What do you think?
Rate this book
RED-HEADED STEPCHILD
Growing up in a dangerous and abusive home at the hands of his stepfather, this red-headed stepchild had been beaten, stabbed, and psychologically tormented. He was manipulated into committing crimes including theft, arson, assault, and murder. Not only was he fearful for his own life but had to consider the safety of his mother and three small sisters from their alcoholic and drug addicted abuser.
After years of absolute torment, there was finally an opportunity of freedom for his family when his dad was imprisoned. However, relief was short lived when his mother died before he had even graduated high school. Fearing that his three half-sisters (ages 9, 7, and 2) would be sent to foster homes, he sought guardianship from the courts despite his young age and criminal past.
Dr. Powell shares a first-hand view of all the pain and suffering that accompanied his child abuse. Despite the circumstances, he shares how he was able to fight against the odds to overcome his past, while protecting his sisters in the process. This is a story of inspiration which demonstrates that none of us are defined by our past, but only by our willingness to succeed.
After years of absolute torment, there was finally an opportunity of freedom for his family when his dad was imprisoned. However, relief was short lived when his mother died before he had even graduated high school. Fearing that his three half-sisters (ages 9, 7, and 2) would be sent to foster homes, he sought guardianship from the courts despite his young age and criminal past.
Dr. Powell shares a first-hand view of all the pain and suffering that accompanied his child abuse. Despite the circumstances, he shares how he was able to fight against the odds to overcome his past, while protecting his sisters in the process. This is a story of inspiration which demonstrates that none of us are defined by our past, but only by our willingness to succeed.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2023
21 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 24, 2024
I have to start with the trigger warnings for this one. This book is not fiction; it's the authors true story of his brutal childhood fighting for survival for himself, his mom, and his sisters from his drug-addled abusive step-father. It contains graphic depictions of verbal, mental, and physical abuse.
This book does go into detail about events that no child should have to go through, I will not detail those events in this review. I read the physical book and very quickly began to tab each time I swore out loud because the things I was reading were so unfathomable to me as a mother (and decent human). There were also three moments where I had to put the book down, walk away and take a few deep breaths before continuing to read.
After tormenting this family for years, the monster is finally arrested and sent away for a long time. Their happiness is short lived when their mother passes away, leaving eighteen year old Jason, who was still in high school, fighting for guardianship of his three sisters, who were nine, seven, and two at the time.
Despite all of this hardship, this book has a happy ending. The author has gone on to earn multiple college degrees, including a PhD, he raised his sisters to be successful people, got married and had two kids, and wrote this book about his life.
If you can make it through the gory details of his childhood, this book is truly inspiring. It's well written and I finished it in about twenty-four hours, even with my breaks to gather myself. I highly recommend this book to fans of non-fiction who can handle this type of content.
This book does go into detail about events that no child should have to go through, I will not detail those events in this review. I read the physical book and very quickly began to tab each time I swore out loud because the things I was reading were so unfathomable to me as a mother (and decent human). There were also three moments where I had to put the book down, walk away and take a few deep breaths before continuing to read.
After tormenting this family for years, the monster is finally arrested and sent away for a long time. Their happiness is short lived when their mother passes away, leaving eighteen year old Jason, who was still in high school, fighting for guardianship of his three sisters, who were nine, seven, and two at the time.
Despite all of this hardship, this book has a happy ending. The author has gone on to earn multiple college degrees, including a PhD, he raised his sisters to be successful people, got married and had two kids, and wrote this book about his life.
If you can make it through the gory details of his childhood, this book is truly inspiring. It's well written and I finished it in about twenty-four hours, even with my breaks to gather myself. I highly recommend this book to fans of non-fiction who can handle this type of content.
June 23, 2024
we have the honor of Knowing Dr Powell and he is a remarkable & remarkably well adjusted human being who has made himself vulnerable to the public eye in hopes of helping others face their own very difficult situations
He is a shining example of what perserverence kindness & caring can be and can do..
we didnt know him as a kid during his troubles but they made him the strong wonderful human being that he is.
its hard to read in much of it- there is so much pain flowing thru the pages but his strength shows thru every one of them and that is what gives a rise to hope.
i HIGHLY recommend it.
He is a shining example of what perserverence kindness & caring can be and can do..
we didnt know him as a kid during his troubles but they made him the strong wonderful human being that he is.
its hard to read in much of it- there is so much pain flowing thru the pages but his strength shows thru every one of them and that is what gives a rise to hope.
i HIGHLY recommend it.
October 26, 2023
I have no words but then have so many I am still left speechless. To know that this still goes on in many households. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope this gives hope to the others that are suffering.
June 9, 2025
a remarkable story in every way possable.
This very well written book is a real testimony of having to endure abuse and hardship without loosing your soul.
