A Chance in the World

Publisher's Summary

"Home is the place where our life stories begin. It is where we are understood, embraced, and accepted. It is a sanctuary of safety and security, a place to which we can always return. Down in the dank basement, amid my moldy, hoarded food and worm-eaten books, I dreamed that my real home, the place where my story had begun, was out there somewhere, and one day I was going to find it."

Taken from his mother at age three, Steve Klakowicz lives a terrifying existence. Caught in the clutches of a cruel foster family and subjected to constant abuse, Steve finds his only refuge in a box of books given to him by a kind stranger. In these books, he discovers new worlds he can only imagine and begins to hope that one day he might have a different life - that one day he will find his true home. A fair-complexioned boy with blue eyes, a curly Afro, and a Polish last name, he is determined to unravel the mystery of his origins and find his birth family. Armed with just a single clue, Steve embarks on an extra-ordinary quest for his identity, only to learn that nothing is as it appears. A Chance in the World is the unbelievably true story of a wounded and broken boy destined to become a man of resilience, determination, and vision. Through it all, Steve’s story teaches us that no matter how broken our past, no matter how great our misfortunes, we have it in us to create a new beginning and to build a place where love awaits.

©2012 Steve Pemberton (P)2012 Oasis

Interesting, moving story

Would you listen to A Chance in the World again? Why?

Yes. It was interesting and gave reason to be appreciative about your own life events. I'd lsiten again just to be sure I had'nt missed anything. I listenend to the story as quickly as I could.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The teacher who gave him a place to stay after he ran away from his adoptive family. Because he had little time to realize just what he might have been getting into. He simple wanted to help a kid in need.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he talked about his own family. His relationship with his wife and children. How his past had'nt ruined a good person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

That he found a way to survive by reading alone in the basement. When he realized that life should be different from what he'd seen

Any additional comments?

It was a great listen. Great story!!!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

A riveting story...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Steve Pemberton's story of his life -- especially as a young boy in the social services system is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Listening in my car one evening, I actually had to pull over after a particularly disturbing account.

Any additional comments?

Everyone should read (or listen to) this book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent listen! I could not stop listening!

A powerful and inspiring autobiography. This life story indeed should motivate an individual change (no more excuses); it should also serve as a catalyst for many to want to improve a broken system.
I have recommended this book to many individuals and groups.
A. Norwood
Detroit, Michigan

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A man to be admired!

I really enjoyed this book which is well written. Though emotional it was wonderful to read how he overcame his disadvantaged childhood. An inspiration!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A disturbing yet moving story.

If you could sum up A Chance in the World in three words, what would they be?

Steve Pemberton is a remarkable man. The telling of his story should be a catalyst for change. Every case worker in this nation's foster care system should be made to listen to this story. The reading of the book by the author makes it even more real for the listener. I have already recommended it to many of my friends in the field of youth work.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Survival and a man's search for himself

This book started out talking about the abuse a child survived through the foster care system, but I felt was really about a man finding his history and figuring out who he was. There is no arguing that what the author went through was horrific. I am impressed with his resiliency and ability to survive and flourish, based on his background. He can be very proud of that indeed. But at times I felt this book was choppy and that it was really written more as a personal renewal and search for the author. It felt voyeuristic at times. I really didn't like the author's voice as a narrator.

What I will say that I really liked about this book was that it helped me to better understand my foster son's need to find his history. With foster and adopted children, they need their families to honor their past, and help them seek it out. This book is wonderful in helping parents see that this is vital to a child feeling whole, and means nothing about their feelings about their relationship with them.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding and heart-wrenching!

What did you love best about A Chance in the World?

I enjoyed that the author was also the one who read out loud. It made me appreciate the story even more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I finished it within two days. It had excruciating parts that were difficult to listen to, however his story of strength and courage made me want to continue in listening.

Any additional comments?

I found that this was a prominent issue within the foster care system that is all too easily overlooked. It also was profoundly eye-opening when he was searching for his biological family. He describes feelings and issues that are not widely talked about, and I found it to be refreshing that he is unafraid to discuss these.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

"WOW" Powerful all the way through!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Chance in the World to be better than the print version?

The audio added the personal touch. I read the book while listen to the audio.

What did you like best about this story?

The ability to survive.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he was released from the foster parents with the assistance of the social worker.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to but unable to do so.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

great book

Any additional comments?

Such a great story of overcoming some major obstacles in life. What perseverence. I found myself rooting for the author, crying for him and cheering. Makes one appreciate life knowing we all have the power to make our future.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

The power of fierce determination!

Steve's story validates me and so many others who feel like they took several trips to hell before we turned 18. I'm very thankful he chose to share his story through this book, in person and with his movie. Every person who hears the story will find encouragement to either continue their personal journey of resilience and/or understand the importance of creating a pathway that encourages resiliency for a child in the foster care system.

Thank you Steve for daring to dream your future was going to be different than your present.