What is a child called it?

"A Child Called "It"" is a memoir by Dave Pelzer, published in 1995. It recounts Pelzer's horrific experiences of child abuse suffered at the hands of his alcoholic mother, Catherine Roerva Pelzer, in Daly City, California. The book details the escalating physical, emotional, and psychological abuse he endured from the ages of four to twelve, referring to her as "Mother."

Key themes explored in the book include:

The book generated significant controversy upon its release, with some questioning the accuracy of Pelzer's account. Despite this, it became a bestseller and brought increased awareness to the issue of child abuse. It is the first book in a trilogy, followed by "The Lost Boy" and "A Man Named Dave."