Rating: 
Summary: This is a profoundly moving story
Review: Little boys are supposed to run like the wind, play with abandonment, and laugh often and hard.But, the little boy in this story, The Lost Boy, lives in fear, eats out of garbage cans, and endures torturous beatings at the hands of a woman, who is his mother. David cried tears of joy and freedom on the day he was removed from the clutches of his alcoholic mother. But, now he begins the difficult journey of freeing himself from the grips of his past and finding a new home where he can be nurtured and loved. David's journey takes him into the foster care system where he bounces from home to home in search of his dream to be a part of a caring family. This is a profoundly moving story which speaks volumes about one boy's resilience, courage, and perseverance in spite of odds which often seemed overwhelming. It is a telling account of a childhood no child should have to live. It left me angry and frustrated, yet joyous that David was not only able to survive, but to flourish and succeed, as well. The Lost Boy is a book which everyone should read at least once to gain a better understanding of both the effects of childhood abuse, and our system for finding new beginnings for lost children.
Rating:
Summary: This is a realy good book to read.
Review: I thought that this was a good book becaus it tell how growing up in foster care can be hard. I think that every one who gets the chance to read this book should becasuse this is a good book to read. It makes you stop and think what growing up as a foster child realy fells likes.
Rating:
Summary: MUST READ
Review: THE STORY OF DAVID PELZER'S HORRIBLE SO-CALLED CHILHOOD SHOULD BRING TO MIND THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL WORK IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN NEED TO COME FIRST. WE NEED TO INVEST IN THIS OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE, THE CHILDREN. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO INVEST IN CHILDCARE, SOCIAL WORK, HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN AND OTHER RELATED PROGRAMS. HOW A CHILD IN DAVE'S SITUATION COULD BE ALLOWED TO BE PUT THROUGH THIS TYPE OF HORROR SHOULD PUT EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY TO SHAME. THIS CAN NO LONGER BE TOLERATED, SOMETHING MUST BE DONE AND EVERYONE MUST CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING THE CHILDREN. IF ADULTS DON'T PROTECT THEM WHO WILL? DAVE, IF YOU READ THIS, GOD BLESS YOU.
Rating:
Summary: Very moving and touching story of survival.
Review: Once I picked up "The Lost Boy" I became so engrossed in the story I couldn't put it down. I was shocked and bothered by the way Dave's mother abused him. As I was reading, I kept asking myself, why would a mother do what she did to Dave? And how could his father sit back and allow this to happen? I kept wondering what caused this mother to be so abusive to this one child of hers and not her other children. What did this child ever do wrong? I thought the book was very effective being told through Dave's perspective. Reading the book through his eyes and emotions made you realize the pain and anguish he suffered. I felt both angry and sad reading "The Lost Boy". I had tears in my eyes throughout the book. I was angry with his parents, especially his mother. I felt sad for all the things Dave had to experience as a child in order to be accepted into a family that would love him. No child should ever have to face what Dave did. I think he was a very strong and brave person. I give him a lot of credit for perservering to live and in finding a family who loves him.
Rating:
Summary: The Lost Boy/A child called It
Review: I loved both "A Child Called It" and the Lost Boy". One day i would like to become a Psychologist and i never read, but this book was so incredible that i was able to b/c it was inspiring and as well as nonfictional. No one can really say that this is a good/bad book b/c it really is a life story not anyone could change what happens, but it was great to see the outcome and this has inspired many people not to give up hope in life.
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Summary: The flip-side dimension to social work
Review: To read any of David Pelzer's books is indeed a moving experience. The emotional impact of "A Boy Called 'It'" is felt by most who read it. For those who are looking for continued emotional shock are best re-reading the first one. However, the genius of this book is one sees first hand what a journey through the social work system can entail. As any professional who has dealt with the system knows, it can be very frustrating. However, this book demonstrates how many kids are out there in need of placements, and how there are too many kids, but not enough placements. Most importantly, David Pelzer illustrates the heart of human survival. There is a very important message from both books that every professional who works with children should pick up...even the hardest of children should not be written off. As a professional who has seen the most despondent of children, I would jump at the opportunity for Mr. Pelzer to speak at our school. David had to find his strength within himself, many children are not as fortunate. However, if we teach children how to tap their inner strength, success is indeed...very feasible, as Mr. Pelzer exemplifies.
Rating: 
Summary: It has a nice touch of reality that is often ignored
Review: I must admit that I was very skeptical of Dave's book when I first thought of reading it. I like Dave, was abused both sexually and physically and spent 16 years in foster care as a ward of New York State. I could related so much with what he wrote about, expecially his resilience, and ability to survive. I found the book to be very truthful, and I can say that for I have been their, somethings I find one can not fabricate, and his discription of his journey in the system is one of them. I was very impressed with his ability to compliment those that helped him walk the dark road of foster care, and mature into a "healthy" adult. I must admit that I was very amazed by his ability to recall all the events and details of his youth. I know how painful it can be and how difficult it can be to recal the past. I initially felt that dave was using the book and his popularity to line his pockets, however, after reading this I believe his heart is in the right place. His writing demonstrate that he is striving to empower kids and adults so that there walk down the foster care road is not as difficult as dave's or even mine. I work as a adolescent counselor and have witnessed the turmoil that life in foster care can result in, I believe Dave's book brings light to the foster care realities. I think every counselor, social worker or foster parent should read the book. Good job dave.. john
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Summary: It's hard to get this story out of your mind.
Review: After reading A Child Called It, I had to see what happened to Dave after he escaped his horrible family. The story that follows is a real eye- and mind- opener. Dave's telling of his journey gives the reader a whole new understanding of the foster system. As is pointed out in the book, all too often we only hear of the "system" when something goes wrong with it. Bravo to you, Dave Pelzer, for showing us something different. You are a true hero. While this book answered a lot of questions that were left at the end of A Child Called It, there are still a few more that are burning ones - specifically, WHY did his mother turn on Dave like she did? Why wasn't she or the father ever prosecuted for their horrific abuse? What became of Dave's four brothers? Readers looking for the answers will probably make the upcoming sequel, A Man Called Dave, an instant best seller.
Rating:
Summary: " Eye opener"
Review: After reading "a child called it" I desperately needed to read this book. I could'nt wait to find out what happened to David and how he got on with his life. It shocked me to read about some of the things that happened to this boy. This was definetly a book I could not put down and I highly recommend it
Rating: 
Summary: Too many inconsistencies; poor writing
Review: I think the trilogy idea is a sales gimmick. Why not one book? Or even no books? There are many inconsistencies in the book. For example, can someone retire from the armed forces in 13 years? Who possibly could have nominated a book written so poorly for a Pulitzer Prize -- except the publisher. And what is this about "Wait to the next book to have it all explained?" Why not all in one book. $30 for the trilogy as it now exists or will when the third book is printed-- it could have been one book for maybe $10-14 and without all the "teasers" and the repetitions of the previous books it could have been much more concise. It could also show what the author now feels looking back. And why is what is mother said to him -- her dark secret -- saved for the third book if not just to sell the third book?! Supposedly the first book was written as a 12 year old would yet it is really more than a 12 year old in some respects. But no insight that I could detect. Where do all the 5 star ratings come from is what my reaction is. I had a very strong negative reaction to the first book, I was somewhat interested in the 2nd book. My stong negative reaction to the first was not because of the subject of the first-- it was because of the writing and inconsistencies that I am complaining.
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