not saying that they should all be treated like that- none of them should be, but it's still really weird.
correct me if i'm wrong, its' been a while since i read it, but I think she viewed David as the reason her relationship w/ her husband went down hill... now why she thought that, i can't remember

Yes,you're correct,She says that before she burns his arm on the stove.

I"ve never read the book and I would find it difficult to do so.

As a parent there are many different tasks and obstacles that would can overwhelm you. But there is nothing that even comes close to leading you to sadistic abuse. Nothing.

Seriously, if that women was alive I would punch her square in the face.

Imagine how her son feels.

The woman was Evil. No excuses please! There is no excuse for what she put that poor child through! :mad:

Imagine how her son feels.

In "A man called David" he says that he forgave his mother and realizes that she has a problem. Instead of sulking and turning to self pity he really turned his life around, turned into an inspiration, and him and his wife have a son (not sure if they have more than that) that he talks about in his book, and how he could never imagine treating his son the way his mother treated him.

I think it's just incredible how he was about to rise above this. I would be bitter.

The woman was Evil. No excuses please! There is no excuse for what she put that poor child through! :mad:
amen!

That is true.David is a now a father today and has a teenage son,Stephen
who named after his father.Stephen is so lucky today to even have a loving
caring father,It's such a blessing from God that David did not put the same
cruelty and deadly torture today on Stephen.

That is true.David is a now a father today and has a teenage son,Stephen
who named after his father.Stephen is so lucky today to even have a loving
caring father,It's such a blessing from God that David did not put the same
cruelty and deadly torture today on Stephen.

My mum has 'A Child Called It' and my sister is reading it. It looks really good but i know i will cry.
When my friends mum was little she had 2 older brothers and the oldest said
"What is (some question i cant remember) and if you will get it wrong, i will wee on you"
and my friends mum said "What are you talking about?"
So he wee'd on her. I thought that was sad but thats not even half of the pain David went through. I really want to read the book but my sister wont let me :mad:

In "A man called David" he says that he forgave his mother and realizes that she has a problem. Instead of sulking and turning to self pity he really turned his life around, turned into an inspiration, and him and his wife have a son (not sure if they have more than that) that he talks about in his book, and how he could never imagine treating his son the way his mother treated him.

I think it's just incredible how he was about to rise above this. I would be bitter.

I would be horrible if my mum would do that when shes older. I would neber talk to her again. But i love my mum lol. But if she was like that woman i would of told her to go to hell. :mad:

My mum isn't like that though and im seriously glad. :)

I haven't read the book, and I don't think I'd be able to. Just reading this THREAD depresses me.

I had to read this book for a child abuse course in teachers college.

*Book Spoilers*

One part of the book that really shocked me was how such a family particularly the mother that seemed so normal early on, turned so abusive. The book mentions that David’s father and mother started having arguments, and that his father started working longer hours at work. All this resulted in David’s mother turning to alcohol, singling him out and deciding to torture him for being what she termed a “bad boy.”

Another aspect that disturbed me was how David’s father and siblings reacted to the situation as if it were normal. Even despite showing some caring towards David throughout his abuse, his father chose to do nothing about it. The abuse also did not affect David’s father’s decision to have more kids. David’s father and mother decided to have two more children during the time David was being abused. One of his younger brothers was also brainwashed into thinking there was nothing wrong with such abuse. I think the fact that his father and siblings chose to do nothing about the situation was abuse in itself. I blame them just as equally as David’s mother for letting her get away with such a hideous crime.

After reading David’s story it has educated me as an educator to not jump to conclusions when it comes to making judgements toward students. Throughout his childhood David was forced to steal foods from his classmates because he was hungry. He was also coined a “problem child” by some of his teachers. David’s behavior was clearly a result of the circumstances that were going on in his home life

I was wondering if anyone here has read the book ''A Child Called It.''
by Dave Pelzer,OMG,I cried so much with this book.To those who
consider spanking a child when he or she has been bad,You are very
wrong!,I mean you don't what child abuse really is until you've read
this book, This book will make think about how lucky you are to
have parents that love you and call you their child. It's so gruesome
if you never read it, You need too. It's a story that will change
your live forever.Read it and see for yourself!
_________________________________________________________________

I bought it along with the others that follow but haven't read them yet.
I remember, "Dave Pelzer" was on (Oprah) once talking about how he was
treated and everything; it was quite sad and I felt so bad for him.

I plan on reading them one day; just don't know when yet cause I'm pretty busy and now that I'm planning on going back to school in the fall; I won't have much time to read anything but the books for my courses, etc....

My 20 year old cousin said he read it in 4th grade for class. No one in the class could handle it he said lots of people would put the book down and start crying. My brother told me about the book at it sounds really sad. I skimmed through it and almost felt like just breaking down and crying.

http://www.davepelzer.com/