Books On Board

Dave Pelzer Books in Order

  • 11 Books
  • 1995 – 2023 Published

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Reading order
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How to Read Dave Pelzer's Books

Dave Pelzer is best known for his deeply personal autobiographical works that detail his survival of horrific childhood abuse and his journey through the foster care system into a life of recovery and advocacy. To get the most out of his writing, readers should focus first on his core memoirs, which form a chronological narrative of his life. His self-help and motivational books can be read independently, though they are best appreciated with the context of his memoirs.

The Memoirs: Recommended Chronological Reading Order

While the memoirs were published over a span of nearly three decades, reading them in chronological order of Dave Pelzer's life provides the most cohesive emotional and narrative journey. Here is the recommended path:

  1. A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive (1995) – The essential starting point. This memoir details the severe physical and emotional abuse Pelzer suffered at the hands of his mother from ages 4 to 12.
  2. The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family (1997) – Picking up immediately after his rescue at age 12, this book chronicles his turbulent but healing years navigating the foster care system.
  3. The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story (2004) – Though published after A Man Named Dave, this book chronologically fits here. It focuses on his teenage years, the challenges of fitting in, and the friends who helped him survive.
  4. A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness (1999) – The culmination of the original trilogy. This volume covers his entry into adulthood, his service in the U.S. Air Force, and his emotional journey toward forgiving his father and moving past his trauma.
  5. Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called It (2014) – This follow-up explores his life as a middle-aged husband, father, and public figure, dealing with the long-term emotional repercussions of his childhood and the fallout of sharing his story with the world.
  6. Return to the River: Reflections on Life Choices During a Pandemic (2023) – A more recent reflective work set against the backdrop of the Russian River. Pelzer processes his past and seeks personal peace during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alternative Compilation: My Story

If you prefer a single volume, My Story (published in 2002) is an omnibus edition that collects the first three major memoirs: A Child Called 'It', The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave. Note that this collection does not include The Privilege of Youth, which was published two years later.

Dave Pelzer's Self-Help and Inspirational Books

In addition to detailing his life story, Pelzer has written several self-help guides. These books take the lessons of resilience from his survival and offer practical advice for readers dealing with their own struggles. They do not need to be read in any strict order, but reading them in order of publication shows the evolution of his philosophy:

  • Help Yourself: Finding Hope, Courage, And Happiness (2000) – Offers step-based advice on overcoming obstacles and taking control of your own life.
  • Dave Pelzer's Life Lessons: From a Man Who Knows (2000 / 2002) – A pocket-sized companion guide focusing on core principles like forgiveness, resilience, and self-determination.
  • Help Yourself for Teens: Real-Life Advice for Real-Life Challenges (2005) – Tailored advice specifically written to help teenagers navigate peer pressure, family issues, and identity.
  • Moving Forward: Taking the Lead in Your Life (2008) – A motivational guide on how to stop being a victim of your circumstances and proactively direct your future.

What to Know Before You Start

Readers should be aware that Pelzer's early memoirs, particularly A Child Called 'It', depict extreme child abuse, starvation, and emotional torment. It can be a very difficult and distressing read. However, the overarching theme of the series is one of resilience, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity.

There has also been some public controversy and disagreement regarding the accuracy of some events described in the memoirs. Some family members have contested the details of the abuse, while Pelzer has consistently maintained the veracity of his accounts. Regardless of the debates, the books remain landmark texts in raising global awareness about child abuse and foster care reform.

Frequently Asked

What is the best order to read Dave Pelzer's memoirs?

The best way to read them is in chronological order of his life: start with A Child Called 'It', followed by The Lost Boy, The Privilege of Youth, A Man Named Dave, Too Close to Me, and finally Return to the River.

Where does 'The Privilege of Youth' fit in the reading order?

Chronologically, The Privilege of Youth fits between The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave. It was published in 2004 (after the original trilogy was completed) but focuses on his teenage years.

Is 'My Story' a separate book?

No, My Story (2002) is an omnibus compilation that collects Pelzer's first three memoirs—A Child Called 'It', The Lost Boy, and A Man Named Dave—into a single volume.

Do you need to read Dave Pelzer's self-help books in order?

No, his self-help books like Help Yourself and Moving Forward can be read independently and in any order, as they focus on general advice and personal growth rather than a sequential story.

Are Dave Pelzer's books based on a true story?

Yes, they are written as autobiographical memoirs detailing his personal experiences surviving childhood abuse, foster care, and his path to adulthood.

What is Dave Pelzer's latest book?

Dave Pelzer's latest book is Return to the River: Reflections on Life Choices During a Pandemic, published in 2023.