the book "A Child Called It"

Nicole
My son is 12 and recently started reading the book a child called it. This book has extreme child abuse as the main focus. I'm a bit uneasy that his teacher requested he read this book. Is 12 too young for this kind of material?
Update:  thank you for the feedback. I myself am a social worker and have read this book so  I know the contents and that is why I was a bit concerned. My son is on the autism spectrum so a very emotionally immature 12 year old. I caught him holding his hands in freezing cold water to "feel what the boy felt" that is how I learned he was reading this book.  Wish a letter would have been sent home.