A Stone of Hope

A Memoir

By: Jim St. Germain, Jon Sternfeld

Narrated by: Ron Butler

In the tradition of The Other Wes Moore and Just Mercy, a searing memoir and clarion call to save our at-risk youth by a young Black man who himself was a lost cause - until he landed in a rehabilitation program that saved his life and gave him purpose.

Born into abject poverty in Haiti, young Jim St. Germain moved to Brooklyn's Crown Heights, into an overcrowded apartment with his family. He quickly adapted to street life and began stealing, dealing drugs, and growing increasingly indifferent to despair and violence. By the time he was arrested for dealing crack cocaine, he had been handcuffed more than a dozen times. At the age of 15, the walls of the system were closing around him.

But instead of prison, St. Germain was placed in "Boys Town", a nonsecure detention facility designed for rehabilitation. Surrounded by mentors and positive male authority who enforced a system based on structure and privileges rather than intimidation and punishment, St. Germain slowly found his way, eventually getting his GED and graduating from college. Then he made the bravest decision of his life: to live, as an adult, in the projects where he had lost himself, and to work to reform the way the criminal justice system treats at-risk youth.

A Stone of Hope is more than an incredible coming-of-age story; told with a degree of candor that requires the deepest courage, it is also a rallying cry. No one is who they are going to be - or capable of being - at 16. St. Germain is living proof of this. He contends that we must work to build a world in which we do not give up on a swath of the next generation.

Passionate, eloquent, and timely, A Stone of Hope is an inspiring challenge for every American and is certain to spark debate nationwide.

©2017 Jim St. Germain (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Eye Opening!!!

I loved this detailed look onto Jim St. Germain's impossible odds and how people invested time and effort into a boy who would become a beacon of hope to so many lost young people! Thank you to EVERYONE who made this possible!!!

Inspiring and Needed

This book gives in-depth personal insight into the struggles of growing up in the projects in Brooklyn NY and the many obstacles preventing youth from escaping the cycle of poverty and violence in urban USA. Ultimately inspiring story of a man who made I️t “out” but stays as I️t is responsibility to the next generation.

Powerful

Jim St. Germain details a heart wrenching vivid account of what it’s like for poverty stricken youth to navigate through systems that were naturally designed to fail and derail them. Throughout this book you’ll be challenged to self reflect and acknowledge, either the choices you’ve made that continue the oppression of young, black children or the moments you’ve stood up and become a voice for those that never had a chance to speak.

A moving, honest, engaging account of a life we all need to hear about

Mr. St. Germaine speaks incredibly truthfully, starkly and with profound effect about his life so far - where he came from and what he’s managed to create against serious odds; the power of mentors, multiple second chances, and shear will.

He conveys the power of positive behavioral and restorative justice programs like Boys Town, bringing them and the life saving opportunity they provide to life for those without first hand experience of such places.

His book is not only a great and engaging memoir, but a thought provoking and arresting call to action.

Bold, compelling read

I loved this book. Listened every free moment until it was finished. This is a story that I have been changed by and everyone should read this book.

Vivid, engaging life story

So glad Jim St Germain wrote this book. It brings humanity and understanding to young black men who are often discarded, attacked and misunderstood by society. Thank you for writing this book. Your commitment to the work that you do is much needed and inspiring.