Product Description

As a child, Dave Pelzer was brutally beaten and starved by his mother. The world knew nothing of his living nightmare and he had nothing and no one to turn to. But his dreams kept him alive - dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son. Finally, his horrific plight could no longer be hidden from the outside world and Dave's life radically changed. THE LOST BOY is the harrowing - but ultimately uplifting - true story of a boy's journey through the foster-care system in search of a family to love. The continuation of Dave Pelzer's story is a moving sequel and inspirational read for all.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18466 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review

"Winter 1970, Daly City, California--I'm alone. I'm hungry and I'm shivering in the dark. I sit on the top of my hands at the bottom of the stairs in the garage. My head is tilted backward. My hands became numb hours ago. My neck and shoulder muscles begin to throb. But that's nothing new--I've learned to turn off the pain. I'm Mother's prisoner."

In The Lost Boy, the sequel to Dave Pelzer's bestselling A Child Called It, Dave recounts the final days with his "family" before the intervention of a schoolteacher led to his being removed from hell and taken into foster care. As Pelzer explains, A Child Called It was told from the perspective of a child aged from 4 to 12; The Lost Boy recounts his years from 12 to 18. The earlier account documents the extraordinary, painful and moving story of this young boy's "lifeless" existence with his alcoholic, abusive mother and a father who was so cowed by his sadistic wife that he could not help his son. Like its predecessor, Pelzer's account of his adolescant years is no easy read, as he takes us through the mixed, mixed-up world of the US care system, relentlessly pursued by his mother, to a final peace of sorts with a caring series of foster parents. An important, raw and exposing book, the Lost Boy's message is, as Pelzer quotes, that "it takes a community to save a child". --Kate Weaver

About the Author
Dave Pelzer is recognised as one of America's most effective and respected communicators. His unique accomplishments have garnered personal commendations from Ronald Reagan and George Bush. He has dedicated his life to helping others help themselves.

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Customer Reviews

Have your tissues ready
Having read 'A Child Called It' in just one sitting I was eager to progress on to the second of Dave Peltzer's trilogy. And yet again, upon finishing 'The Lost Boy' was left with mixed feelings. I found Dave Peltzer's use of child-like style and diction slightly grating and the Americanisms (of course, to be expected) often irritating. Also, the lack of structure which was so apparent in 'A Child Called It' is present again, particularly in beginning of the novel which takes us back to Peltzer living in the family home. Yet in spite of the fact that Peltzer is not a great writer, 'The Lost Boy' is still completely addictive. Shining through the poor structure and repetition is Peltzer's ability to tell a story with heartfelt honesty. This book made me cry much more than the first and I was impressed that 'The Lost Boy' is so much more than Peltzer dragging out his story. There is a point to this novel after all. I cannot wait to read the final part of the trilogy - all the negative qualities cannot deflect the amazing strength and determination of Peltzer. It is not enough that he adjusted to living a normal life - he goes on to achieve things that most of us can only dream of. He is to be congratulated once again. Is there anything this man cannot do?

better than the first, which was hard to beat
This is yet another fabulous book from Dave Pelzer. I read his first book 'a child called it' and had to read the follow up which in my opinion is better, although less horrific than the first. This is definitely a book to read if you liked the first. It shows the courage and bravery of a teenager who has gone through the worst childhood a person could not even imagine going through. I say 'BUY IT'

David Pelzer Courage
In order to read "Lost Boy" you must also read "A Child Called It" first. Within the context of the two books you will read about the harrowing ordeals this child went through, the unsurmountable spirit he held with in himself to endure such devastation and the inspiration of getting beyond the pain. David pelzer deserves all the kudo's imaginable for his work. As well as respect for his courage and determination.
Along with david Pelzer's works, I also recommend Nightmares Echo by Katlyn Stewart and A Paper Life by Tatum O'Neil