Includes new stories, life lessons, discussion questions and resources to help stop child neglect
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 6, 2021) – Based on the bestselling memoir that also was depicted in a feature film, HarperCollins Christian Publishing releases “A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home” by Steve Pemberton, everywhere books are sold on Tuesday, April 20.
Since its publication in 2012, Steve’s story has inspired thousands of people around the world. A true story of growing up in a cruel foster home and defying seemingly insurmountable odds, this new adaptation of the USA TODAY bestselling memoir “A Chance in the World” shares Steve’s journey with 8 to 12-year-olds with sensitivity, honesty and hope.
Featuring new stories and life lessons not included in the original memoir, “A Chance in the World,” the young readers edition can provide adults and teachers an age-appropriate reading tool to engage with kids ages 8 to 12, on a deeper level about topics such as family, bullying, the power of kindness, and the destructive effects of labeling people.
Born as Steve Klakowicz, Pemberton’s story begins in New Bedford, MA. Taken from his mother at age three and losing his father to gun violence at age 5. Steve lived in the clutches of a cruel foster family. He would find his only refuge in a box of books given to him by a kind stranger. Books would be the tool he used to take him to new worlds he can only imagine and would someday lead him to his biological family.
Armed with just a single clue, Pemberton would embark on a years-long quest to unravel the mystery of his origins. As a light-skinned boy with blue eyes, a curly Afro, and a Polish last name, Pemberton shares how he comes to learn and embrace his identity.
It would be the kindness of a neighbor, a Sunday school teacher, and a high school mentor who would help Steve steer through the darkness of harrowing circumstances. With the help of what he calls his “human lighthouses” as guides, Pemberton would go on to attend Boston College on a scholarship, became a trail-blazing Fortune 500 executive, an acclaimed speaker, a philanthropist, a US Senate candidate, a Congressional awardee and a visionary youth advocate. He shares his story to inspire others who want to be seen for their possibilities rather than their circumstances because he, himself, ‘is the way the story can turn out to be.’
In this Young Readers Edition, “A Chance in the World” teaches children:
- to begin each day with hope
- that there is goodness in the world, and it is possible to be a beacon of light for others
- that they can overcome challenging circumstances
- that everyone comes from different backgrounds and has value
- to apply Steve’s inspirational message to their own lives, through age-appropriate discussion questions.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. According to iFoster, approximately 424,000 children are in foster care, with 20,000 youth aging out of the foster care system annually. Within four years of aging out, 50% have no earnings, and those who do make an average annual income of $7500. “A Chance in the World” concludes with resources on how to help stop abuse.
People can call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453 to have a private conversation with someone who is trained in how to help kids who are being abused. They will listen and help callers decide next steps.
“A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home” (ISBN# 9781400225149) releases on April 20 and now is available for pre-order everywhere books are sold.
* MEDIA COPIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST*
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.
About Tommy Nelson
Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.
The second annual Grace Bomb Day happens May 16 and follows the May 1 release of Author and Pastor Patrick Linnell’s timely book
Drawing on rich examples from Scripture and everyday life, and with a foreword written by
About Patrick Linnell: Throughout Patrick Linnell’s nearly two decades in pastoral ministry, God’s disruptive grace has been his consistent theme. In 2017, this led to the preaching series that formed the basis for his Grace Bomb book and 2018’s birth of the non-profit The Grace Bomb Company. After an overwhelming response from his congregation, Grace Bomb cards and an interactive website,
(Ada, Michigan) April 12, 2021 – Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to announce that Wendy Speake’s book The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation has sold more than 150, 000 copies since its release in November 2019.
Eugene, Oregon—We at Harvest House Publishers are deeply heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting deaths of Dr. Robert Lesslie, his dear wife Barbara, their grandchildren Adah and Noah, and another victim on April 7, 2021, in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
CHICAGO, March 31, 2021 — Anchor Distributors, a leading provider of Christian products and resources to major retailers in the U.S. and around the world, is now in partnership with Oasis International, publisher of the Africa Study Bible and many other titles like the recently released Highly Favoured by missionary to Mozambique, Stuart Foster, to supply the Christian bookselling market with resources that appeal to a wide Christian audience, yet originate from unique African perspectives.
“Oasis International has a vision to impact the global church through publishing African voices,” says Jeremy Johnson, Oasis’s Executive Vice President. “Over the past two decades, we have distributed over seven million books and Bibles in Africa and are excited about our new distribution partnership with Anchor to multiply that impact. In the next decades, we believe we can see African voices transforming individuals and societies not only in Africa, but also in America and around the world.”
Grand Rapids, Mich. (March 2021) – Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, today announced the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, has sold more than 100,000 copies across all formats.
Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit
Be empowered and equip yourself with tools to live a full and fruitful life at any age with renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer.
CAROL STREAM, Ill. (March 26, 2021)— Tyndale House Publishers celebrates the life and ministry of author, pastor, teacher, and friend Dr. David Stoop, who passed away March 10, 2021.
Since its founding in 1962, Tyndale House Publishers has been a voice to trust for generations of readers. Today, it is one of the largest independent Christian publishers in the world. Tyndale has proved a faithful guide—helping readers discover the life-giving truths of the Bible. Its mission is to open God’s Word to as many as possible in language they can relate to and understand. Tyndale’s independent and nonprofit status allows it to follow its founding model, giving a majority of net income to charitable missions—more than $110 million throughout its history. With every book purchased, Tyndale readers help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world.
NASHVILLE, TENN. (MARCH 26, 2021) – Amy Grant and Ellie Holcomb will appear on “The TODAY Show” this Tuesday, March 30 performing “A Woman,” the debut single from the FAITHFUL: Go and Speak album. Amy Grant, a six-time GRAMMY® Award winner, along with multi-GMA Dove Award® winner Ellie Holcomb will be joined by an all-female band, showcasing the exclusive performance from the historic Ryman Auditorium for a stunning tribute to women and God’s faithfulness. Along with the performance, Grant and Holcomb will join “The TODAY Show” third hour for a live interview to share about the upcoming project.
MORE ABOUT THE FAITHFUL PROJECT: Coming to life in the winter before the pandemic, a group of well-known and respected authors and songwriters gathered as a community to write and share songs. Their work came to be known as FAITHFUL, songs and stories of God’s kindness to women throughout history and here with us today.
WESTMONT, IL—Widely respected theologian and philosopher Richard Mouw, who served as president of Fuller Theological Seminary for twenty years, has signed a contract with InterVarsity Press to release his next book, tentatively titled How to Be a Patriotic Christian, in fall 2022.
“Throughout most of my thirty-seven years of work with Christian bookselling and publishing, Richard J. Mouw’s work has challenged, nourished, and shaped my view of the world, of what constitutes faithful Christian discipleship, and how to engage as a believer in the public square,” Jeff Crosby, IVP publisher, said. “Dating back to an Association of Logos Bookstores event at which Mouw spoke in 1989 about his Harper & Row book Distorted Truth and continuing through his Brazos Press memoir Adventures in Evangelical Civility, I’ve made it a priority to read each of his books regardless of who published them. Without question, the most formative for me was Uncommon Decency. I believe that Rich’s forthcoming How to Be a Patriotic Christian will, like that book, be an important call to the evangelical church to stop, read, reflect, and respond to his urgent, informed, and pastoral message. I’m delighted to be publishing this new project.”




