Missing A True Story Of A Childhood Lost

by Marnie Grundman

Once upon a time I was a missing child, a child of the streets. I began running away at the age of five after my mother dropped me out of a two-story window for financial gain. Two broken arms later I was sent to live with my grandparents ... the creators of my mother. I spent the rest of my childhood running, for the last time at the tender age of 13 - this time for good.

Missing: A True Story of a Childhood Lost is a story of a young girl's survival, a woman's surthrival. It is a story of suffering, of rising up against all odds and discovering an appreciation of life.

"I decided that I was going through this hell as a kind of pre-payment for a good life. From a very young age I always knew that better days lay ahead. Now I had an explanation as to why: I was paying up front. I decided that I was destined for greatness and I just had to power through."

Follow Marnie through her journey from stolen childhood to empowered woman as she details firsthand the power of the human spirit to heal and love.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

133 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2016

About the author

Runaway | Homeless Youth | Missing Foster Children Advocate and Expert

Marnie Grundman is the author of MISSING: A True Story of a Childhood Lost. Marnie has been a featured TEDx speaker and on major television and radio shows such as Breakfast Television, Global News, CP24 News, The Marilyn Denis Show, Young Justice with Zach Rhoads, Here and Now CBC, NewsTalk 1010, Wise Women Canada, CJAD, Experience 50 and the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse.

Watch her TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O16O8...

A child who belonged to no one, missing at the tender age of 13, she spent years living on the streets where she experienced the worst of humanity first-hand, In her darkest hours while living in an apartment complex sauna, she was sure that everyone who knew her had forgotten that she even existed. It was in those desperate hours that she decided she was paying up front for a better life that lay ahead.
What began as a story of healing led to one of triumph, of the power of the human spirit, of one woman's surthrival against all odds. Marnie has since become an advocate for the missing, working to change the perception of runaway children so they might finally get the help they desperately need. Her compelling book, engaging talks, and insightful articles have become a shining light to the lost and the struggling. Marnie guides and teaches how not to live their damage, how to heal and overcome, how to rise up and reclaim a life of happiness.

Reviews

[Tommy Groszman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving story! Page turner!!!

[Bob Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest truth

I had a tough childhood and thought of running myself, but I never did. Mine was due to my mother as well, but not because of how she treated me. She died when I was 5, and I spent the rest of my life (I’m 56 now) reliving only a few memories of her that I have carried with me.

I feel for all runaways and wish I could do something good to help. The loss of a childhood is a tragic thing. I had two boys and watched them grow and become adults, which is the greatest gift I have ever received... through them I was able to enjoy childhood myself!

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to dive into the past and save and protect the young Marnie who ran from her house and became homeless for three years. I felt a range of emotions reading this book ranging from anger, concern and ultimately rooting for the author. She is a true testament that whilst we might not have a great childhood, we can build a great future and our past history does not define us.

[Sameer Bhai · Rating 1 out of 5]

very bad book. no plot. weak writing.

[Constance Lechman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brave memoir that is both heartbreaking and inspirational. Bravo!

[Dannyris Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resilience

The resilience Marnie has shown throughout her life is inspiring and empowering. Runaways run for a REASON. When the streets are safer than home.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started following the author on social media and she has a tragic story to share. She turned her childhood trauma into helping others.

[Jmsdc96 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by this autobiography. This book is testament to how the human spirit can overcome even the most tragic life events.
The author has taken what life has flung at her and turned it into success and determination.
Read this book! I look forward to her next one!!

[keevin j berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting

I discovered the writer on TikTok. She talks about her life in snippets. I even commented she should write a book. Well I googled her and surprise, she had written one I just read it. You should too

[Susan Seamans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gotten some great advice from the author from tic toc ,Instagram and u tube.

[Sari Cornfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Missing is a compelling read about a young heroine who against all the odds is determined to fight her way off of the streets without losing herself in the process. The book follows Marnie from her early years and throughout all of her challenges. We follow along as she embarks on a life filled with uncertainty, physical threats to her safety and living conditions that no one should have to endure. Throughout it all, her incredible will to survive kept me rooting for her and riveted to the end. A must read showcasing the challenges of those unlucky enough to be born into a dysfunctional and abusive family life and the horrors of life on the streets. It is an inspiring story of the triumph of the human spirit.

[Willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a daughter of a Narcissistic Mother, I just feel there's a part of Marnie's story that she has left out. The majority of the book was about her life on the run, not really for the cause of it.