A Room at the Top

by Heath Ducker, Samantha Trenoweth

Heath grew up in a family of ten kids by many fathers. He was sexually abused by his best friend’s father when he was 12 but he saw his way out of this grim childhood through education (to avoid the chaos and noise he retreated to the rooftops to study) and an amazing organization called Youth InSearch. He is now a solicitor at Gadens, has walked the Kokoda Track four times, is mentored by Bob Carr and will soon enter the political arena. Heath is still just 28 and he is truly a remarkable young man. Heath Ducker grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. He couldn't even see the tracks from where he lived, in dilapidated government housing, with shattered windows and holes in the floor that let the weeds climb through. He lived with his emotionally fragile, single mother and nine siblings, conceived with half a dozen different fathers, none of whom ever moved in. Most days, there was nothing to eat but breakfast cereal.

370 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2009

About the author

Heath Ducker is a lawyer at Gadens in Sydney; a trek leader on the Kokoda Track with Adventure Kokoda; patron of Butterfly Day (children in war); a leader of the Youth Insearch Foundation and a director of the Aunties & Uncles Co-Operative Family Project. In 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented him with ADC's Australian Leadership Award.

Reviews

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an inspiring book to read and even though it sounds a bit trite, the story really has stayed with me. I've spoken of this book with several people in the weeks since I finished it and have thought about issues it raised more than once.

I did find some parts of Heath's story difficult to read, particularly his hardships as a child and the abuse he experienced when he was 12, but the book itself was quite easy to read and flowed well. More a memoir than a timeline autobiography.

I think Heath has a very important message to share about the need to place value on the potential of everybody, no matter which level of society they come from and the importance of building self-esteem in children and teens.

My detailed reviews of this book are at Suite101.com and Reading Upside Down.

[Cel Jel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was frustrating, for there were more questions raised. Why was he the lucky one, who got so far and supported so much by a youth organisation, but his other siblings were left in the squallor. Why did he get to travel to England, why?
It really seemed narcissistic in the way he told the story.it would have been better as a biography. Using an external writer.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing true story. Counter to the tendency to find a gene for why we cannot cope. Heath Ducker reminds us of the human possibilities. An inspiring read.

[Mima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after meeting the author through Youth Insearch. His story is an inspiring one, it shows us how one's circumstances never truly define us unless we let them.

[Olympia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confronting, poignant, heartbreaking yet profoundly uplifting!

[Linley Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading... wow what he went through and how he came out the other side is amazing.