David James Pelzer (born December 29, 1960)[1] is an American author and advocate for children's rights.
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Background
Dave Pelzer was born in Daly City, California, to Stephen Pelzer and Catherine Roerva Pelzer (née Christen) and was the second of five boys. As a child, Pelzer was abused by his mother, who thought of it as a game. Pelzer states that his mother enjoyed torturing him by starving him, forcing him to drink ammonia, and other horrors.[2] His teachers stepped in on March 5, 1973 and 12-year-old Pelzer was placed in foster care. In 1979, he joined the Air Force and later became an author.[2] The fourth boy Richard B. Pelzer has also written about his own abuse.
Controversy
Questions have been raised about Pelzer's works and their authenticity.[3][4] In "Dysfunction for Dollars," Pelzer's younger brother, Stephen Pelzer, is quoted as saying, "David wasn't ostracized from the family; he was very close to me and Robert. We were the Three Musketeers. But David had to be the center of attention. He was a hyper, spoiled brat." Adding to controversy, "...his grandmother, Ruth Cole (born in 1910 and still living) remembers him as a 'disruptive kid, only interested in himself, with big ideas of grandeur.'" 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."[5] His brother,Richard also supports his story, and has written a book himself, A Brother's Journey, which chronicles his own abuse.[6]
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
Awards and recognition
- JC Penney Golden Rule Award (1990)
- Ten Outstanding Young Americans (1993)
- Outstanding Young Person of the World (1994)
- National Jefferson Award (2005)[7]
References
- ^ "California Birth Index", www.ancestry.com : "David J Pelzer, b 29 Dec 1960, San Francisco County, mother's maiden name Christen"
- ^ a b An interview with Dave Pelzer by his wife Marsha
- ^ "Dysfunction for Dollars" by Pat Jordan, July 28, 2002
- ^ Dave Pelzer - The Child Abuse Entrepreneur - Slate.com
- ^ 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
