Dave Pelzer has published 4 novels, 5 non-fiction books, 1 children's book and 3 other books, beginning with A Child Called "it" (1993). The latest is Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called It (2015).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Dave Pelzer
Start here
A Child Called "it"
Dave Pelzer's most-read book, rated by 75 Open Library readers.
Shortest way in
A Man Named Dave
One of the most-read, at about 322 pages.
Newest
Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called It
Published 2015.
Standalone novels in order
A Man Named Dave (2000)
Help Yourself (2000)
The Privilege of Youth (2004)
Moving Forward (2008)
Non-fiction in order
A Child Called "it" (1993)
The Lost Boy (1997)
Life Lessons (2002)
My Story (2002)
Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called It (2015)
Children's books in order
Help Yourself for Teens (2005)
Other books in order
Privilege of Youth, The (2004)
Too Close to Me (2014)
Return to the River (2023)
About Dave Pelzer
David James Pelzer is an American author of several autobiographical and self-help books. His 1995 memoir of childhood abuse, A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive, was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list for several years, and in 5 years had sold at least 1.6 million copies. The book brought Pelzer fame, and has also been a source of controversy: family members and journalists have accused Pelzer of fabricating several events in the book.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Dave Pelzer FAQ
- How many books has Dave Pelzer written?
- Dave Pelzer has published 4 novels, 5 non-fiction books, 1 children's book and 3 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Dave Pelzer's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with A Child Called "it".
- What is Dave Pelzer's latest book?
- Too Close to Me: The Middle-Aged Consequences of Revealing a Child Called It (2015).
- What is Dave Pelzer's most famous book?
- A Child Called "it" (1993) is Dave Pelzer's most widely read book.
Authors like Dave Pelzer
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.