Work With What You Got: A Memoir by James S. Hirsch, Zion Clark
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
Pages: 240
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Zion Clark was born without legs due to a medical disorder, but that hasn’t stopped him yet. An elite wheelchair racer, mixed martial artist, and wrestler, “Work with What You Got” is Clark’s memoir. Focusing on his life in the foster care system and afterwards, Clark shows his resilience in life, despite the many challenges he faced in his foster care situations. This is an honest look at his time in the foster care system and Clark does not shy away from the abuse and poverty he faced. Defying the odds as a Black boy and disabled survivor of the foster care system, readers will learn from his journey and his advice. His drive, helped along by a few supportive members of his life, is impressive and he is only in his mid-20s, so I’m sure he has much more success to come. Written by Zion Clark and James S. Hirsch, this young adult memoir is a recommended purchase for YA biography collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.