ABOUT THE BOOK

#1 international best-selling author of A Child Called “It”, speaker, and humanitarian Dave Pelzer welcomes readers into the next chapter of his life—and examines why, after spending decades saving others in the military, as a fire captain, and an internationally acclaimed advocate, he is confronted with the need to save himself.

On the surface, Dave Pelzer’s life seems like an action movie—he’s walked the red carpet with celebrities and stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in Iraq; he’s flown top-secret missions for the U.S. Air Force, and battled wildfires in California as a volunteer fire captain. Now, 50 years after his rescue from a horrific childhood of abuse and into the safety of the foster care system, he reflects on the battles he’s fighting in his own heart. 

Pelzer reflects on the courage it takes to move forward in your life, the peace to accept yourself, the vulnerability to strip yourself of facades, and the tenacity to carry on when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dave Pelzer is the author of 9 books. Dave’s first book, A Child Called “It” was on the New York Times Best Sellers List for a record-setting 6 YEARS. His other books were also on the New York Times Best Sellers List for over 12 years. Dave was the first author to have four #1 international bestsellers and to have four books simultaneously on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Dave is regularly tapped by the U.S. military and high level task forces to aid in investigations and create leadership curriculum, and is the host of the Dave Pelzer Podcast.

In 1993, Dave was honored as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Americans, joining a distinguished group including John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney. In 2005, Dave was the recipient of the National Jefferson Award, which is considered the Pulitzer Prize of public service. As a member of the armed forces, Dave was hand-picked to midair refuel the then highly secretive SR-71 Blackbird and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. Dave has served as a Volunteer Fire Captain at the Northern Sonoma Coast and the Russian River, California, amid regular wildfires, many of them making national news. He is a persona the media want to get their hands on!

TALKING POINTS

• As a volunteer fire captain leading others in historic wildfires, Dave reflects on kind gestures and random acts of kindness made toward him. He can discuss how those have affected his life going forward.
• How to proceed when you are faced with an overwhelming, unexpected situation or chain of events.
• Dave can discuss how his faith has played a part in his ability to recover from difficult times.
• Dave’s haunting love story and unexpected losses in the book
• Reasons why it’s important to “talk it out” 
• Ways to give yourself courage to take inventory of your life
• Dave can share tips on how, even though we all make mistakes, we can still feel worthy and why we deserve happiness.

TIMELY TIE-INS

LONG LEAD

March

• Social Work Month
• World Social Work Day – 19

April

• Stress Awareness Month
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• Counseling Awareness Month
• Day of Hope – 3
• Volunteer Recognition Week – 21-27

May

• National Foster Care Month
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Childhood Depression Awareness Day – 7
• International Firefighters’ Day – 4