The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship

By Dave Pelzer

Book Overview

The #1 New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author who is a shining example of what overcoming adversity really means now shares the lost chapter of his uplifting journey, which has touched the lives of millions. 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 with today. He writes about the simple pleasures of exploring his neighborhood, while trying to forget the hell waiting for him at home. From high school to a world beyond the four walls that were his prison for so many years, The Privilege of Youth bravely and compassionately charts this crucial turning point in Dave Pelzer's life and will inspire a whole new generation of readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452286298
• ISBN13: 9780452286290
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Replacement

I had this book and someone must have "borrowed" it. I read the book to my students when I was teaching at the boys' Juvenile Hall in San Diego. They were VERY interested in it as this too was their story. AMAZING story.

Help Yourself Before It's Too Late...

This is not your everyday novel. This is a novel full of real-life advice that can help you prepare yourself for real-life challenges. Dave Pelzer thought that he could help teens get through tough situations just like the ones he went through. He felt that no one deserved to be treated the way we was treated no matter how troubled the child is. He goes on to share all the tips that he discovered during his own personal experience. The way that Dave divided this book helped me to see all the different "steps" and "parts" of the book. He divided it into three sections: Dealing with Life; Choices you make now and where they can lead you in your futute; and Personal Resolve.

Sad but moving

I think that this book; The Privilege of Youth, is a very good book. i dont recomend people who are depressed to read this book. it took me 3 hours to read this book, as it did David Pelzer's other books, i have not yet read Help Yourself, but i will soon be buying it to read. i hope that people who think it is cool to abuse their children and to hurt people physicaly and mentally, read these books that David Pelzer wrote. it will give them an insite on what they are actually doing to their children. i think that it is completly sick how someone could do such horrible things to someone so young and helpless. i my self was also physicaly and verblly abused throughout my younger years and i am not even a full adult yet, i am 17 yrs old, and i still am abused. The Privilege of Youth is a good book to read. when i was reading it, i related to my self in school. when he was beat up and tortured, i didnt think about myself, but about wanting to belong and wanting to have friends that liked you for who he was, i thought of myself. i only wanted friends that liked me for me, but i never got them. Over all, i think that this book is a very good book to read. David Pelzer inspires all who read his books.

Inspirational and Heroic

This book is a great inspirational story about a young man who conquers life obstacles. 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 you really want to be successful, it can be done. This is a story of heroism. He shows his heroism because he always seems to overcome obstacles. He doesn't let anything get him down. He seems to have a mentality that if something doesn't kill him, it only make him stronger. That shows us (the readers) how heroic his thoughts and actions are. I truly recommend this book because it will inspire and make you see life from a different perspective, in a more positive way.

Gets to the Heart

Gets to the Heart I have read the whole series of books by David Pelzer, each is better than the last. I recommend these books to everyone I know whether they have been abused or not as they lend insight, courage and determination sometimes in the face where none exist. Again, This newest books shows the depth that david Pelzer is. Also recommended: Nightmares Echo, All David Pelzer Books, Running With Scissors

Compelling

This is by far simply one of the most compelling books I have read to date. As are all of the David pelzer series of stories he has written that deals with abuse. I also want to mention a couple of other must read books along with Mr. Pelzers books. BEAUTY FOR ASHES and NIGHTMARES ECHO. Not only will you gain and understand of what the child/teen goes through, but it will make you more aware of what is going on around us.