• The Privilege of Youth

  • A Teenager's Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship
  • By: Dave Pelzer
  • Narrated by: J. Charles
  • Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (111 ratings)

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The Privilege of Youth  By  cover art

The Privilege of Youth

By: Dave Pelzer
Narrated by: J. Charles
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Publisher's summary

More than six million readers can attest to the heartbreak and courage of Dave Pelzer's story of growing up in an abusive home. His inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune.

Now this former lost boy, who defeated insurmountable odds to emerge whole and happy, at last takes us on his incredible odyssey toward healing and forgiveness. In The Privilege of Youth, Pelzer supplies the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood.

With his usual sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the joys of learning and 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 a neighborhood he was just beginning to get to know while trying to forget the hell he had endured as a child.

From high school to a world beyond the four walls that were his prison for so many years, The Privilege of Youth charts this crucial turning point in Dave Pelzer's life. This brave and compassionate memoir from the man who has journeyed far will inspire a whole new generation of readers.

©2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"J. Charles gives the narrative a nostalgic tone. He offers the memories as if he were commiserating with friends rather than reading for strangers." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Privilege of Youth

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A Window Into Life

This volume of the life of Dave Pelzer is a lot more like a memoir than a warning tale to others. While there is still hardship and prejudice, it is a familiar tale to all too many teens around the world.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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David

Loved that we got to hear about his teenage life and his thought process. Great storytelling. 5 stars for sure!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One book???per 🗣️MONTH buy gotta go🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Trash $16 per month for one book got to be kidding. I got more through out my trial🤦🏽‍♀️

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was okay

This installment of Dave Pelzer‘s life was interesting but wasn’t as compelling as the first two books. Naturally, I’m glad that he ended up finding his footing in his youth so that he could have a better future. It was very hard to keep a lot of the people in his life straight. Albeit, he did bounce from foster home to foster home, but I don’t actually understand who is his friends, who are his foster parents and who are these other people. That was really confusing.

As always, his resiliency and perseverance that he had in spite of everything that he’s been through is very empowering.

A okay read overall.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great

This was a great sequel to his other books!! Glad I read it or should I say listened to it!

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