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Quizzes > Books & Literature

A Child Called It test: check your recall of Dave Pelzer's memoir

Quick, free Dave Pelzer book quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ethan Wells-SmithUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This A Child Called It quiz helps you check what you remember from Dave Pelzer's memoir, covering plot points, quotes, and themes. Work through brief questions, get instant feedback, and spot gaps before class or discussion. If you want another challenge, try the Freak the Mighty quiz or The Outsiders test next.

What is the real name of the narrator in "A Child Called It"?
Peter Pelzer
Michael Pelzer
John Pelzer
David Pelzer
Dave Pelzer is both the author and the narrator of "A Child Called It," recounting his own experiences. Throughout the memoir, he refers to himself by his real name, David Pelzer. The story presents his personal journey from childhood abuse to eventual rescue. For more information, see .
Where does the majority of the story in "A Child Called It" take place?
San Francisco
Daly City
San Diego
Los Angeles
The Pelzer family lived in Daly City, California, where most of the abuse described in the memoir occurred. The suburban setting becomes the backdrop for David's struggle and survival. Key events, including interventions by school staff, take place in that community. Learn more at .
Who is the primary abuser in the memoir?
Sister
Neighbor
Father
Mother
David's mother is depicted as the primary source of the physical and emotional abuse he endured. The memoir centers on her extreme treatment of him compared to his siblings. His father is largely absent and does not protect him. See details at .
What nickname does David's mother frequently call him in the book?
Dog
It
Rat
Pig
His mother repeatedly refers to him as "It," stripping away his identity and humanity. This cruel nickname underscores the dehumanization he suffered. The title of the memoir itself reflects this degrading label. Read more at .
What genre best describes "A Child Called It"?
Biography
Fiction
Memoir
Science Fiction
"A Child Called It" is a memoir, meaning it's a first-person account of actual events in the author's life. It chronicles David Pelzer's childhood experiences rather than presenting a fictionalized narrative. Memoirs focus on personal memories and reflections. Further reading at .
At approximately what age did David Pelzer begin to experience the severe abuse depicted in the memoir?
Six
Three
Four
Five
By the time he was four years old, David Pelzer was subjected to increasingly violent and demeaning abuse. His early childhood is marked by systematic mistreatment from his mother starting around that age. The timeline is central to understanding his vulnerability. Details are available at .
Who ultimately rescues David from his mother's abuse?
Police officer
Teacher
Father
Neighbor
After teachers report David's injuries, a police officer and child protective services intervene to remove him from his mother's care. This law enforcement action marks the end of his immediate abuse at home. His rescue begins the path to safety and foster care. More context at .
Which theme best encapsulates the narrative of "A Child Called It"?
Friendship
Fantasy
Survival
Revenge
Survival is the central theme, as David endures relentless abuse and uses inner strength to stay alive. The memoir focuses on how he copes physically and emotionally under dire circumstances. His resilience in the face of cruelty drives the story forward. See for more.
What form of punishment does David's mother frequently use to control him?
Grounding
No bedtime story
Starvation
Extra chores
David's mother often withholds food, leaving him starving for days as a brutal method of control. This extreme punishment highlights the depth of her cruelty and its impact on his health. Starvation scenes are among the most harrowing in the book. More details at .
How does David manage to get food at school despite his mother's starvation tactics?
Sneaks cafeteria food
Steals from teachers
Bribes classmates
Eats in secret at home
At school, David stealthily takes extra portions from the cafeteria line or from other children's trays to satisfy his hunger. This small act of defiance becomes crucial for his survival. The scenes illustrate both his resourcefulness and desperation. Refer to .
Which of David's siblings attempts to offer him help or show concern?
Norman
Nicole
Mary
Richard
Nicole, David's sister, occasionally shows him sympathy and tries to bring him small comforts. Although limited by fear and family dynamics, Nicole's concern provides brief relief. Her gestures underscore sibling bonds amid abuse. For background, see .
What lasting psychological effect does David describe as a result of his childhood abuse?
Bipolar disorder
Amnesia
Obsessive - compulsive disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
David's narrative details symptoms consistent with PTSD, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety. The memoir highlights how severe childhood trauma can leave long-term psychological scars. His eventual therapy and resilience reflect the struggle to overcome these effects. More at .
In what year was "A Child Called It" first published?
1998
1995
2000
1990
The memoir was first released in 1995 and quickly became a bestseller. Its publication brought attention to child abuse and inspired further volumes. The mid-1990s release date is often cited in literary references. See .
Which organization did David Pelzer establish to support child abuse prevention and recovery?
Children's Defense Fund
Save the Children
Childhelp
The Childhood Institute
David Pelzer founded The Childhood Institute to educate the public on child abuse and provide recovery resources. The organization conducts trainings, public speaking, and support programs. It stems directly from his personal mission to prevent abuse. For details, visit .
How does David's father react when he finally learns about the abuse?
Confronts his wife
Takes David on vacation
Leaves the family
Calls the police
Upon discovering the extent of the abuse, David's father abandons the family instead of intervening. His departure leaves David without a protective parent at home. This absence compounds the betrayal theme in the memoir. Read more at .
What is the symbolic significance of the full glass of milk that David finds at school?
Betrayal
Hope
Anger
Fear
The glass of milk represents unexpected kindness and the possibility of nurturing care outside his home. For David, it symbolizes hope that someone cares about his well-being. This small act contrasts sharply with his mother's cruelty. More insight at .
Which specific event finally triggers a formal investigation into David's situation?
Mother confesses abuse
David runs away
A teacher reports bruises
Father files a complaint
A vigilant teacher notices David's severe bruises and calls child protective services, initiating the formal investigation. This reporting fulfills the mandatory duty to protect students. It ultimately leads to his removal from the home. For background, see .
How does David's mother use hot water as a form of punishment?
Makes him clean the stove
Forces him to cook
Gives him hot drinks
Pours hot water on him
In one of the most harrowing scenes, David's mother intentionally pours scalding hot water over his head. This physical torture further illustrates the severity of her cruelty. The act leaves him in excruciating pain and is a pivotal moment in the memoir. More at .
Which coping mechanism does David describe using to endure the daily abuse?
Escaping to fantasies
Playing sports
Writing in a journal
Talking to himself
David often retreats into his own thoughts, talking to himself as a way to maintain sanity and hope. This internal dialogue helps him endure extreme loneliness and fear. The memoir highlights how self-talk became crucial to his mental survival. See .
David compares his life under his mother's control to which metaphor?
Safari
Carnival
Desert
Prison
David likens his existence in the house to being imprisoned, reflecting the lack of freedom and constant surveillance. This metaphor conveys both the physical and emotional captivity he endured. The comparison underscores the severity of his mother's control. For more, see .
Which profession did Dave Pelzer pursue that is frequently mentioned in his later life?
Architect
Chef
Lawyer
Motivational speaker
After sharing his story through books, Dave Pelzer became a renowned motivational speaker. He travels the world giving talks on resilience and overcoming adversity. His public speaking career stems directly from his experiences detailed in the memoir. More at .
Where does the pivotal confrontation between David's mother and authorities occur?
Backyard
Bedroom
Kitchen
Living room
The most dramatic confrontation takes place in the family kitchen, where authorities finally demand access to David. The kitchen setting heightens the tension as it contrasts a typical family space with the horror of the abuse. This scene leads directly to his removal from the home. Read more at .
Which title belongs to the sequel that continues David Pelzer's story?
The Lost Boy
My Story
A Man Named Dave
The Promise
"The Lost Boy" is the second installment in Dave Pelzer's memoir series, following his experiences after being removed from his mother's home. It documents his time in the foster care system and continued struggle for belonging. This sequel builds on the foundation of "A Child Called It." For details, see .
Which psychological concept most accurately explains David's focus on small privileges to survive?
Extinction
Resilience
Regression
Projection
Resilience refers to the ability to adapt and recover from adversity, which David demonstrates by clinging to any minor comfort as a lifeline. His capacity to endure extreme trauma by focusing on small successes exemplifies this concept. Psychological literature often cites his story as a case of childhood resilience. Learn more at .
In literary analysis, "A Child Called It" is frequently cited as an example of which narrative category?
Bildungsroman
Epic
Satire
Dystopian
A bildungsroman is a coming-of-age story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist. David's journey from abused child to empowered adult aligns with this narrative framework. Scholars often analyze the memoir within this genre. For further reading, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Major Themes -

