The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer is generally well-received, praised for its raw and emotional recount of the author's childhood in foster care. Readers appreciate the honest depiction of overcoming severe abuse, though some criticize the writing style as overly simplistic. Others find the relentless hardship hard to read but acknowledge its inspirational value. Overall, it's a compelling, if at times harrowing, memoir.

Readers who appreciate The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer are typically drawn to heart-wrenching memoirs detailing personal resilience and survival against adversity. They often enjoy books like A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, seeking compelling narratives of overcoming childhood trauma and transformative journeys.

The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer recounts his transition from an abusive household to various foster homes, where he struggles to adjust but eventually finds a sense of belonging. David faces numerous challenges, including legal battles, school prejudice, and difficulties in foster placements, but ultimately achieves stability through the supportive relationships he forms in foster care. This book depicts severe child abuse.

Emotional / Challenging / Dark / Hopeful / Inspirational

- The Lost Boy is the second installment in Dave Pelzer's autobiographical trilogy, following the first book A Child Called "It", which depicts his harrowing experience as an abused child.
- Dave Pelzer's memoirs, including The Lost Boy, have been credited with raising awareness about child abuse and have been used in educational settings to discuss social work and child welfare issues.
- The book has been translated into multiple languages, allowing Dave Pelzer's survival story to touch readers worldwide, and has often appeared on bestseller lists, achieving a wide international readership.

**David Pelzer**  
A young boy placed in foster care after enduring severe abuse, who struggles with feelings of worthiness and ultimately becomes more responsible and mature as he prepares for adult life.

**David’s Mother (Roevra Pelzer)**  
An abusive alcoholic who focuses her manipulation and abuse on David, eventually leading to his removal from her care.

**David’s Father (Stephen Pelzer)**  
A firefighter with a drinking problem who fails to protect David from his mother's abuse and does not maintain contact after David enters foster care.

**Russell Pelzer**  
One of David's younger brothers who appears malnourished and disheveled, indicating abuse from their mother in David's absence.

**Ms. (Pam) Gold**  
David’s social worker who plays a key role in making him a permanent ward of the court and develops a close, supportive bond with him.

**Lilian Catanze**  
David's first permanent foster mother who becomes an important maternal figure and fights to keep him within the foster care system.

**Rudy Catanze**  
Lilian’s husband and David’s foster parent, who becomes frustrated with David’s early misconduct but remains fond of him.

**Alice and Harold Turnbough**  
Temporary foster parents who become permanent guardians, teaching David life skills and becoming crucial parental figures.

**Michael Marsh**  
A supportive mentor during David’s teenage years who provides a safe haven and inspires his interest in joining the Air Force.

**John**  
A delinquent peer who befriends David and later implicates him in arson, contributing to David's troubles with the law.

**Big Larry**  
A fellow foster brother at the Catanzes’ home who befriends David and takes him on outings.

**Larry Jr.**  
Another foster brother who harasses David and challenges him with rebellious behavior.

**Chris**  
A foster child with cerebral palsy who lives with the Catanzes and whose situation prompts David to think about his future.

**Linda and John Walsh**  
Foster parents to David whose relationship problems lead him to request a move to another home.

**Joanne and Michael Nulls**  
Foster parents whose volatile marriage results in David being moved to another foster home.

**Vera and Jody Jones**  
Foster parents who live near David's biological family; their home is eventually shut down.

**Gordon Hutchenson**  
David's probation officer who supports him during his time in juvenile hall and helps him transition to a new foster home.

**Dave Howard**  
A teenager who becomes one of David’s closest friends while living on Duinsmoore Drive.

**Paul Brazell**  
Another close friend of David’s during his teenage years who shares interests in stunts and mini-bikes.

**Mr. Dan Brazell**  
Paul’s father, admired by David for his mechanical skills and projects.

**Carlos**  
A shy Hispanic boy who forms a friendship with David based on trust and shared experiences.

**Aunt Mary**  
The first foster parent David lives with after being removed from his biological family.

**Uncle Lee**  
A former colleague of David’s father, who provides information about his father during David’s search for him.

**Stan Pelzer**  
Another of David's younger brothers who damages David’s bike during a visit.

**Connie**  
A teenage foster child living with the Catanzes who initially scolds David but is part of his foster home community.

Dave Pelzer

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