40 pages • 1 hour read
Dave PelzerThe Lost Boy
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Lost Boy?
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.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
720L