Dave Pelzer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David James Pelzer (born December 29, 1960)[1] is an American author, best known for his memoir of childhood abuse, A Child Called "It". Pelzer is the son of San Francisco fireman Stephen Joseph Pelzer (1923 - 1980), who was of Austrian and Irish descent, and Catherine Roerva Christen Pelzer (1929 - 1992), who came from a Mormon family.
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[edit] Controversy
Questions have been raised about Pelzer's works and their authenticity.[2] In a 2002 New York Times article, Pelzer's younger brother, Stephen Pelzer, cast doubt on some of the abuse allegations in Dave Pelzer's writings.[3]
Supporting Pelzer's story is schoolteacher Athena Konstan of Salt Lake City, who wrote, "In my 31 years of teaching, David Pelzer was the most severely abused child I have ever known."[4]
His brother, Richard also supports his story, and has written a book himself, A Brother's Journey, which chronicles his own abuse.[5] he has also written a true account of his own brothers lifestyle.
[edit] Pelzer brothers in birth order
| Dave's Book Names | Real Names | Richard's Book Names |
| Ron | Robert S. Pelzer | Ross |
| Stan | Stephen J. Pelzer Jr | Scott |
| Russel | Richard B. Pelzer | Richard |
| Kevin | Kenneth E. Pelzer | Keith |
[edit] Works
Pelzer has written a number of books:
- A Child Called It (1995) ISBN 1-55874-366-9
- The Lost Boy (1997) ISBN 1-55874-515-7
- A Man Named Dave (1999) ISBN 0-452-28190-3
- Help Yourself (2001) ISBN 0-452-28276-4
- My Story (2002) ISBN 0-7528-5371-6, Compilation of A Child Called It, The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave
- The Privilege of Youth (2004) ISBN 0-525-94769-8
- Life's Lessons (2004) ISBN 0-00-714691-4
- Help Yourself for Teens (2005) ISBN 0-452-28652-2
[edit] Awards and recognition
- JC Penney Golden Rule Award (1990)
- Ten Outstanding Young Americans (1993)
- Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (1994)
- National Jefferson Award (2005)[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "California Birth Index", www.ancestry.com : "David J Pelzer, b 29 Dec 1960, San Francisco County, mother's maiden name Christen"
- ^ Dave Pelzer - The Child Abuse Entrepreneur - Slate.com
- ^ Pat Jordan, "Dysfunction for Dollars" New York Times, July 28, 2002
- ^ San Francisco Chronicle, Jerry Carroll, July 15, 1998 "The Beaten Path: Author David Pelzer chronicles a nightmare childhood"
- ^ Richard B. Pelzer, A Brother's Journey, Richard B. Pelzer, Warner Books 2005
- ^ "Dave's personal website", http://www.davepelzer.com
[edit] External links
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