2023 Paraeducator Book Study - A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness

A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness 
Author: Dave Pelzer 
Facilitated by: Denise Shugarts 

A Man Named Dave, which has sold over 1 million copies, is the gripping conclusion to Dave Pelzer’s inspirational and New York Times bestselling trilogy of memoirs that began with A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy. 

"All those years you tried your best to break me, and I'm still here. One day you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself." These words were Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother, and they represented the ultimate act of self-reliance. Dave's father never intervened as his mother abused him with shocking brutality, denying him food and clothing, torturing him in any way she could imagine. This was the woman who told her son she could kill him any time she wanted to—and nearly did.  

The more than two million readers of Pelzer's New York Times and international bestselling memoirs A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy know that he lived to tell his courageous story. With stunning generosity of spirit, Dave Pelzer invites readers on his journey to discover how he turned shame into pride and rejection into acceptance. 

Join us for the final book in the trilogy (A Child Called It; The Lost Boy) to discuss topics of adverse childhood experiences and the healing journey to wellness and forgiveness.  

Facilitator Note: You do not need to have read the first two books in order to join us for the third book.  

Format: We will be using a hybrid model for this book study and will only have 2 zoom sessions. The remainder of your time will be spent individually reading the book and logging questions into an online format.  

Book Study Meeting Dates: 
• May 1, 2023: ZOOM Meeting 3:15-4:15 pm 
• Week of May 8th-12th: Independent Work 
• Week of May 15th-19th: Independent Work 
• May 22, 2023: ZOOM Meeting 3:15-4:15 pm 

How It Works:  
• Check out the book from the library or purchase it. 
• Check your email for the ZOOM link and Syllabus (one week prior to the meeting) 
• Join ZOOM using the link provided 
• Read the book as outlined and shared during our first organizational meeting 
• Get ready to share your thoughts and ideas as we journey through the book together in a flexible Zoom (or Google doc format) 
• If you are not present for a ZOOM meeting, you will be required to provide a written summary of the chapters covered in order to receive your hours 
• A certificate with your 15 credit hours will be issued upon completion of the book study 

**15 professional development hours will be awarded for participation in the book study series. A certificate of completion will be provided. 

NOTE: The hours will be awarded for the 2022/2023 school year OR the 2023/2024 school year.