A Child Called It, by Dave Pelzer, is an autobiography of a young boy who is starved, beaten, and tortured by his mother. Despite this terrible beginning he manages to turn his life around. David uses his faith, a positive attitude, and determination to survive his mother's abuse. As an adult he won numerous awards, became a well- known speaker on child abuse, and had his own son whom he loved and cared for. David was beaten everyday as a child. He was skinny because he was constantly deprived of food, and was forced to be the family's slave. As time passes, David's punishments became more cruel and dangerous. David was forced to wear the same clothing each day, which made him an outcast at school because he smelled bad. This was just one way his mother humiliated him. David uses his courage and internal motivation to come out of the dark times and make a life for himself, which included a great deal of public speaking.