A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer

A Child Called "It"

This book details one of California's most severe child abuse cases. Dave Pelzer endured brutal beatings and starvation by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother. She subjected him to torturous, unpredictable games that nearly killed him. To survive, Dave had to adapt to her cruelty, as she no longer saw him as a son but as a slave, an "it."

His bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and filthy. When given food, it was spoiled scraps even dogs refused. The outside world was unaware of his suffering. With no one to turn to, his dreams of love and care kept him alive.