    After completing the A Child Called It quiz, you'll grasp the book's core themes and how they drive the narrative.

  2. Recall Critical Events -

    Use good questions about A Child Called It to test your memory of pivotal scenes and plot points.

  3. Analyze Character Development -

    Examine how Dave's experiences shape his growth by answering targeted questions on A Child Called It.

  4. Evaluate Emotional Impact -

    Reflect on the story's emotional weight through best A Child Called It questions that highlight key moments.

  5. Apply Comprehension Skills -

    Respond confidently to 3 questions about the book A Child Called It, demonstrating deeper understanding of its narrative.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Theme of Survival and Resilience -

    Dave's journey from victim to survivor underscores key moments for good questions about A Child Called It, especially where small victories like sneaking food mark turning points. Use the mnemonic SAGE (Survival, Abuse, Growth, Empathy) to quickly recall these thematic pillars during an A Child Called It quiz. According to research from Stanford's English Department, such themes are central to understanding autobiographical resilience.

  2. Dave Pelzer's Character Arc -

    Tracing Dave's transformation from a frightened child to a determined young survivor helps you formulate 3 questions about the book A Child Called It that probe his emotional growth. For example, ask: "How does Dave's perception of his mother shift from chapter 1 to chapter 5?" - a type of question on A Child Called It that highlights dynamic characterization. Literary scholars at Oxford note this arc is a classic study in autobiographical development.

  3. Narrative Perspective and Structure -

    The first-person retrospective viewpoint invites readers to engage deeply in Chapters 3 - 5 and forms the basis of many questions on A Child Called It regarding reliability and memory. Recognizing where Dave's tone shifts - from fearful to hopeful - will strengthen your answers in any A Child Called It quiz. Johns Hopkins University's writing center highlights this dual timeline approach as a key study in memoir structure.

  4. Symbolism and Motifs -

    Objects like the "Star Trek" poster and the treasured slice of bread symbolize hope and humanity, offering fertile ground for best A Child Called It questions about metaphorical devices. Noting these motifs helps pinpoint how hope resurfaces amid trauma, as discussed in Yale's thematic symbolism studies. You can ask: "What does Dave's stolen hotdog represent?" to explore symbolic meaning.

  5. Psychological Context and Impact -

    Understanding the long-term effects of childhood abuse, as outlined in APA case studies, gives depth to questions on A Child Called It about trauma responses and coping strategies. Comparing Dave's reactions with clinical definitions of PTSD can inform nuanced quiz answers about his resilience. This approach is supported by research from the American Journal of Psychology, reinforcing academic credibility.

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