What do you think?
Rate this book
My Way Home: Growing Up Homeless in America
His life was barely worth a dollar. He slept outside, on park benches, in stairwells, under bushes. Michael Gaulden lived in shelter after shelter across the United States. With his father incarcerated and mother disabled, he stayed homeless for ten years. From the age of seven to seventeen, Michael, with his mother and sister, journeyed along his own underground railroad, desperately searching for a way to free his family from the sewers of society. Michael learned death was a big part of youth homelessness. Education was not. To survive, he had to become something more. Caught in between two worlds– his dreams vs. his reality– violence, gangsters, hunger, poverty, and sorrow marked his daily life. Michael vowed to change his fate through getting his high school diploma. He never hoped to dream that not only would he graduate from high school but also from a prestigious California university. This is the true story of a homeless boy, marked for prison or worse, who fought against tremendous odds and persevered to achieve academic and professional success.
- GenresNonfiction
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2017
54 people are currently reading
74 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2021
Agh. finishing this book i had real tears of joy in my eyes, and i can tell that Michael is an incredible speaker. i’ve never read a book like this— so dedicated to documenting a childhood of homelessness and what it takes to get out of it. Amazing!!!
Read
August 5, 2019A thoughtful and true account of first-hand experience living in homelessness. Michael and his family demonstrate perseverance and determination to rise beyond their circumstances. They set a great example of why its critical to not judge those suffering in poverty and to value people as individuals.
October 31, 2017
You won't read a memoir from someone who grew up homeless very often, not because there aren't many, but because there aren't many who live.
Michael lived from 7 to 17 on the streets and lived to tell the tale. You owe it to yourself to read what he has to say. I talented spoken word artist who can hold his own against anyone who has been on Def Poetry or the National Slam stage.
Michael lived from 7 to 17 on the streets and lived to tell the tale. You owe it to yourself to read what he has to say. I talented spoken word artist who can hold his own against anyone who has been on Def Poetry or the National Slam stage.
January 20, 2019
EVERYONE needs to read this book. Education transforms lives. Michael’s resilience and determination to change his life is a testament to the human spirit and ability to overcome the most heartbreaking challenges.
May 26, 2023
What An Inspirational Journey!
I don't know why but I have always had a heart for those who are dealing with homelessness and tried to help when I could. I have fortunately never been homeless myself but I recognize it truly can happen to most anyone. So I bought this book expecting to read about someone experiencing a relatively short period of being homeless which, ANY time being homeless is a painful and stressful thing. I realized as I was reading that although I've read memoirs and articles on homelessness, I have never read about a family unit being homeless. It's always been a single person's experience. I've also never read about long term homelessness and how, once caught up in it, it truly takes a LOT of effort, grit, determination and more to fight your way out of it.
This book tells the true story of that grit and hard work of Michael, his sister and his Mom. It opened my eyes to aspects of being homeless I hadn't even considered. Things like how does a kid get their homework done when they have no reliable electricity source to see, or when they can't type a paper without a laptop? And, what happens if you or a family member suddenly become ill enough to need surgery, other extensive treatment or medical care? How does one recover adequately with no clean bed to lay down on and insufficient nutrition? How does one stay clean and avoid a post surgical infection? Which should you choose when you're homeless and you have to decide between a small amount of food for each person and gas or public transportation money to get to work and school?
This book broke my heart for Michael and his family! To have to strip almost naked and stand outside in line for showers is an indignity no one deserves. And how awful that EDUCATORS or para-professionals working in the schools, rather than pulling the person aside privately and asking about their situation and actually LISTENING, would rather judge, punish and shame. I had hoped even ONE teacher would have said privately to Michael "Hey, I saved you some extra food from the cafeteria for you to have later..." Or "My classroom is a safe place. If you need to talk or if I can help you with anything, please don't hesitate to talk to me! In the meantime, here's a gift card, use it for food or whatever you need."
The book is VERY well written, professionally edited, captivates, informs and inspires as Michael and his family are determined to find a way through. And they do!
I don't know why but I have always had a heart for those who are dealing with homelessness and tried to help when I could. I have fortunately never been homeless myself but I recognize it truly can happen to most anyone. So I bought this book expecting to read about someone experiencing a relatively short period of being homeless which, ANY time being homeless is a painful and stressful thing. I realized as I was reading that although I've read memoirs and articles on homelessness, I have never read about a family unit being homeless. It's always been a single person's experience. I've also never read about long term homelessness and how, once caught up in it, it truly takes a LOT of effort, grit, determination and more to fight your way out of it.
This book tells the true story of that grit and hard work of Michael, his sister and his Mom. It opened my eyes to aspects of being homeless I hadn't even considered. Things like how does a kid get their homework done when they have no reliable electricity source to see, or when they can't type a paper without a laptop? And, what happens if you or a family member suddenly become ill enough to need surgery, other extensive treatment or medical care? How does one recover adequately with no clean bed to lay down on and insufficient nutrition? How does one stay clean and avoid a post surgical infection? Which should you choose when you're homeless and you have to decide between a small amount of food for each person and gas or public transportation money to get to work and school?
This book broke my heart for Michael and his family! To have to strip almost naked and stand outside in line for showers is an indignity no one deserves. And how awful that EDUCATORS or para-professionals working in the schools, rather than pulling the person aside privately and asking about their situation and actually LISTENING, would rather judge, punish and shame. I had hoped even ONE teacher would have said privately to Michael "Hey, I saved you some extra food from the cafeteria for you to have later..." Or "My classroom is a safe place. If you need to talk or if I can help you with anything, please don't hesitate to talk to me! In the meantime, here's a gift card, use it for food or whatever you need."
The book is VERY well written, professionally edited, captivates, informs and inspires as Michael and his family are determined to find a way through. And they do!
January 10, 2018
This is a raw, unadorned survival story. It is especially grueling when you consider the fact that it takes place in a world not made by Michael Gaulden. He is opening his personal history up to us in order to show us this ugly world he grew up in. Surviving as a homeless boy would only be worse if it were the North, where climate kills. Nonetheless, this happens in one of the rich cities in the richest state of the union. Why? Because human apathy has blinded the plight of the unfortunate to their basic needs and rights. The story gripped me from the beginning, rough edges and all.
Michael, along with his sister and mother, did not chose this lifestyle, as some homeless people have done. He was surrounded by circumstances that were fixed in stone, beyond his control. "I was chained to my homelessness," he says. "I never had the chance to screw up in life. I started at the bottom." This is a sentence that no youth or adult should ever have imposed on them in the world's wealthiest nation. But Gaulden has shown us that it is right out there in front of us, destroying people and grinding hope to a standstill. He endures because although 'it is hard to build off nothing', he knows that hardcore perseverance and belief in himself must pay off. With the aid of some public programs, he finally breaks the cycle and gets some prime education. Economic miracles can happen even for the lowest of the low. It should be a wake-up call to those who are able to help, because more help is needed in order to come home in America. This is one brave young man.
Michael, along with his sister and mother, did not chose this lifestyle, as some homeless people have done. He was surrounded by circumstances that were fixed in stone, beyond his control. "I was chained to my homelessness," he says. "I never had the chance to screw up in life. I started at the bottom." This is a sentence that no youth or adult should ever have imposed on them in the world's wealthiest nation. But Gaulden has shown us that it is right out there in front of us, destroying people and grinding hope to a standstill. He endures because although 'it is hard to build off nothing', he knows that hardcore perseverance and belief in himself must pay off. With the aid of some public programs, he finally breaks the cycle and gets some prime education. Economic miracles can happen even for the lowest of the low. It should be a wake-up call to those who are able to help, because more help is needed in order to come home in America. This is one brave young man.
November 24, 2017
After a long stint reading fiction, I was ready to check out some true-to-life material. My Way Home is a cleanly and clearly organized memoir from an author with a voice that speaks directly to the experience he describes, with all of its pain.
Author Michael Gaulden gets our attention straightaway with a scene familiar to anyone who has walked down the street and been asked for change, the dialogue crisply bringing this scenario into light. It isn’t long before the scene takes a different turn. This seemingly normal day-to-day exchange turns into tension and pulls us into the reading.
Gaulden goes on to deliver portraits of other homeless people in the book, and portraits of the danger of living on the street. There are chapters that deal with questions of faith and personal loss. The author’s experience makes its way into the descriptions that are laced throughout the book. Gaulden keeps the crisp dialogue priming the reader from the earlier chapters all the way to the end.
It might have been the time of year for my reading, but the chapter “Thanks(for)giving” particularly caught my interest.
I appreciate any literary endeavor in which an author tells their story with honesty and clarity. This book serves as a glowing example of a portrayal of one person’s life. It was no small surprise to me to learn that Gaulden is also a researcher, as his prose is clean and the dialogue comes through clearly, capturing the moments that make up this story.
Author Michael Gaulden gets our attention straightaway with a scene familiar to anyone who has walked down the street and been asked for change, the dialogue crisply bringing this scenario into light. It isn’t long before the scene takes a different turn. This seemingly normal day-to-day exchange turns into tension and pulls us into the reading.
Gaulden goes on to deliver portraits of other homeless people in the book, and portraits of the danger of living on the street. There are chapters that deal with questions of faith and personal loss. The author’s experience makes its way into the descriptions that are laced throughout the book. Gaulden keeps the crisp dialogue priming the reader from the earlier chapters all the way to the end.
It might have been the time of year for my reading, but the chapter “Thanks(for)giving” particularly caught my interest.
I appreciate any literary endeavor in which an author tells their story with honesty and clarity. This book serves as a glowing example of a portrayal of one person’s life. It was no small surprise to me to learn that Gaulden is also a researcher, as his prose is clean and the dialogue comes through clearly, capturing the moments that make up this story.
August 21, 2019
My Way Home: Growing Up Homeless in America
Michael's story is all too familiar yet not familiar enough. It's familiar in that he was one of the thousands of homeless individuals out there, a homeless child from a homeless family. It's not familiar enough because stories like his aren't listened to or heard enough.
While there are thousands of stories about homelessness, too few are consumed by the public at large. This one hits close to home because it's a story from my hometown...from my home. The national media--be it the news, movies, cable TV, streaming services, books--doesn't pay much attention to the stories surrounding those experiencing homelessness. Maybe because it's ugly. Because it says so much about our society, and who we are as citizens. It's much easier to look away and let someone else deal with this problem while simultaneously complaining about it.
I urge you to listen to Michael's story, and do what you can to make a positive difference for someone like Michael that you pass on the street.
Michael's story is all too familiar yet not familiar enough. It's familiar in that he was one of the thousands of homeless individuals out there, a homeless child from a homeless family. It's not familiar enough because stories like his aren't listened to or heard enough.
While there are thousands of stories about homelessness, too few are consumed by the public at large. This one hits close to home because it's a story from my hometown...from my home. The national media--be it the news, movies, cable TV, streaming services, books--doesn't pay much attention to the stories surrounding those experiencing homelessness. Maybe because it's ugly. Because it says so much about our society, and who we are as citizens. It's much easier to look away and let someone else deal with this problem while simultaneously complaining about it.
I urge you to listen to Michael's story, and do what you can to make a positive difference for someone like Michael that you pass on the street.
May 2, 2020
I selected this book for MMD Reading Challenge - local author. I listened to the audio all the way through, it was a great story of triumph and over coming adversity. What struck me the most is how he had more self worth and pride as a homeless man than I do. It was inspirational and eye opening. Loved it!!
September 20, 2022
Life changing book
I couldn't put this book down. My dad grew up hungry and poor but not homeless so I was raised to help others when I could. This book opened my eyes and heart and I will give more and give better. Truly life changing for me, an old white woman who hopes to make a difference. Thank you Michael Gaulden.
I couldn't put this book down. My dad grew up hungry and poor but not homeless so I was raised to help others when I could. This book opened my eyes and heart and I will give more and give better. Truly life changing for me, an old white woman who hopes to make a difference. Thank you Michael Gaulden.
April 1, 2021
Amazing book
This was one of those books you really will never forget. At brilliantly conveyed both a sense of hopelessness as well as a desire to never give up and succeed. I recommended very strongly to everyone interested in a person who overcame amazing obstacles
This was one of those books you really will never forget. At brilliantly conveyed both a sense of hopelessness as well as a desire to never give up and succeed. I recommended very strongly to everyone interested in a person who overcame amazing obstacles
October 8, 2019
Great book. Fills my inspiration tank and reinvigorates me on the importance of our work
July 17, 2023
Great read
It was a great read. Opened my eyes to homelessness. His writing takes you with him on his journey. It's a quick read but I liked it
It was a great read. Opened my eyes to homelessness. His writing takes you with him on his journey. It's a quick read but I liked it
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews