What do you think?
Rate this book
Syrup Sandwiches: Choose Not to Give Up
2023 Award-winning book that recently earned acclaim from the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Awards!
#1 BIPOC book of the year!
Syrup Sandwiches Choose Not to Give Up! was also nominated for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award.
Syrup Sandwiches is a powerful story about a young black boy who defeats the odds. Anthony Owens shares how he became a successful man as he had to rise above the expected outcome for a child raised in poverty. Even though he was subjected to neglectful, abusive men, Anthony understood the importance of breaking this cycle to become the caring and responsible father he never had. Anthony Owens is one of the underrepresented voices in America – a black man raised by a single mother struggling to make ends meet; he speaks for voices that so often go unheard. Faced with the odds of poverty, an absentee father, trauma, violence, and bullying, Anthony gives us a raw look at how he was determined not to be defined by his circumstances and makes a way out of no way. Syrup Sandwiches is an inspiring story that gives hope to all children, especially poor children of color, providing a message of hope and success. In a time when society is looking at stories that speak to the black American experience, this is a story that is unapologetically authentic.
Anthony Owens felt compelled to write this memoir because far too many children are facing issues such as poverty, bullying, domestic abuse, single parenting, discrimination, fatherlessness, and a myriad of other issues that he endured. Syrup Sandwiches reveals Anthony Owens' plight as it uncovers how he was able to choose success. This memoir provides hope for those facing similar issues. For those fortunate enough not to have known these hardships, it gives a real-life glimpse into what it was like to be poor, black, and living in a big city in the 70’s. Others may connect to Syrup Sandwiches through the details of Anthony's plight while revealing how he was able to overcome the odds. Some may connect to Syrup Sandwiches because they too grew up in similar circumstances and are able to look back at what once was. This memoir provides hope; a reminder that there is a way out. Those who work with children can gain insight into what it takes for children to overcome the odds, what it is exactly that promotes success for all children. Anthony believes he is the best person to write this memoir because he has lived through hell, and when giving up was his only option, he chose not to. When he could have easily allowed all the problems in his life to change who he was, he chose to look up, tuning out all the naysayers, and charting his way forward. His goal for Syrup Sandwiches is for readers to see that even when life is unpredictable and challenging, giving up is not an option. Entertaining and inspiring Syrup Sandwiches is a must read for everyone.
#1 BIPOC book of the year!
Syrup Sandwiches Choose Not to Give Up! was also nominated for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award.
Syrup Sandwiches is a powerful story about a young black boy who defeats the odds. Anthony Owens shares how he became a successful man as he had to rise above the expected outcome for a child raised in poverty. Even though he was subjected to neglectful, abusive men, Anthony understood the importance of breaking this cycle to become the caring and responsible father he never had. Anthony Owens is one of the underrepresented voices in America – a black man raised by a single mother struggling to make ends meet; he speaks for voices that so often go unheard. Faced with the odds of poverty, an absentee father, trauma, violence, and bullying, Anthony gives us a raw look at how he was determined not to be defined by his circumstances and makes a way out of no way. Syrup Sandwiches is an inspiring story that gives hope to all children, especially poor children of color, providing a message of hope and success. In a time when society is looking at stories that speak to the black American experience, this is a story that is unapologetically authentic.
Anthony Owens felt compelled to write this memoir because far too many children are facing issues such as poverty, bullying, domestic abuse, single parenting, discrimination, fatherlessness, and a myriad of other issues that he endured. Syrup Sandwiches reveals Anthony Owens' plight as it uncovers how he was able to choose success. This memoir provides hope for those facing similar issues. For those fortunate enough not to have known these hardships, it gives a real-life glimpse into what it was like to be poor, black, and living in a big city in the 70’s. Others may connect to Syrup Sandwiches through the details of Anthony's plight while revealing how he was able to overcome the odds. Some may connect to Syrup Sandwiches because they too grew up in similar circumstances and are able to look back at what once was. This memoir provides hope; a reminder that there is a way out. Those who work with children can gain insight into what it takes for children to overcome the odds, what it is exactly that promotes success for all children. Anthony believes he is the best person to write this memoir because he has lived through hell, and when giving up was his only option, he chose not to. When he could have easily allowed all the problems in his life to change who he was, he chose to look up, tuning out all the naysayers, and charting his way forward. His goal for Syrup Sandwiches is for readers to see that even when life is unpredictable and challenging, giving up is not an option. Entertaining and inspiring Syrup Sandwiches is a must read for everyone.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2022
4 people are currently reading
10 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 15, 2022
This is truly an inspirational book of all accord. The author Anthony Owens tells his story of how he was raised in poverty as a child to overcome obstacle after obstacle including abusive men in his life who should have been father figures to him.
Not only did he overcome these hardships; he went onto give back to his community. In his story it shows his understanding towards others which really moved me as a reader. It was truly an amazing testament that one can endure hard times and rise above way beyond positive expectations.
