Helpful Score: 5
This book is well written and gives insight into what happens to a child who is kidnapped by strangers. I would like to think that it would be harder for Steven to stay missing for so long these days, but I don't know that is true. Steven died as a young adult in a motorcycle accident, even more tragic is the fact that his kidnapper spent less time in prision then the years he stole from Steven and his family and that's why its disturbing.
Helpful Score: 2
Falling into the category of true crime, this is the story of young Steven Stayner, who was kidnapped at the age of seven in 1972, while walking home from school. His abductor, a pedophile named Kenneth Parnell, told him, "I've gone to court and gotten custody of you. I've changed your name to Dennis Parnell, and you're to call me 'Dad'." Steven was only a child and naive. He accepted Parnell's story and lived with him for seven years, going to school and acting like a normal child...except his "father" raped him every night.
It's a really sad story, to make a massive understatement. When Steven reached his teens and became too old to satisfy his "father", Parnell kidnapped a five-year-old. Steven had had enough by them. He took the child and went to the police station and told the officers that he had been missing since 1972. But when he returned home, things were not the same. Steven never got any counseling for his traumatic experiences. His kidnapper served all of three years in prison for his crimes. Steven flunked out of high school, drank and used drugs, and was promiscuous. Just when he finally seemed to settle down, he got killed in a motorcycle accident.
It's a really sad story, to make a massive understatement. When Steven reached his teens and became too old to satisfy his "father", Parnell kidnapped a five-year-old. Steven had had enough by them. He took the child and went to the police station and told the officers that he had been missing since 1972. But when he returned home, things were not the same. Steven never got any counseling for his traumatic experiences. His kidnapper served all of three years in prison for his crimes. Steven flunked out of high school, drank and used drugs, and was promiscuous. Just when he finally seemed to settle down, he got killed in a motorcycle accident.
Helpful Score: 2
"This is a really heart-wrenching book. Although I could do without some of the details used to explain the sexual abuse, but I suppose to get a full understanding of what little Stevie went through it was necessary in some parts." amazon
It is very well written. It includes the abduction, the investigation, some trial coverage, and covers the years after. This updated edition includes some new information at the end. Read to the finish.
It is very well written. It includes the abduction, the investigation, some trial coverage, and covers the years after. This updated edition includes some new information at the end. Read to the finish.
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing story of survival despite so many obstacles for this young boy.
Helpful Score: 1
this book is quite detailed. very good book. Steven/Dennis was held captive for 7 years and was sexually abused by his captor.. who he called "dad".. when Parnell decided to kidnap another little boy, Steven helped him escape. Very very good book...
Helpful Score: 1
tragic story, with a good ending
Helpful Score: 1
True story. Intense but well worth reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Undeniably a story that will stay with you forever. "I Know My First Name Is Steven" is a remarkable, hard to believe story that will tug at your heart strings for a long time to come. It is almost unfathomable to understand the pain and anguish that Steven and his parents went through, at the time of his disappearance and in the future. It was hard to read.
good book, you feel for the family.
Very detail in what happened to Steven. Written very well and is very compelling. Author takes you into Steven's adult life, too.
Great but very disturbing book. The ending, while true, is just so unsatisfactory from a story perspective. Sad all the way around. Very interesting and upsetting tale.
Excellent and heartbreaking. I would recommend it to anyone interested in child welfare.
My mother-in-law really enjoyed this book.
