Hero: Dave Pelzer

1. Hero: Dave Pelzer By: Sara Kidwell

2. Some Accomplishments • Dave has wrote three books telling his story. • A Child Called It • The Lost Boy • A Man Named Dave • The Privilege of Youth • He has also wrote a book encouraging people to help themselves and get better entitled “Help Yourself” • His latest book is a self help book for teenagers giving them advice, entitled “Help Yourself For Teens”

3. Dave’s Life: • Dave Pelzer was abused as a child by his mentally disturbed alcoholic mother. • Dave’s mother for reasons unknown singled out Dave for the abuse, She referred to him as “The Boy” or “It”. • Dave’s father, a fire fighter, soon started drinking like his wife. Though he did not join in the abuse, he did nothing to stop it. • Dave’s mother often wouldn’t allow him to eat so he ended up stealing food to eat, when his mother found out she punished him greatly.

4. Dave’s LifeContinued.. • Dave’s Brother Richard contributed to the abuse. He watched Dave’s every move and sometimes made up stories. • Dave almost died at the hands of his mother multiple times. • Once his mother almost choked him to death. He was also stabbed in the stomach by his mother. His mother also burned him over the stove. • After a while Dave started believing that he was a bad kid. That he was doing something bad to make his mother do the things she did. He thought he deserved it. Though he didn’t understand it he was just a kid.

5. Dave’s Life: Rescue • When Dave was 12 years old his teachers finally started seeing the abuse. • The called the cops, putting their jobs on the line. • Dave was in foster care for six years and stayed in five different foster homes. • When Dave was 18 he joined the US Air Force.

6. Life Now • Dave is married and has a son. • He now speaks about his life and tries to help people. • To this day Dave and his son have a good father-son relationship. • Dave’s brother Richard has also wrote book called “A Brother’s Journey” and a sequel entitled “A Teenager’s Journey”, Recounting the abuse on Dave and himself after Dave left.

7. Hero Like Qualities Dave Pelzer has overcame so many challenges, with his mother, father, brothers, and just life after he got away. He is a respected man and he never gave up. • Dave served for his country in the Air Force. He fought for his life everyday of his childhood from age 4-12.

8. Qualities • Honorable. • He never gave up. • Served in the Air Force. • Brave. • He went up against his mom. • He kept looking forward and didn’t give up. • Caring. • He speaks to try to help people.

9. Conclusion I chose Dave Pelzer. The author of the book “A Child Called It” as well as others because he over came his bad childhood. He took the abuse and put it behind him. He lives his life telling people that they can do the same. Encouraging them to do the best for their life. Dave is a role model for many kids and people. He is brave for standing up to his Mother. I think he has all the qualities of being a hero.

10. Works Cited • http://www.davepelzer.com/ • http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/childhoods_famous_people/36841/2