I was very impressed by how real and honest it was written. Even more surprised by the ways he always seemed to turn a negative situation into a beautifully, respectable, positive outcome. Even fostering kids of his own with his family after much work on himself.
A very well written and moving book that I feel younger and older readers alike can learn from. I strongly recommend this book by Anthony Owens to every reader out there!!! So grab you a copy and enjoy one man's story of growth and willingness to change a rough and hard life into an awe-inspiring true story of wonderful change.
Not only did he overcome these hardships; he went onto give back to his community. In his story it shows his understanding towards others which really moved me as a reader. It was truly an amazing testament that one can endure hard times and rise above way beyond positive expectations.
I was very impressed by how real and honest it was written. Even more surprised by the ways he always seemed to turn a negative situation into a beautifully, respectable, positive outcome. Even fostering kids of his own with his family after much work on himself.
A very well written and moving book that I feel younger and older readers alike can learn from. I strongly recommend this book by Anthony Owens to every reader out there!!! So grab you a copy and enjoy one man's story of growth and willingness to change a rough and hard life into an awe-inspiring true story of wonderful change.
March 31, 2025
An emotionally moving memoir of resilience, hope, and survival
Anthony Owen's memoir, Syrup Sandwiches, is a powerful account of a one man's tale of family dynamics, poverty, father absenteeism, the quest for survival, family dysfunctionality, while having to deal with a whole lots of other striking issues, ranging from racism and discrimination, to bullying, societal vices, and most soulfully, death. It's a story that I am thrilled to have discovered as Anthony's story, though far away from where I myself grew up, still relates to some of my own experience as a child, and that of several other people that I know of in Nigeria. It surprises me that a black American's experience far across the ocean could be universally resonating, gloomy, and inspiring at the same time.
The beginning pages of this striking memoir introduced us to the author's childhood years. The days of little beginning. Growing up without a sense of whom his father was, growing up watching his mother, Rena worked so hard to provide for the need of our protagonist and his brother, James. The emotional tension built by the protagonists' storytelling in this section was so palpable, especially with his first-person narrator’s point of view's techniques. We were introduced to Rena, her upbringing, and how her own father was never available for her and her mother. Which our protagonists, too, had to deal with. I felt overly emotional getting to know about the story of Rena's mother, her abuse from Oscar, and the death she dealt with (Nelson and Odessa) and how she, herself eventually died after going through a lot, her story reminds me of my own paternal grandmother. It's tearful thinking back to see how many mile mother's go through for their children's wellbeing. In here, there is something to learn about the beauty of motherhood, the sacrifice, untold stories of pain, and the joy of them seeing their children excel in life. Rena's mother story, as well as that of Rena herself, was a pulling one, and universally similar to what other women's have been through, especially those held down by the wallowing grip of poverty as they struggle to break free from it.
Then, we were introduced to our protagonist and his brother James. Our main character's experience is one of self-determination, a desire to break a pattern that is gradually becoming generational, and the urge to make a difference despite being so young. He reminds me of the African adage, saying, "Uneasy lies the head that wears crown." It's surprising how poverty sometimes could be a tool for self-determination and a quest for change for a determined mind, just as it could also be an excuse to remain in misery for the unserious ones. I'm intrigued by how, at the early age of eight, Anthony could have thought of being a grocery store bagger and how he would happily do that to help her mother. Sometimes, children who were exposed to harsh upbringing, especially poverty, tend to have an undying passion to make a name for themselves compared to those born with glittering silver spoon in their mouth. It's terrific dealing with this while living in a crime filled zone, unending noise from the moving trains, the robbery, bullying, storelooting, and gunshoots, all wrapped with the sour doze of racism and discrimination. The story around Ruiz and Mateo's death, Rena's devotion to the church and their inability to help when she needed one was palpable, too.
There is much to say about Anthony's Syrup Sandwiches, ranging from the challenges encountered during his upbringing, with some experience involving fire outbreaks, hunger, and many more. It weaves together themes of pain, poverty, death and grief, racism, family dysfunctionality, societal inbalance, dark humor, perseverance, and many more. I would restrict from revealing more in an attempt to keep this review a spoiler free, but I would like you to find out what becomes of Anthony. How did he navigate decision-making in the absence of a father figure? How far can he go with his attempt at acting like a husband for his mother and father to his two siblings while cathering for his own needs, too? There are many more that I won't give away in this review, but I would leave you to find out for yourself. Heartwrenchingly pulling, swiftly inspiring, resonating, and relatable in many ways. I solely recommend this book to lovers of memoirs, stories that touch the heartstrings and literature at large.
Anthony Owen's memoir, Syrup Sandwiches, is a powerful account of a one man's tale of family dynamics, poverty, father absenteeism, the quest for survival, family dysfunctionality, while having to deal with a whole lots of other striking issues, ranging from racism and discrimination, to bullying, societal vices, and most soulfully, death. It's a story that I am thrilled to have discovered as Anthony's story, though far away from where I myself grew up, still relates to some of my own experience as a child, and that of several other people that I know of in Nigeria. It surprises me that a black American's experience far across the ocean could be universally resonating, gloomy, and inspiring at the same time.
