Carter, Alton

"While still a little boy, Alton Carter walked away from his violent, drug- and alcohol-riddled childhood home believing the worst life had to offer was behind him. He was sorely mistaken. After surviving a troubled foster care system and becoming the first in his family to graduate from high school -- with a college scholarship in hand no less, he found himself at age eighteen, as so many young people do on the cusp of life: scared, lonely, and all on his own"--OCLC.

Explores the life of Alton Carter, who as a boy walked away from a drug-riddled and violent home, made it through the tribulations of the foster care system, and at age eighteen became the first in his family to graduate from high school, and also earned a college scholarship. He believed the worst of life was behind him, but he was wrong, and this is the story of how Alton managed his young adult life.

Abandoned by his unknown father, neglected by his mother, Alton Carter is a product of foster homes and a boy's ranch-home. As the second of five children he endured a childhood full of violence, hunger, and isolation. But he never gave up, standing up to abusive relatives and sibling and cousin bullies. He always kept an eye out for those he encountered who might help him along the way to his goal : a normal life. And through sheer determination he got it. A former police officer he is now director of youth ministries for a methodist church.