In his first book, A Child Called IT, Dave Pelzer described unimaginable abuse at the hands of his mother. The abuses that Dave Pelzer endured are both sickening and heartwrenching. After reading this first book, the reader is left wondering what happened to this little boy that was eventually rescued by the state, but only after enduring years of torture.

In The Lost Boy, the reader is able to follow Dave through his life as an "F" child (foster child). It was inspiring and frustrating to read about Dave's struggles during his teenage years. This book clearly demonstrates that the affects of child abuse certainly live on, even when the child is no longer in the abusive environment. Despite the child abuse scars, Dave continued to strive on, and this second book ends as Dave enters the Air Force.

As I finished The Lost Boy, I yearned to know more about the adult life of Dave Pelzer. How had the abuse and his life as a foster child affect his adult life? Fortunately, I was rewarded with A Man Named Dave.

Dave writes about his struggles in the relationship with his biological father. A father that did not always step in when Dave's mother would severely torture Dave. Yet, Dave finds it in his heart to forgive his father, and seek a deeper relationship before his father passes away.

Dave also writes about the struggles in his marriage to his son's mother, and how he dealt with his difficulties in relating to others.

Perhaps even more remarkable are the passages where Dave interacts with his biological mother. Time and time again, Dave returns to meet with his mother, half way hoping that there will be a spark of love and remorse in her voice. The affect of the abuse, and the connection with his mother is evident every time Dave returns to her home.

As a caseworker that sees many children that have been abused, it is refreshing to read Dave Pelzer's words on how social services helped him. Dave Pelzer talks about his relationship with his son, and how his childhood has impacted his parenting. It is encouraging and amazing to see the obstacles that Dave Pelzer achieved.

The cover labels this book as "A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness", and it is just that. It is a story of the Triumph of a boy that used to be called "It", to a man that has achieved much in his life, despite the childhood scars. Dave Pelzer has achieved much of this Triumph through the forgiveness that I personally have difficulty understanding, but have immense respect.

The cover also states, "The inspiring Conclusion to A Child Called 'IT' and The Lost Boy. This is one reader that certainly hopes that Dave Pelzer will continue to write inspiring stories in the future.



Recommended: Yes