Dave Pelzer is an American author, best known for his 1995 memoir "A Child Called 'It'", which tells the story of his abusive childhood. Pelzer was born on December 29, 1960 in San Francisco, California. He was the second of five children, and his mother, Catherine Roerva Pelzer, was a stay-at-home mom while his father, Stephen Joseph Pelzer, worked as a fireman.
Pelzer's childhood was marked by extreme abuse at the hands of his mother, who was an alcoholic and drug addict. She subjected him to various forms of torture, including starving him, locking him in the basement, and forcing him to sleep outside in the cold. Pelzer's mother also physically and emotionally abused his siblings, although he was the primary target of her cruelty.
Despite the abuse he suffered, Pelzer was able to find some joy in his childhood through the kindness of others. For example, his fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Gold, noticed the bruises on his body and provided him with some small acts of kindness, such as giving him a warm blanket to sleep with or allowing him to eat the leftovers from her lunch.
At the age of 12, Pelzer was finally removed from his mother's care and placed in foster care. He went on to graduate from high school and join the Air Force, where he served for several years before becoming a police officer in San Francisco.
Pelzer's memoir, "A Child Called 'It'", was published in 1995 and became an international bestseller. It was followed by two sequels, "The Lost Boy" and "A Man Named Dave", which tell the story of Pelzer's life after being removed from his mother's care and his eventual healing and recovery.
Pelzer's story is a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of child abuse and the importance of advocating for the well-being of children. His courage in speaking out about his experiences has inspired many others to speak out about their own experiences of abuse, and has contributed to a greater awareness of the issue of child abuse and the need to address it.
Dave Pelzer author biography
The following year, Dave was the only American to be selected for TOYP--The Outstanding Young Person of the World--award. They do anything they can for fame and fortune. And if you label him a "motivational speaker" he will cringe, as he loathes the phrase. He doesn't come up for air until midnight, when he decides to take his first break. For Dave, he dislikes the regulations, loathes the endless paperwork, and feels he would lose valuable time, which would be better spent on making an immediate decision and going directly to the source of the need. I did something wrong. One thing's for sure: with every day he has remaining, Dave will make the most of it.
Dave Pelzer author interview
He received a call to appear on the Montel Williams Show. At 18 years old, with the California recession taking hold and jobs becoming scarce, Dave then set his sights on his childhood dream of joining the air force. They want, need, and expect pertinent, real-life information to enhance what they're facing. But what the air force didn't know--even after they practically kicked Dave out of their recruitment office--was his resolve. According to Dave, you must have to do exercise regularly to stay fit. No part of this interview may be reproduced without written permission from Dave Pelzer's office, PO Box 1846, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270.
What happened to Dave Pelzer mother and father?
Teachers give their heart and soul for our children. In the case of Dave's long-awaited upcoming book, The Privilege of Youth, not even his publisher knew Dave was even writing again until one day in September 2002, Dave's office mailed Dutton a completely typeset and cleanly edited manuscript, which was placed on the desk of Brian Tart, Dutton's V. Grouping Dave with these brave individuals, he instantly brushes off the compliment something he does quite often, yet unintentionally offending some who are expressing their astonishment and respect for what Dave has endured by saying, "Trust me, I'm nothing special. They gobbled him up. Two members of his family, his maternal grandmother and brother, have disputed his book.
Dave Pelzer Biography, Wife, Wiki, Kids, Parents, Family, Net Worth
Those in charge know what they're doing, so don't speak up, don't make a fuss if you see something wrong. In the end, we hope you'll feel inspired, alter your course, or find a whole new direction in life. But even before the notoriety, his workload was always strenuous and people loved him. A broken arm, the first in a long series of "accidents," brought Pelzer and his mother to a doctor. Two weeks ago he phoned me saying he's putting in the paperwork so he can rally the troops in Baghdad. On March 5, 1973, the day he was rescued, he was 12 years old and weighed 68 pounds. Usually when a bookstore knows Dave is coming into their area, for any kind of event, they call the office; and even though he's already booked for a full day's work, we do our best to accommodate their request.