A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home - Steve Pemberton - 3 Stars

[Jason]

What people go through...

This is a true story of Steve, and African-American boy who was raised in the foster system, not knowing his parents. He was abused verbally and physically. He was told he was worthless and no one wanted him. He finally broke the ties to his foster family and attended Boston College. He searched for his biological family but had to face not liking what he found and not being accepted buy his family.

These books like Educated, A Child Called "It", The Glass Castle, and even Before We Were Yours, affect me greatly. Children have no control of their situation. No way to get out and Steve Pemberton's situation was no different.

This book though, deals with more than just his abuse. It deals with family and fitting in. Racial issues and belonging.

I gave this only 3 stars because Steve does not delve deep into his emotions or analyzing situations. The majority of his story is telling events, or telling how he felt but he fails to pass along his feelings, struggles, or successes like some of the books mentioned above.

Every time I read one of these type stories, it makes me want to take a child out of one of the situations.

[Joi]

I always want to read books like this (A Long Way Home comes to mind)- but sometime's just have to step away and say no. You giving this only 3 stars for lack of emotion helps to not even give it a second glance.