It is hard to imagine anyone, let alone a small child living through the horrid abuse that this man did.
It’s even harder to understand how a person such as his stepfather could think up and preform the cruelty that he inflicted on his family, he is a monster.
We all say “ why didn’t someone do something” and then, through stories like this, we see how hard it is to change these situations!
We are grandparents to four grandsons who were also abused. We did all we could to enrich their lives and let them know how precious they are, but we were powerless to step in and remove them from their home because of the laws and the lying and manipulating ways of their parents.
Unless you are in those circumstances yourself, you can’t know how hard it is.
This young man is outstanding in every way possible and a shining beacon for all who read his story.
Congratulations on all you have accomplished, all you have become and all that your future still holds for you and your family.
Our boys also overcame their childhood and are the fine,loving men we knew they would be.
Much love and respect to you and your then young wife…such a huge job for two very young people to take on but you both did and did it well.
Much respect to your second wife who also loves and supports your 5 children. Two remarkable women who stepped up when it was needed.
Your story will live on with not only this book, but by everyone who knew you then and Knows you now. You have touched so many peoples hearts. Thank you from the bottom of mine.
This very well written book is a real testimony of having to endure abuse and hardship without loosing your soul.
It is hard to imagine anyone, let alone a small child living through the horrid abuse that this man did.
It’s even harder to understand how a person such as his stepfather could think up and preform the cruelty that he inflicted on his family, he is a monster.
We all say “ why didn’t someone do something” and then, through stories like this, we see how hard it is to change these situations!
We are grandparents to four grandsons who were also abused. We did all we could to enrich their lives and let them know how precious they are, but we were powerless to step in and remove them from their home because of the laws and the lying and manipulating ways of their parents.
Unless you are in those circumstances yourself, you can’t know how hard it is.
This young man is outstanding in every way possible and a shining beacon for all who read his story.
Congratulations on all you have accomplished, all you have become and all that your future still holds for you and your family.
Our boys also overcame their childhood and are the fine,loving men we knew they would be.
Much love and respect to you and your then young wife…such a huge job for two very young people to take on but you both did and did it well.
Much respect to your second wife who also loves and supports your 5 children. Two remarkable women who stepped up when it was needed.
Your story will live on with not only this book, but by everyone who knew you then and Knows you now. You have touched so many peoples hearts. Thank you from the bottom of mine.
April 26, 2024
I grew up one street away from Dr. Powell. I knew some of his story... I knew who his parents were and two of his sisters. We were friends in our tween/early teen years, but we grew apart as we got older. I moved away when I was around 20, and pretty much lost all contact with people from the desert. I was browsing GoodReads one night, and was pleasantly surprised to see that Dr. Powell had written a book about his life story. I was looking for a good inspiring story, so naturally I had to read his book. As I stated, I knew who his parents were... Everyone who lived in our small town knew who they were. I knew about his step dad, the things he had done, witnessed what an a**hole he was, but I never had any idea the level of abuse that he suffered in silence. Anyone who has suffered childhood abuse should read this book. Any teenager struggling with their family situation should read this book. I was always amazed at resilience and determination that Dr. Powell had at a very young age, but now, having read more about his story, I am even more impressed with his good-hearted nature and selflessness. This book, and it's telling of Dr. Powell's story is the definition of, "Never judge a book by its cover."
Good Read indeed.
Good Read indeed.
November 17, 2024
First, I am grateful for Dr Jason Powell for sharing his story with the world. The story of his trauma and knowing that he has overcome so much gives me a lot of hope.
Jason tells his story in a way that makes you feel like a part of it, like you are watching it happen. Knowing Jason and how it ends, it makes me very proud to know he didn’t let his abuse and trauma continue with him. He made the choice to do better and stop the cycle.
I know that many parts of his story will resonate with my school community. I see this as a beacon of hope for others.
I’m grateful that he is sharing his story… it will make others like him feel less alone. And we all need to feel that in the world.
Jason tells his story in a way that makes you feel like a part of it, like you are watching it happen. Knowing Jason and how it ends, it makes me very proud to know he didn’t let his abuse and trauma continue with him. He made the choice to do better and stop the cycle.
I know that many parts of his story will resonate with my school community. I see this as a beacon of hope for others.
I’m grateful that he is sharing his story… it will make others like him feel less alone. And we all need to feel that in the world.
September 2, 2024
Moving and impactful story
This book kept me turning the pages just to find out how it would end. I heard about this book from the high school website now that my kids are at the school he's teaching at. I'm so thankful to hear of the ways that this author continues to share and live out his message of hope for those who may feel there is no hope.
This book kept me turning the pages just to find out how it would end. I heard about this book from the high school website now that my kids are at the school he's teaching at. I'm so thankful to hear of the ways that this author continues to share and live out his message of hope for those who may feel there is no hope.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews