A Chance in the World (Young Readers Edition): An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home

by Steve Pemberton

No matter how broken our past or great our misfortunes, we can create a new beginning and build a life of love and kindness. Taken from his mother at age three, Steve Klakowicz lives in the clutches of a cruel foster family. He finds his only refuge in a box of books given to him by a kind stranger, books that take him to new worlds he can only imagine. He begins to hope that one day he might have a different life. As he grows, Steve is determined to unravel the mystery of his origins and find his birth family. A light-skinned boy with blue eyes, a curly Afro, and a Polish last name, he embarks on an extraordinary quest for his identity, armed with only one clue. Yet nothing is as it appears. In this inspiring and harrowing memoir, A Chance in the World teaches This new youth adaption, written for 8 to 12 year-olds, shares Steve's journey with sensitivity, honesty, and hope. Adapted from the USA Today bestselling memoir, A Chance in the World.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2021

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

A Chance in the World is a book by Steve Pemberton that has been adapted for younger readers.
This story is devastating but brings to light the cruelties and abuse that still goes on in the world. I hope any young reader who reads this and is experiencing similar abuse recognises it for what it is and asks for help!
Steve is an absolute inspiration. The way he has survived is truly amazing and I lived that he found an escape in the pages of books!
The book shows different types of abuse Steve was subjected to - physical and verbal, and how each can mentally affect you. He found a strength to build himself back up and turn these negative abusive words into courage to help him do so!
This book is utterly inspirational and I loved that Steve eventually found his way back to his family.
I hope this book helps many children like Steve and teaches them they must stand up and get help and not put up with any form of abuse. How this foster family got away with so much by fooling the authorities is appealing and shows how these things do still happen today. This needs to stop!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I read the adult version of A Chance In The World several years ago and gave it a 5 star review. So I knew this young readers edition would be a great book too.
This edition does a good job of describing the violence and trauma without being overly frightening for children. After some chapters, there are a question or two that relate to the book but also for the reader to think about for their own lives. Perfect reading guide for kids.

[Aanya Sachdeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I sincerely hope that no one has to go through what the main character Steve went through and if someone does then please do contact the concerned authorities :).
This book highlights the life of an orphan who was abused by his foster family. It showed the way he never lost hope and threw light on emotional and physical abuse, how just some words can hurt and break you, and some words can build you into who you are.
Its touching how the protagonist finds sanctuary in books and how they inspire him.
The main part definitely has to be how Robinsons' fooled all the social workers and how the ones who knew were afraid to speak up, and that has to change.
I'm glad that the author was finally able to come out an tell the truth and inform his social workers, and that he found his family!
I love how in the end Steve choose to help others like him!
And the questions at the end of each chapter are relatable and nice!
It's a must read for all people! 🙂
My rating 5 out of 5
Full review on my blog.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher to review.

This powerful memoir tells the story of a boy growing up in an abusive foster home who longs to learn of the family he knows nothing about. The author previously wrote his memoir for adults and this edition is adapted for young readers and also includes discussion questions and resources for stopping abuse.

While there are many aspects that broke my heart (and I’ve included trigger warnings at the end of the review), the overall feel of the book is hopeful and full of light. It was inspiring to see the ways Steve found meaning and peace despite being fed the message that he “didn’t have a chance in the world.” As well as seeing how one person can make a difference in another’s life path. I love the idea shared of being a lighthouse to others. This was a very quick but meaningful read that I had a hard time putting down.

Trigger warnings: physical and emotional abuse, physical neglect, discussion of addiction, foster care trauma and familial separation.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the incredible true story of an amazing person. It teaches us that no matter how broken our past or great our misfortunes, we can create a new beginning and build a life filled with love and kindness. I haven’t read the longer more adult version, but this book is written with sensitivity, honesty, and best of all hope. The figures concerning the future success of foster children is staggering against them. There are many good and loving foster parents I know personally and they are not fooling the public like Betty did. There are mediocre fosters and then there are the cruel ones that we read about in the news. At least if you are a foster child of parents who wind up as newsworthy on the negative side, you ,probably did get out. unfortunately Steve endured his personal abuse/torture for 11 years.

The following are not my words but very worth repeating...

Chance in the World teaches children:

... to begin each day with hope
... that there is goodness in the world, and it is possible to be a beacon of light for others
... that they can overcome challenging circumstances
... that everyone comes from different backgrounds and has value
... to apply Steve's inspirational message to their own lives, through age-appropriate discussion questions.

There are many questions posed throughout the book to ponder.

Steve was taken from his mother at age three, Yes his mother abused alcohol and drugs. But he was placed in a home that was worse than his drugged mother. He lived in the clutches of a cruel foster family. He finds his only refuge in a box of books given to him by a kind stranger, books that take him to new worlds he can only imagine.

Some how this young man found hope that offered him a different life.

As he matures, Steve is determined to unravel his past. Steve is a light-skinned boy with blue eyes, a curly Afro, and a Polish last name.

This incredible true story takes the reader on an extraordinary quest searching for his identity, armed with only one clue.
You will be stunned at what he finds.

[Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this uplifting and inspiring middle grade book!

