A Place Called Home

A Memoir

De: David Ambroz

Narrado por: David Ambroz

This memoir that "will take your breath away" chronicles a harrowing journey through homelessness and poverty in New York City, followed by a turbulent experience in foster care (Jeanette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle).

This powerful memoir exposes the harsh realities faced by countless children living in poverty and highlights Ambroz's extraordinary resilience and transformation. As young children, David and his siblings should have been focused on school, but instead they wandered the streets searching for shelter, food, and warmth while their mother struggled with mental illness. When David is placed into foster care, he initially sees it as a beacon of hope, only to find that it brings its own set of dangers. Shuffled between abusive homes and enduring the cruelty of those who rejected him for his emerging sexuality, David's experience paints a stark picture of systemic failure. Amid the turmoil, David found refuge and hope in libraries, schools, and the kindness of a few compassionate adults. His unyielding determination and resilience earned him a scholarship to Vassar College, marking the beginning of his escape from poverty. He later graduated from UCLA Law with a mission to reform laws impacting children in poverty.

A Place Called Home is a poignant journey from despair to hope. It is both a gripping personal story and a compelling call to action, urging readers to move beyond sympathy and advocate for meaningful change.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Riveting. . . A haunting, inspiring chronicle of fortitude and perseverance."

—Kirkus, Starred Review

“[A] captivating debut…Galvanizing and compassionate, this personal account of survival should be required reading.”—Publishers Weekly

“A Place Called Home will take your breath away. It’s a must read for anyone who’s looked at a raggedy street family and asked, ‘Who are those people?’ It’s also for everyone who cares about “Those People.” You will fall in love with David Ambroz, his beautifully-told, gut-wrenching story, and his great big heart.”—Jeannette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle

“A Place Called Home asks us to reflect-on the family we come from and the family we find, the extraordinary courage of a child and the responsibility we all have to make the world safer for those who enter our world unprotected. In a society far too often consumed by division and dissonance, Ambroz writes to us at just the right time, lighting the way for a better world by asking us to give every child a chance.”—Steve Pemberton, author of A Chance in the World

“I love a true story where the downtrodden triumph over hardship—and A Place Called Home delivers. David Ambroz, through grit, courage, and integrity, overcomes obstacles beyond my imagination. I found myself cheering for him and the siblings he steadfastly protects, wondering how they were going to survive. David does more than that—he thrives—and then he pays it forward. A Place Called Home is an awe-inspiring story that will lift your spirits and soften even the hardest heart. It’s a beautifully told, captivating memoir.”—David Crow, author of The Pale-Faced Lie

"A story destined to end in tragedy that magically rewards an indomitable determination to succeed. Beautifully written."
—Ted Koppel, veteran ABC anchor and New York Times bestselling author of Lights Out

"A heartbreaking, gritty, and inspiring personal testament to the burden that is placed on a child in poverty. David’s elegantly written memoir is an ode to the millions of families who are struggling to survive and provides the immense hope that is needed to.”
—Keith Ferrazzi, New York Times bestselling author of Competing in the New World of Work

“In A Place Called Home, Ambroz shares his personal journey out of a childhood marked by poverty, homelessness, and years in foster care – a story of courage, tenacity, and the power of education to transform lives.”
—Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

important, imersive, incredible

Thank you for sharing your story. You motivate me to try harder for my patients and community. I feel so deeply for the little Hugh. I pray for peace in your soul. I am so proud of what you've become. Thank you for sharing your hope.

To Thrive Despite Adversity

One of the most powerful books I have ever read, this memoir offers an emotional insight into poverty so powerfully that you may have to pause reading it (or listening to it) to fully grasp the depth of feelings and physical pain experienced by the author. Ambroz's desire to get out of poverty gives him a will and a determination very rarely seen, especially when one realizes he could have used anything in his life to justify giving up at an early age. It brings me joy to know he is working to make the foster system a better one so that foster kids can have the brilliant future all of us deserve.

Excellent read

Liked character development, how well it was written and told. Really opened my eyes to issues of foster homes told by someone who experienced it.

Very heart wrenching read, BUT

BUT BUT BUT.... you have to know there are a lot of F bombs dropped in this memoir. I understand why and how, given the story and complexities of poverty in America and his experiences,,,, but I wasn't prepared and truthfully, I wish they could've been bleeped out or done away with those all together. I have pretty hard ears for most profanity, but repeated usage of the F word just gets to me. I'll be sadly, returning this book even though I'm only half way through. It's just one too many

Powerful, vivid and engrossing

This remarkable autobiography, narrated with warmth and energy by the author, is moving and engrossing. Ambroz shares his story (stories) in a way that brings homelessness into focus that you won’t soon forget. Insights on the foster care system and on the challenge of children coping with the unstable adults in their lives help paint a more vivid and realistic picture of the challenges we face in supporting all kids. Told with candor, warmth and honesty.

I’m a frequent doubter when it comes to readers of audio books. They can make or break an experience. Too often the effect is mechanical. David Ambroz is the opposite. I couldn’t have imagined Ed a more effective reader.

Captivating

A remarkable story of triumph in the face of systemic and bureaucratic adversities. Thank you for shining a light on a system that continues to fail the children and families it’s supposed to help.

Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!

Loved everything about the book, the passion, thre resilience, the underline humor to certain parts. And of course his honesty.

Shining a light into the darkness

A Place Called Home is heartbreakingly beautiful and triumphant. Every moment spent in David Ambroz’s world was eye-opening and helped inform me, inspire me, and soften my heart. Thank you, David, for sharing your journey with the world and shining your light in the darkness for those who need it most. Recommending this book to everyone I know.

Re-ignite Your Passion for Advocacy!

This heart-crushing story of unimaginable hardship and system failure was so well organized for the reader to take in. The ending captured the victory of Ambroz overcoming almost insurmountable obstacles in order to graduate college. Ending at this point in his career, Ambroz then challenges the reader to get involved and possibly help other youth on their journey in overcoming the barriers and challenges of poverty, abuse, neglect, and mental illness. I loved practical activities and steps readers can take to help youth achieve success as they transitioned to adulthood. 🙏🏽 Thank you for your story, David.

Inspiring story

This story was very hard to listen to but also inspiring at the same time! David's struggles being homeless and in foster care has opened my eyes to the many problems these kids in the system face.