A Child called "it" and The lost boy
David J. Pelzer
A Child called "it" and The lost boy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
One Child's Courage to Survive
by David J. Pelzer
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Some stories are so powerful, they change the way we see the world. This is the story of one boy’s courage against unimaginable hardships at home. It shows how hope can shine even in the darkest times—and why standing up matters.
Quick Assessment
This book is a gripping and emotional portrayal of child abuse and survival, based on true events. It is suitable for mature middle-grade readers (ages 9-12) who can handle intense themes of family violence and trauma. Parents should be aware that the story contains difficult subject matter including abuse and family dysfunction, but it ultimately conveys messages of resilience and hope.
Why we rated A Child called "it" and The lost boy 11IP
A Child called "it" and The lost boy is written at a Level 6 reading level across 294 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A Child called "it" and The lost boy works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate A Child called "it" and The lost boy as 11IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Emotional: Abuse, Emotional: Family Violence, Emotional: Trauma.
Thematically, A Child called "it" and The lost boy explores family, survival, resilience, abuse, and childhood trauma — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, survival, resilience.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780739400616
- Pages
- 294
- Publisher
- Health Communications
- Published
- 1995
- Type
- Nonfiction