It's adapted from the adult novel (which I have not read, so I can't compare) but it follows the author's journey from when he was a young boy stuck in foster care. After bouncing around to multiple homes in his early years, he ends up with one family who continuously berates and abuses him. However hard he tries to get out, he is stuck in the styem.

What's amazing is how he handles this burden. He turns to books for solace, learns to read, wins a spelling bee, and excels at school. The story is geared towards the younger set but the wisdom instilled applies to everyone.

- begin each day with hope
- there is still goodness in the world
- you can overcome any challenge or circumstance
- everyone is different and has value
- you can be a light to others, even in the darkest of times

I loved that at the end of each chapter, the author poses some questions. Whether used for inner thought or outer discussion, this book enables you to dive a little deeper if you choose.

A wonderful story of hope.

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[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Chance in the World (Young Readers Edition)
An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home
by Steve Pemberton
Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S
Thomas Nelson
Children's Nonfiction | Christian | Middle Grade
Pub Date 20 Apr 2021


I am reviewing a copy of A Chance in the World (Young Readers Addition through Thomas Nelson Children’s and Netgalley:



This is the story of Steve Pemberton, who endured abusive foster homes, one of which he had to endure intense physical, emotions. Steve refuses to let this abusive family who for years has everyone fooled, and then he finds his voice to speak up, and after eleven years with a horribly abusive family, he finally is able to get out of there.






During this time he becomes determined to find his real family, while attending college, making a career for himself and having three children. He refused to let what the family he had been with let him beat him down, no matter how many times they told him he was worthless, he worked to get a good education, from the time he was young he had found his escape in books.



If you are a young person looking for a inspirational book about overcoming against all odds, and not letting words beat you down.



I give A Chance in the World five out of five stars !



Happy Reading!

[Amanda Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well-done version of an adult memoir, perfectly adapted for middle grade readers. The author handles tough topics (abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and death) in an age-appropriate way. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking and invite the reader to make personal connections to the book. The themes of hopefulness, perseverance, and survival help offset the brutally sad descriptions of the author's childhood. It's an inspiring story for young readers who may be dealing with their own abusive or neglectful circumstances, and includes resources for who to reach out to for support. It's also important for children who haven't experienced these situations to build awareness and empathy for others; the book and its discussion questions would be a valuable addition to any classroom, library, or homeschool. I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[bohemianrhapsodyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true story of a little boy who finds himself in all too common of a position that many children find themselves in. He lives with a terrible foster family and the only glimmer of hope that he has is a box of books that a stranger has given him and that box of books let him explore his imagination and gives him freedom to live lives that he never has before. This is a true story of a little boy on a quest to find who he truly is and where he really came from. This book teaches us that no matter how many times life knocks us down we can get back up and there is always hope.

I just reviewed A Chance in the World (Young Readers Edition) by Steve Pemberton. #AChanceintheWorldYoungReadersEdition #NetGalley

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing story, and very inspirational. I found it hard to read at times, because of the way Steve was treated, but I loved the way he found hope to keep living and going on. This book shows very clearly what an influence for good there can be on a child's life just by showing some kindness to him. My favorite people in this story were the ones who showed up only briefly but gave Steve some love in the midst of his hopeless, mistreated and abused childhood.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Elizabeth Hudacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because it was on sale and I thought what the heck maybe the grandchildren will like it. I read it because I was unsure if it would be appropriate. I will still give it to Mom and Dad for approval but I found it to be a beautiful story of hope. There were parts that were horrible and very difficult to read but overall it is a story of the human soul's ability to prevail in even the darkest times.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve had an extremely difficult life in foster care. Growing up, he had to fight for so many opportunities that I have taken for granted, including reading a book. His voice is raw and honest. I am glad he was able to pivot and use it for good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

[Robbie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the honesty of the story & how he dealt with the abuse I childhood. As a teacher, I also appreciated that he had questions at end of chapters for readers to think about & journal. Makes it good for book club questions!
Happy that Steve has found happiness after such a struggle in his younger years and the people that stood in the gap to help him become who he is today!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about the hardships the author faced growing up and how he overcame it. Audiobook was a little flat but the context was so heart wrenching it was easy to keep going. Steve Pemberton is such an inspiration! He asked tough but self reflective questions at the end of chapter. Great book to help kids learn how to keep going and overcome whatever they may face.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review on Amazon. com under C, Wong. Thank you.

[Esther Sintim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trials this man went through, the search for his family and the lessons he learned are amazing. It is aimed at young readers but that made it an easy read which with all that emotion was fine.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard to read but good book. Though a story that should be told, I recommend for students 7th grade and above due to content and descriptions of abuse.

[Tim Wester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad story of cruelty in foster home

[Karen Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely made for discussion. Some hard topics are covered.

[ihaveabook4that · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true story based on the author, Steve Pemberton’s, memoir. I was hooked from the very first page and could not put it down.

An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home. It’s written with sensitivity, honesty, and hope for 8 to 12 year olds.

I love that each chapter ends with discussion questions that are perfect for class discussions or reflecting on one’s self while reading independently.

This is definitely one of my favorite Middle Grade books ever!

*Trigger Warning - the book deals with abuse that may be difficult for some to read.

This book was sent to me in exchange for my participation in the book tour, but all reviews are my own. This book publishes 4/20.