The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family

Rating:
Summary: A soul-crushing account of a little boy's will to survive.
Review: I have just completed the book, A Child Called "IT." It was a compelling story of unimaginable horror for a boy striving to survive a world of terror at the hands of hideously abusuve parents. Dave's unique spirit and will to survive gives perseverance and strength an entirely new meaning. I cannot even fathom what life was like for Dave. He shares his story with such painful detail that I had to constantly wipe the tears from my face. What kind of mother puts her family through such horror? What is her background and where is she now? Does Dave have any kind of relationship with any of his brothers? Dave, I have so many unanswered questioins about your life. You are an absolute hero in my book! I need to know more!!! I have begun sharing your story with my young children in the hopes of helping to instill in them a compassion and a willingness to always listen from their hearts. You are one in a million, Dave. Is there any chance of getting in touch with you or even meeting with you? You have incredible heart and I'd love to sit and talk with you. My husband is a sergeant and has too many sad stories to share. We need to stop this vicious cycle of abuse. Is there anything that I can do to help? This book was a wake-up call, America!!! Let's love our children so that they can love their future. Thanks for being a survivor, Dave!! You're an inspiration to us all!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Rare,insightful look thru the eyes of a child in foster care
Review: I have had the experience of reading both "A Child Called It", and "The Lost Boy". These two books take you down the journey of David Pelzer as he experiences his childhood and teen years while learning to overcome the most outrageous and cruel abuse from first his mother, then his father and siblings, school community and at times the bureaucratic system of foster care. However, thw true joy of the books is that they show us how one young boy through courage, strength,his daydreams, and the use of prayer overcame great odds to becomne a shining example of a success. Although it is true that both books leave you with many questions, the foremost one being, what happened to his mother? How was she made to atone for her atrocities? This is to be expected for several reasons. First, the words were those of a child, later an uncertain young adult searching for answers. Second, the entire issue of child abuse, foster care, and society's nonchalant, or often cruel reaction to F-children is a sad but real Truth, and filled with unanswered questions. This book is an inspirational testamonial to the courage that foster children show each and every day. The author's success in the Airforce, in life, and his own family are living examples that he and the foster system beat the odds, if only this one time. Although the books are graphic and at times depressing or evoke tears, the sheer joy felt when David succeeds uplifts your soul. If all they accomplish is to bring awareness to several hundred persons regarding the atrocities of child abuse and the need for involvement with the system, then Pelzer has surpassed any expectations one could have regarding his novels impact. Thank you David, and God Bless you.

Rating:
Summary: unforgetable
Review: I am in awe that this child who now has become an adult was able to withstand the horrific treatment given to him by his parents. It is so wonderful that this man has shared this story with us and it made me feel as I read it that he survived because he had a great faith. Hats off to David Peltzer a remarkable MAN!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Words Can Not Describe...
Review: Words can not describe my feelings after reading both books by David Pelzer. I am saddened by the thoughts of this child being hurt, and grateful to everyone who helped him. I have often thought about being a foster parent, and "The Lost Boy" gave me insights to how a child who was abused feels and what he/she struggles through, to be accepted and loved, and respected and appreciated. My heart goes out to David and I wish him and his son all the love and happiness. Also, to everyone who helped him or who helps any children, keep on helping!! Foster parents, police officers, teachers, and everyone else: do not give up. Without you, a life for a child would be worse. This book taught me a lot about child abuse and "the system". It is a must read for anyone who cares about children. Thank you David for having the courage to write this book!!

Rating:
Summary: A must read book by everyone!
Review: I have just finished reading "A Child Called IT" and "The Lost Boy". We all have our opinions. What you must look at is the time when it happened and it did say that it was written THROUGH the eyes of a child. It did leave you with a lot of questions that went unanswered. Let us look at what we WALKED AWAY WITH. If you believe what he had to write or not, look in your house. What is it that YOUR child longs for? What was it that YOU longed for from your parents? I know I have always wanted the love and approval from my parents. What is it you can do to change the life of a child, ANY child? In "The Lost Boy", he is getting more love from strangers than he did his own parents. It is not the same! I have thought about becoming a Foster Parent. I walked away from this book with a feeling of having to help in some way. Thank you Dave!

Rating:
Summary: I will never be the same after reading Dave's books
Review: I could not put A Child Called It down nor The Lost Boy. At first I did not want to buy the book when I saw what it was about, but I am forever changed because of it. It made me want to reach out to that little boy to love and nurture him. However, I am about 20 years to late. The lesson here is there are many lost boys and girls in our community that I can reach out to. It may not be a child who is abused, but rather lonely or sad for whatever reason. Our children are our future and it is up to us to make a difference in their lives. That is the message I received after reading his two books. I am awaiting the last book to answer many questions. I am saddened that he does not have a relationship with his brothers today. I wish they would reach out to him or vice versa. They could make up for a lot of lost time. I would reccomend this book to anyone. It is the most inspirational story I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: I thank the good Lord David survived such horrific abuse.
Review: I read both of these books and am anxiously awaiting the last one! I think that something so wonderufl has come out of such a horrible life this child/man had to live. I am very curious to find out more about the autho and his siblings. I would also like to know more about the mother. If there is anyway that I can contact the author please let me know. I would really like to see if there is some way that I can help in such a congested system. The future is our children.

Rating:
Summary: HE HELPED ME UNDERSTAND MY OWN TORMENTS
Review: I READ IN ONE REVIEW THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS TO A CHILD CALLED IT. APPARENTLY THIS PERSON HAS NOT KNOW OR LIVED IN A ABUSIVE SITUATION. WHEN YOU DO YOUR ONLY THOUGHTS ARE SURVIVAL. YOU CAN EITHER GIVE INTO IT AND LET IT DESTORY YOU OR YOU GO ON AND GET AS FAR AWAY FROM THE PAIN AS YOU CAN.YOU DON'T WANT ALL THE ANSWERS. YOU JUST WANT TO BE FREE. THIS IS WHAT I READ, FELT AND ALSO HELPED ME UNDERSTAND WHY I BECAME THE PERSON THAT I AM. I GOT BEYOND IT ALL, SO DAVID WELL DONE AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY HEART AND NOW YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY SOUL. CASS

Rating:
Summary: this touched my soul
Review: As I READ this book the tears flowed freely from my eyes, I WAS SO COMPLETELY overwhelmed with the strength,the compassion and passion in which David told his story. He has come from the depths of hell, yet grew to be close with heaven and at peace with himself. TRUELY TOUCHING TO SEE THAT HE BUILT HIMSELF INTO A WONDERFUL PERSON , THANK YOU DAVID FOR YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY SOUL..... CASS

Rating:
Summary: A boy called "IT" broke my heart
Review: I can hardly believe that a mother could treat her child as David Pelzer was treated. It amazes me the things he did to survive. It broke my heart and made me wish all children could read about his life. I can not imagine a punishment strong enough for a parent capable of such terrible things as David endured. May God always bless him.