Continuing life story of Dave Pelzer aka A child called it

I hope I can do this review justice as I have followed Pelzer's books and read his case history (which has become required reading within almost all states' child protective service offices). This story is told in the first person; there is no tone to the autobiographical tale and the writing is college-level (the author allows no editing to his books other than grammatical and spelling checks)

David Pelzer is a survivor of horrific and almost unbelievable child abuse. Belzer was rescued by his teachers and eventually the state of Missouri after years of physical and mental abuse and neglect at the hands of his alcoholic mother and his abuse was completely ignored by his alcoholic father who witnesses the abuse but does nothing to stop it.

His previous books, A child called it, The lost Boy, and A man called Dave chronicle his life of abuse and his life after being rescued. This book dealt with his teenage years; more importantly, with the years leading up to Pelzer becoming a man.

Pelzer begins his tale The privilege of youth by relating his current hectic, obsessive work schedule which includes motivation speeches, radio and television interviews, book tours, and a myriad of other pursuits in the hopes of eradicating or at least educating the country about child abuse and the ability to overcome the past.

He learns of the death of his "father", the father of his first best friend. He begins the story by relating his tale of living in a succession of foster homes before landing on Duinsmoore Way in Suburban Park, San Francisco California.

Pelzer was a shy, arkward, socially inept pre-teen who suffered at the hands of the children in every school he transferred to while shuffling around in the foster system. He was constantly bullied, robbed and assaulted by virtually every boy for being different; for being a foster child.

When he was finally placed with the Welshes, they moved Pelzer to Duinsmoore Way; a bedroom community that was a family instead of just a series of neighbors. He was finally in a safe place; he relates how he treasured the serenity of Duinsmoore Way. It was to become his sanctuary and he was to belong to a family; extended, mismatched, absurdly abnormal and yet, very normal, David Pelzer had found a home.

Pelzer relates to us his search for a sense of belonging; the ultimate goal of every displaced child. He wanted nothing more than to be like every other child, but he knew he was different.

For one thing, Pelzer became obsessed with working and saving every penny for the day when he aged out of the foster system. He started a frenzy of low wage jobs in order to prevent himself from ever becoming homeless and destitute.

This self preservation is quite common among long term foster children; after the child reaches the age of majority, usually 18, the foster system no longer pays support to the foster family. The "adult' must then fend for themselves unless the foster parent is willing to allow the "adult" to remain in their home. There are now halfway houses in some states that have been enacted in order to combat this problem. These teenagers have been virtually abandoned at times from their birth families and raised by a system of group homes, or juvenile halls, or foster homes and have no real world experiences or the skills needed to survive on their own.

Pelzer went to school full time and worked full time; he did not want to become a statistic. When he moved into Duinsmoore Way, Pelzer was granted a chance at a real childhood. He connected with two other boys similar to himself and they began a three musketeers trek into manhood.

This journey included the recklessness abandon of youth; the wild and frenzied attempt at staving off adulthood. Pelzer embraced this life quickly and was a boy. He was not a scared little boy of his youth; nor was he trying to grow up too fast. He was making up for lost time and sharing his life with those of Duinsmoore Way.

Although some of the families ostracized Pelzer for being a foster child, most welcomed him into their fold without regards to his past. He found father figures and mentors who allowed this teenager to flourish and grow; they guided him into manhood with subtle guidance (and more than an occasional whack across the melon...which all teenagers need once in a while!!).

He related to the reader of his march toward maturity with his subtle humor and sometimes harsh realities of his past. Pelzer manages to make you shake your head at the impetuousness of teenage boys and cry at the same time.

His adds three perspective writings of his most influential counselors from Duinsmoore Way in his epilogue. These writings, since they are not from the teenager all grown up, but from a parental, adult perspective, add just a bit to his story. I felt they could have been omitted but it's his book and he wanted a tribute to his mentors.

This book lovingly portrays the continuing struggle of a boy into manhood after surviving a childhood that would kill most people. His search for acceptance and friendship is not only a tribute to himself, but a handbook for those needed to do more than just survive: to live and love and laugh.

I have heard Pelzer speak on the radio and on television and in person; he is truly a remarkable man whose goal and purpose is to teach others how to overcome adversity and hardship. This book allows the reader insight into the teenage boy's mind and into David Pelzer's mind; a teenager whose needs remind us all that we need love to survive and thrive.

This book did not have me weeping as his other books mentioned above did; instead, I was rooting for the young man to become a man. I was a bit disappointed that he grazed over his entry into early adulthood and went into his marriage, though. I feel that there was more to say since he left home to join the Air Force and five years later, he's married with child...fast forward to the death of his mentor and "father".

Pelzer could probably cover that story in another book if he had the time! He is an inspiration to all who have heard him speak and read his books. This man has a true purpose on this earth; he earns my respect and my support.

If you're looking for a story of heroism without the gore of violence and romance, this book will provide you with the feeling that all things are possible and that no matter what is going on in your life, someone else has it tougher...and someone else has survived worse.