Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
25th out of 322 books
—
455 voters
I Know My First Name Is Steven
Bright and likeable, seven-year-old Steven Stayner always listened to his mother. Especially about talking to strangers. But when soft spoken "Reverend" Parnell asked to speak with his mother about church, Steven guessed it would be okay. Until he got into the man's car. By then, it was too late.Held captive by convicted child molester Kenneth Eugene Parnell for seven year...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
October 15th 1999
by Pinnacle
(first published December 1st 1991)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,393)
While I know this story is true as most of my childhood was arranged based on Stevens story, I felt it hollow and self involved...there were parts which were enlightening...areas where as a parent you thank the author for bringing things too their attention...I felt it read more like a television interview and for me it was dry and tasteless
I know that this is a true story, but it felt hollow when I was reading it. It didn't ring true for me. In one of the three prefaces, the "best friend" describes how horrible everything was for her and not once shows genuine concern. The author said that he wanted the tre story out but it did n way.ot read that
The true story of the abduction of a young boy and how he had the courage to run when his abductor picked out a new victim. It is difficult to read about him trying to blend back into his family. He never really had a normal life afterwards. Ironically his brother went on to murder women in Yosemite Park.
What an enthralling True Crime book! It was astounding how this boy was stolen when he was young, yet somehow they still managed to have him come back to his parents when he was a teen, and he managed to integrate! This one definately made me cry.
I think this book is amazing, but it made me slightly paranoid as a parent. Parents WORST nightmare. I think I would be close to giving up if this happened to my son.... leaves you with a horrible horrible sick feeling.
Based on the true story of Steven Stayner who was abducted as a 7 year old. This book tells the story of who took him, where they went, and what happened along the way until he escaped seven years later.
The book overall was horrible. It was written poorly in an uninteresting way, and read like a textbook rather than a story. The only reason I kept reading it is because the first chapter baited me with a glimpse of his return home. I forced myself to drudge through page after page until it anti-c...more
The book overall was horrible. It was written poorly in an uninteresting way, and read like a textbook rather than a story. The only reason I kept reading it is because the first chapter baited me with a glimpse of his return home. I forced myself to drudge through page after page until it anti-c...more
This isn't stellar literature from a writing perspective, but it's an important story that needed to be told. I'm hoping California state laws for child predators have been updated since the book was published.
One of my favourite, this case just got to me. I was just born when he was kidnapped..
I watch the movie like every half year, the movie is also awesome!
I watch the movie like every half year, the movie is also awesome!
one of the many tragic child abduction and abuse cases. i cannot even begin to imagine going thru something like this with one of my children. RIP : Steven Staynor - u are finally at peace.
I give this one a "4" for the inherent power of the story and the insights provided by the author's research and many interviews. A fifth star is lost due to spotty writing skills and the inappropriate, sleazy sensationalism of including the Cary Stayner story in this 1999 edition.
Quick read but by no means is it an easy read. Very sad, graphic and shocking. Those w/a weak stomach shouldn't read.
Horrid but powerful story. It can be a tough read from beginning to end.
Compelling case, really awkward writing and editing. :(
Dec 16, 2009
Shalamar
added it
this is a real sad and emotional book but yet a good one.
I had to read this after I saw the movie when I was kid. When I saw it I don't think I was old enough to understand it. I read it and cried almost through the whole book. Read in 2 days. It keep me hooked.
view all 5 comments
True Crime. This is the true story of the well publicsized Steven Stayner Abduction Case.
Dec 12, 2012
Rachel Schlow
added it
i read this. it turns out his first name WAS steven. kenneth parnell's name is very similar to kenneth parcell of 30 rock fame.
excellent book about an kidnapping of a young boy.what he went through a must read.....
Wow. The subject matter is disturbing, but interesting. I thought I would be able to make it through, but had to stop after a few chapters. I read before I go to bed, and the subject of this book doesn't exactly set the reader up for peaceful dreams.
The Stayner family's life is twice touched by crime: first, when their seven-year-old son, Steven, was abducted by a sexual predator and kept for seven years, and again when Steven's brother, Cary, murdered four women in Yosemite national park.
I picked this book up in the Winnipeg Airport on our way to Toronto. I read it in a day or two. It is the story of a boy that was abducted and returned to his bio-family seven years later. His brother was the Yosemite Killer, Cary Stayner. Strange...
I remember reading this as a young adult and the story still is ingrained in me...
When I became a parent it was always in the back of my mind and will never leave...
Eerie and haunting but definately worth reading!
When I became a parent it was always in the back of my mind and will never leave...
Eerie and haunting but definately worth reading!
I've read this book a couple of times. It's so shocking and sad. A true story of what happens to children who are kidnapped and not murdered. What it does to them and their families.
I really loved this book. Very hard to put down, and a compelling story to read. It was so interesting to see the other side of such a situation. I am sure a story not likely always known.
I've read this one many times and it still affects me each time. It's now made even more sad by knowing the trouble his brother Cary has caused.
Very chilling and disturbing... It was hard for me to read at some points, as I am a mother. A good read for true crime lovers.
The movie always fascinated and now I own the book!
Jun 18, 2013
Kellie
marked it as to-read
Jun 18, 2013
Aaron Welch
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
