Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
89th out of 411 books
—
430 voters
The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story (Dave Pelzer #4)
by
Dave Pelzer
From A Child Called “It” to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer’s inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from...more
Paperback, 229 pages
Published
December 28th 2004
by Plume
(first published January 5th 2004)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
The book " The privilege of Youth" was a very sad story. Especially because it is based on a true story. I chose this book because I have read his other books " A child called it" and " A man named Dave." It is very sad how a mother can treat her son so wrong. Parents that treat there children that way shouls not have become a parent. In this book "Dave" is a teenager. The plot is about a teenager named Dve who is a fodter child. He moves a lot from foster home to foster home and doesnt really h...more
After reading A Child Called It along with The Lost Boy, I was eager to read David Pelzer's next addition to his series of a trouble youth. Pelzer grew up in a harsh family with an extremely abusive mother. If anyone has read his first autobiography on these incidents they have seen horror stories only expected in movies. As a child he was forced to do things such as eat the excrement in his baby brother's diaper, drink ammonia, and spend endless cold nights on a cot in the garage. His mother co...more
This is Pelzer’s memoir of life in the neighborhood where he spent his teenage years. There are the usual antics he and his friends get into and there are some great people to get to know in the land of adults.
What sets this apart is Pelzer’s position as a foster kid, coming out of a series of foster homes after being taken from his abusive mother. It’s great because he’s so normal for a teenage kid. Or, at least, he wants to be. Nobody’s actually “normal.”
At the beginning and in every bit of...more
What sets this apart is Pelzer’s position as a foster kid, coming out of a series of foster homes after being taken from his abusive mother. It’s great because he’s so normal for a teenage kid. Or, at least, he wants to be. Nobody’s actually “normal.”
At the beginning and in every bit of...more
The Privilege of Youth is an inspiring book about a boy named Dave. He was abused from his own mother when he was young. He thought that he had no love, friends or even a family. However, he could escape from pain and his mother by being a foster kid. Then, he entered middle school and he thought it's going to be delighted school life. However cruel bullying from his class mates awaited Dave. Nevertheless he never gave up and kept up. When he became a high school student, he could have best frie...more
The non-fiction novel, "The Privilege of Youth :A Teenager's Story" by Dave Pelezer was definitely written to inform and to entertain. He is telling the story of his childhood abuse and neglect, then talking about how it effects his still to this day. He often times refers back to his childhood through the story. He has written four books on the sugject of his abuse now, and certainly knows how to cut derectly to the core. In his books, he talks about not only overcoming the obsticles of his pas...more
Dave Pelzer yang merupakan pemeran utama sekaligus pengarang buku ini, menceritakan sendiri bagaimana perjalan hidupnya untuk diterima dilingkungan-lingkungan barunya.
Ya, dia seorang anak asuh yang harus pindah dari satu rumah ke rumah lain. Bagaimana dia mempertahankan diri untuk tidak terikat ke satu keluarga dan berusaha menyesuaikan diri di lingkungan barunya adalah topik utama dalam ceritanya ini.
Pesan-pesan atau petuah yang disampaikan oleh orang-orang yang lambat laun menerima Dave di se...more
Ya, dia seorang anak asuh yang harus pindah dari satu rumah ke rumah lain. Bagaimana dia mempertahankan diri untuk tidak terikat ke satu keluarga dan berusaha menyesuaikan diri di lingkungan barunya adalah topik utama dalam ceritanya ini.
Pesan-pesan atau petuah yang disampaikan oleh orang-orang yang lambat laun menerima Dave di se...more
For starters I wasn't really a fan of this book. Dave is the main character of this story that he tells and basically he describes what life was like as he gets into his adolescence stage. It was really slow in the beginning, but it picked up a little in the middle. His story is sad I will say that, but his story was a story I couldn't relate to. I prefer stories that have action and a little drama. The only interesting part was when he talked about his childhood. He does tell a good job describ...more
May 30, 2009
Heather Palmer
marked it as to-read
From A Child Called "It" to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer’s inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the thrill of making his first real friends—some of whom he still shares close relationships w...more
David Pelzer has experienced a truly extraordinary life. He nearly died several times by the hands of his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother.Years later, it was found that his case of child abuse was one of the most gruesome and extreme case that has ever taken place in California. This book, The Privilege of Youth , was not about his abusive childhood years, but about him trying to relive the years he lost while trying to become an adult.
I gave this book a rating of three stars. In some parts...more
I gave this book a rating of three stars. In some parts...more
Have you ever faced hunger when there is food in the refrigerator? Loneliness when you even have a family? Or even homeless when you do have a home? Well Dave Pelzer had faced through that horrible, unpleasant moments every single day he woke up in the garage with the newspaper twisted in his body because he did not have a blanket. Because his dramatic and diavolic mother considered Dave no longer as a son, but as an slave, an object, an nothing. Dave had lived in a large amount foster care home...more
May 25, 2011
Robert B. Miller
added it
Read by Jodine, Spring 2006:
"I'm reading The Privilege of Youth, A Teenager's Story by Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It, which we read in Diversity & Inclusion with Tonja Washington last semester. It's the follow up book after Lost Boy. Now Dave is in junior high and high school. He is still bouncing around among different foster homes, but when one family moves into a more upscale neighborhood, he finally makes friends with two boys on the block who make him feel like he belongs. Th...more
"I'm reading The Privilege of Youth, A Teenager's Story by Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called It, which we read in Diversity & Inclusion with Tonja Washington last semester. It's the follow up book after Lost Boy. Now Dave is in junior high and high school. He is still bouncing around among different foster homes, but when one family moves into a more upscale neighborhood, he finally makes friends with two boys on the block who make him feel like he belongs. Th...more
More than six million readers can attest to the heartbreak and courage of Dave Pelzer's story of growing up in an abusive home. From 'A Child Called It' to "The Lost Boy", from "A Man Named Dave" to "Help Yourself", his inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune.
Now this former lost boy who defeated insurmountable odds to emerge whole and happy at last takes us on his incredible odyssey toward healing and forgiveness. In 'The Privilege of Youth', Pelzer...more
Now this former lost boy who defeated insurmountable odds to emerge whole and happy at last takes us on his incredible odyssey toward healing and forgiveness. In 'The Privilege of Youth', Pelzer...more
The author Dave Pelzer went through a tough childhood with his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother abusing him. Later it was found out to be one of the worst cases of child abuse in the state of California. But this book was mostly about him growing up in out of foster homes and trying to fit in like a normal high school student. Some people would say he lived a truly extraordinary life and now sharing his inspirational stories with the world in his books like The Privlage Youth.
Throughout the b...more
Throughout the b...more
I really enjoyed this fill-in book that he wrote to bridge the gap between "The Lost Boy" and
"A Man Named Dave". It was heart warming to see him finally get some friends and Father figures and yet heart breaking at the same time to read about the bullying and how some people looked down on him and judged him for being "A Foster Kid" without knowing or caring about the back story.
It also made me wonder how in the world he survived all of those crazy stunts he pulled without serious bodily harm....more
"A Man Named Dave". It was heart warming to see him finally get some friends and Father figures and yet heart breaking at the same time to read about the bullying and how some people looked down on him and judged him for being "A Foster Kid" without knowing or caring about the back story.
It also made me wonder how in the world he survived all of those crazy stunts he pulled without serious bodily harm....more
Jan 12, 2012
Mrs Johnnie Tate
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Every Young Adult and Adult
Shelves:
read-since-joining
Started this book without reading the preceeding ones. Paused one page in and considered if this book would be to difficult or arouse to many memories within myself. Taking a deep breath I read on - and oh so glad I did!
Pelzer was able to communicate the difficult aquardness of teenage-hood, the desparation to be accepted. Once finished the book I cheered that he'd manage to find in his teens what took me well into my 30's to establish.
Is he a pulizer prize author? I think not. He IS an autho...more
Pelzer was able to communicate the difficult aquardness of teenage-hood, the desparation to be accepted. Once finished the book I cheered that he'd manage to find in his teens what took me well into my 30's to establish.
Is he a pulizer prize author? I think not. He IS an autho...more
This is the second time I've read this book, not because I loved it or even liked it, it was because the first time I didn't read the first two books. My daughter bought home the first two books to read & of course, I read them and thought I'm sure the third book would make that more sense, so I reread it. So now that I've read it, I can say that there wasn't any need for Davd Pelzer to really write this book, it was basically all said in his other books. I'm not sure if I want to continue o...more
This kind of serves are a extension book to his foster years which are explained in the second book of the a boy called series, so it's not as Emotionally impacting as the first book but still there was some majorly devestating parts. Such as when the mother of the girl called him trash just for being a step kid and made him feel like nothing all over again & when Paul has his breakdown but other than it's kind of reminiscent of one of those stand by me kind of films which is great. It's def...more
The author's purpose to writing story was to inform the reader's that even though he had been through a lot as a child he could still learn to be a normal teenager.
The theme of the book to show that even through you went through a lot as a child you can be a normal teenager.
This book was description because it talked mainly about his time as a teenager in foster care.
In my opinion this book was good, I liked how it talked about what he went through as a teenager, like I am now and I think it...more
The theme of the book to show that even through you went through a lot as a child you can be a normal teenager.
This book was description because it talked mainly about his time as a teenager in foster care.
