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

Stephen Pemberton

Jan 2012 · HarperChristian + ORM

About this eBook

“Pemberton’s beautifully told story is a rags to riches journey—beginning in a place and with a jarring set of experiences that could have destroyed his life. But Steve’s refusal to give in to those forces, and his resolve to create a better life, shows a courage and resilience that is an example for many of us to follow.”

—Stedman Graham, author, educator

Home is the place where our life stories begin.  A Chance in the World is the astonishing true story of a boy destined to become a man of 

• resilience
• determination
• and vision.

Down in the dank basement, amidst my moldy, hoarded food and beloved 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 extraordinary quest for his identity, only to find that nothing is as it appears.

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.

Ratings and reviews

A MUST-READ. As heart-wrenching as it is remarkable, I simply could not put this book down. Mr. Pemberton does a fine job of crafting his tale in a compelling way that makes you feel as though you were there. I had to know how his story ended and how one pulls himself up by his bootstraps when they aren't given "A Chance in the World" to do so. Reading this through the eyes of a biracial individual is an added bonus and one I could personally identify with as a mutt myself. Looking forward to hearing him speak as he truly is an inspiration.

This book was amazing. Steve you are a hero in my book along with your siblings and other family members. I to had a disturbing childhood not in forster care but in a house filled physical, domestic and sexual abuse. For this I have a special place for your mom and joni. You telling this story gave me hope for my own future. Tonya your wife is an amazing woman and was sent by God for you . Am so happy for you and more happy for your kids they have gotten a hero for a dad. I Don't know you but luv u.

A wonderfully written story by Mr Steve Pemberton. Could not put this book down.

About the author

Steve Pemberton is Chief People Officer for Workhuman, the leading online platform bringing positivity to the workplace through social recognition. Prior to assuming his role at Workhuman, Steve was a Senior Human Resources Executive at Walgreens. Steve and his wife, Tonya, are the proud parents of three children.