David James Pelzer is an American author of autobiographical and self-help books. He gained widespread recognition with his 1995 memoir A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive, which documented his experiences with childhood abuse. The book became a significant commercial success, appearing on The New York Times Best Seller list for several years and selling at least 1.6 million copies within five years of publication. While the memoir brought Pelzer considerable fame and readership, it has also been a source of ongoing controversy. Family members and journalists have raised questions about the accuracy of events described in the book, with some accusing Pelzer of fabricating or exaggerating certain incidents. Despite these disputes, the work has remained influential in discussions around childhood trauma and survival narratives.