In my opinion this book was good, I liked how it talked about what he went through as a teenager, like I am now and I think it...more
Jan 04, 2013
Maggie
added it
I thought this book was a very well written book. The story inside the book covers is depressing, I can not imagine being or living in this type of situation with a mother that abuses her child. The interesting thing is when you read " A Child Called It" is from the victims point of view and this book is from the victims brothers point of view. I like how the two stories are way different point of views. This book is very sad I hate how a mother could even do something like this to someone yet a...more
The book is educational to those in the educational and social work field, its helps a teacher or social worker to understand how a youth may act on order to get acceptance from his peers. It also helps from the standpoint of how a child feels when being bullied at school.
I find all of Dave Pelzer's book to be inspirational. This child endured so much more than any child should ever have to and then instead of breaking, had made such an impact on many people around the world. Dave Pelzer is def...more
I find all of Dave Pelzer's book to be inspirational. This child endured so much more than any child should ever have to and then instead of breaking, had made such an impact on many people around the world. Dave Pelzer is def...more
If you have read "A Child Called It" which is mostly about Dave being abused by his biological mother when he was at a young age, this book is a continuation of his story of him in his teenage years going through things a teenager would normally go through. For example bullying, looking for acceptance, having relationships with the opposite sex, making money, college, goofing off with friends, etc. In this book, Dave also talks about his experience of finally finding a place where he truly felt...more
May 13, 2008
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone that is looking to learn about abuse and how to handle it. I would the other 3 in his series.
I am currently reading The Privilage Of Youth by Dave Pelzer.
The Privilage Of Youth
Dave Pelzer
Memoir
230 pages
From A Child Called "It" to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer's inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; bu...more
The Privilage Of Youth
Dave Pelzer
Memoir
230 pages
From A Child Called "It" to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer's inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; bu...more
This book was,obviously, a really great read. It definitely wasn't as sad as Pelzer's previous works, but still told a wonderful story of his journey to be who he is today. It was a really quick read, so it would be great if you wanted something to read while you're doing your everyday tasks. I only gave it three stars though because I found it kind of tedious. However, I will point out that there was one quote in this book that I will share with you. The quote was as follows, "Today's prince wa...more
This book is a great encouraging story about a young man who triumphs ove life difficulties. This book will provide you with the feeling that all things are possible and that no matter what is going on in your life, someone else has it tougher, and someone else has survived worse. In this case it is Dave who has survived worst things than most people. It inspires you because he talks about his struggles and that no matter how hard life gets for him, he will be successful. He truly proves that if...more
This book was not as good as his other three books, but still it gave such a great inspirational message. This is what other authors have said about this book;
"A monumental series of books about courage and triumph. Pelzer demonstrates, as few have, that it is in the darkest skies that the stars are best seen." -Richard Paul Evans
"A living example that all of us have the capability to better ouselves no matter what the odds. Dave Pelzer inspires us all." -Jack Canfield
"Dave Pelzer is a living te...more
"A monumental series of books about courage and triumph. Pelzer demonstrates, as few have, that it is in the darkest skies that the stars are best seen." -Richard Paul Evans
"A living example that all of us have the capability to better ouselves no matter what the odds. Dave Pelzer inspires us all." -Jack Canfield
"Dave Pelzer is a living te...more
From A Child Called “It” to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer’s inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he shares the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the thrill of making his first real friends—some of whom he still shares close relationships w...more
This was OK. It sounded like the author just threw it together while he was on the road and doing other things. Almost like it was obligatory. The only sections that were truly exciting were those where he described his daredevil stunts in slow-motion. There were a few of these, and that is where this author shines.
This was an okay book. I love dave pelzer, but this wasnt one of my favorites. Some parts made me cringe at the book trying to see what had happened. Other parts made me fall asleep. Don't necessarily recommend, only if you have read his beginning books to understand what is happening.
The Privilege of Youth concerns the time Dave spent in Duinsmoore Way which has previously been reported in 'The Lost Boy'. His time there is described in more detail, the dare-devil activities that he engaged in with his close friends David Howard and Paul Brazell. It specifically draws attention to Dan Brazell and Michael Marsh, characters who were particularly influential to Dave, who both were like father-figures to Dave and encouraged him in his dream of becoming an Airman.
Good book. The missing little stories from the other boooks. More of othe upbeat side of things he did as a teen and the relationships he built, doesn't get into the abuse again. FOr me I woiuld rather have seen these in with the original story but none the less I am glad I read it.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
An author best known for his 1995 memoir of childhood abuse, A Child Called It.
At the age of 12, Dave was removed from an abusive home and placed in a series of foster homes. In 1979, he joined the Air Force and later became an author of memoirs and self-improvement books.
More about Dave Pelzer...
At the age of 12, Dave was removed from an abusive home and placed in a series of foster homes. In 1979, he joined the Air Force and later became an author of memoirs and self-improvement books.
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
03. November, 17:46 Uhr