Streetchild: An Unpaved Passage

By Justin Reed Early

Book Overview

In the 1980's, the number of child runaways on the streets of Seattle was at epidemic proportions. The problem inspired the classic and riveting documentary, "STREETWISE", which was nominated for an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1438931921
• ISBN13: 9781438931920
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 289 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

very inspiring

One thing I've always liked about memoirs is that you are reading something that actually happened. No matter how mundane the story is, you're getting a slice of someone's life, someone's brain. StreetChild by Justin Early is anything but mundane. Here is the story of a ten year old child who ends up on the streets, left to himself, except for the family that he's able to make from the other street children. This book completely pulled me in. Here I was, reading about Justin's life, and something bad would happen to him, like when he's picking up a trick, or he's getting high, and I'd forget that he was only just a kid. My childhood wasn't like that... Then suddenly, a well-placed photo would appear, and there he was, immediately reminding me that hey, he's only a baby. His whole narrative was great. The way he described his life with his street family alternated jarring things like the photos and realities of living on the street with normal scenes of hanging out with friends and the bonds they formed, which in a way made it more harrowing. Reading this book, I felt like I knew Justin. I started caring about him and what was happening. I cared so much that I'd have to take breaks from the book, and read other books. I cared so much that I started dreaming about things from the book. He'd be doing good, then something bad would happen, and I'd actually get mad at him. I'd tell my friends, 'Justin is so stupid! How could he do that?!?' I'd go from sad, to proud, then in awe, then mad, back to proud... literally an emotional rollercoaster. I admit, I can get overly into books, but it's not every book that will be able to affect me that way. The storyline was reminiscent of Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle, with the writing style more like Michelle Tea, but still different. All I can say is that I'm impressed with this book, and this man. He was able to overcome street life, addiction, his family's prejudices, his own homophobia, coming out, HIV, and the loss of countless friends and family and pick himself up and become successful and write a book. That's just awesome.

Amazing story!!!

This book cronicles the life of Justin Reed Early, who became homeless at the age of 10, after being abused by his father. Yes, that is not a typo, the age of 10!!! He tells the story of his shocking life on the streets and how and what he needed to do to survive. This is an inside look at how so many children survive on America's streets, disgarded by society and left to make decisions in life, that most people cannot imagine. There are moments in this book that will make you gasp, some that will make you cry and others that will make you appriciate how good your life really is. I was profoundly moved by this childs journey into manhood. This is a must read, you will be moved and want to make a difference. Thank you Justin for this gift!!!

A MUST BUY

This books causes one to appreciate all they have and to accept the mistakes they have made. We all have done things we are not pleased with. This books makes you realize most of us have had it good. We need to get over ourselves and be kind and loving. We cannot use nonsense as an excuse not to grow. Justin had a painful and unjust life, yet he keeps trying to move forward. He accepts his mistakes and grows. He may stumble at times, but don't we all. Everyone can learn from Justin, he is the definition of a man. This book is the perfect gift for the holiday because it causes the reader to accept the present, which is a gift. We all can learn bravery from Justin's story.

Life Changing

This book takes you on a journey that you will never forget. So many lessons are embedded in this novel. I loved it and couldn't put it down!

STREETCHILD - An Unpaved Passage

StreetChild: An Unpaved PassageStreetChild: An Unpaved PassageI want to thank everyone for taking the opportunity to purchase and read, StreetChild... In this memoir, I am honored to remember some very beautiful street people I knew as a child - many of us kids were featured in the Academy Award nominated documentary, STREETWISE. I have brought many of our friends back to life - so you can see how wonderful they truly were. I hope my journey will inspire you as we raise awareness to youth homelessness, which affects an outstanding 1.35 million youth (14-24) everyday. I hope you become inspired enough to get involved - become a mentor to some of these kids - as they need to know we care and that better circumstances are available to them. Please enjoy StreetChild - and feel free to email me through streetchildmemoir dot com if you have any questions or comments. Gratefully, Justin Reed Early