The beginning pages of this striking memoir introduced us to the author's childhood years. The days of little beginning. Growing up without a sense of whom his father was, growing up watching his mother, Rena worked so hard to provide for the need of our protagonist and his brother, James. The emotional tension built by the protagonists' storytelling in this section was so palpable, especially with his first-person narrator’s point of view's techniques. We were introduced to Rena, her upbringing, and how her own father was never available for her and her mother. Which our protagonists, too, had to deal with. I felt overly emotional getting to know about the story of Rena's mother, her abuse from Oscar, and the death she dealt with (Nelson and Odessa) and how she, herself eventually died after going through a lot, her story reminds me of my own paternal grandmother. It's tearful thinking back to see how many mile mother's go through for their children's wellbeing. In here, there is something to learn about the beauty of motherhood, the sacrifice, untold stories of pain, and the joy of them seeing their children excel in life. Rena's mother story, as well as that of Rena herself, was a pulling one, and universally similar to what other women's have been through, especially those held down by the wallowing grip of poverty as they struggle to break free from it.
Then, we were introduced to our protagonist and his brother James. Our main character's experience is one of self-determination, a desire to break a pattern that is gradually becoming generational, and the urge to make a difference despite being so young. He reminds me of the African adage, saying, "Uneasy lies the head that wears crown." It's surprising how poverty sometimes could be a tool for self-determination and a quest for change for a determined mind, just as it could also be an excuse to remain in misery for the unserious ones. I'm intrigued by how, at the early age of eight, Anthony could have thought of being a grocery store bagger and how he would happily do that to help her mother. Sometimes, children who were exposed to harsh upbringing, especially poverty, tend to have an undying passion to make a name for themselves compared to those born with glittering silver spoon in their mouth. It's terrific dealing with this while living in a crime filled zone, unending noise from the moving trains, the robbery, bullying, storelooting, and gunshoots, all wrapped with the sour doze of racism and discrimination. The story around Ruiz and Mateo's death, Rena's devotion to the church and their inability to help when she needed one was palpable, too.
There is much to say about Anthony's Syrup Sandwiches, ranging from the challenges encountered during his upbringing, with some experience involving fire outbreaks, hunger, and many more. It weaves together themes of pain, poverty, death and grief, racism, family dysfunctionality, societal inbalance, dark humor, perseverance, and many more. I would restrict from revealing more in an attempt to keep this review a spoiler free, but I would like you to find out what becomes of Anthony. How did he navigate decision-making in the absence of a father figure? How far can he go with his attempt at acting like a husband for his mother and father to his two siblings while cathering for his own needs, too? There are many more that I won't give away in this review, but I would leave you to find out for yourself. Heartwrenchingly pulling, swiftly inspiring, resonating, and relatable in many ways. I solely recommend this book to lovers of memoirs, stories that touch the heartstrings and literature at large.
June 7, 2023
Author Anthony Owens takes his readers on a road of transparency that backdrops from his childhood life into adulthood, faced with fatherlessness, bullying, poverty,racism but there was no giving in or giving up.
As an adult author Anthony Owens finds himself
wanting to share wisdom and knowledge with other teens , there are so many breathtaking moments where you will be on the edge of your seat wondering how much can one man take ,leading the way with love and forgiveness you will find that you as a reader can also not give up ! this book is a must read wow ! Bravo !
As an adult author Anthony Owens finds himself
wanting to share wisdom and knowledge with other teens , there are so many breathtaking moments where you will be on the edge of your seat wondering how much can one man take ,leading the way with love and forgiveness you will find that you as a reader can also not give up ! this book is a must read wow ! Bravo !
February 27, 2024
Inspiring
This book was very inspiring. It teaches one to keep pushing and never give up. I would definitely recommend this to teens.
This book was very inspiring. It teaches one to keep pushing and never give up. I would definitely recommend this to teens.
March 8, 2024
Once you start, you won't want to stop! Truly inspiring story, so very humbling! It really is a MUST read!!
May 18, 2025
An awesome read of living with diversity and overcoming it ! Don't miss out read it asap
Dear Mr Anthony
Thank you so much for sharing your life times with us
From hunger, to despair through to fear and love and hurt and every other emotion imaginable. You have written a brilliant account of all those emotions and how you dealt with them .not many understand what these actually feel like but explained by you now will.
This is a must read for everyone and maybe a gift read to everyone they know.
What an amazing wife you have too
Dear Mr Anthony
Thank you so much for sharing your life times with us
From hunger, to despair through to fear and love and hurt and every other emotion imaginable. You have written a brilliant account of all those emotions and how you dealt with them .not many understand what these actually feel like but explained by you now will.
This is a must read for everyone and maybe a gift read to everyone they know.
What an amazing wife you have too
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews