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Successor Of My Surroundings: A True Story for Young People
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Mar 10 2026
Pages: 38
Weight: 0.14
Height: 0.08 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
What if one wrong turn cost you everything - and you had to write a book from prison to warn the next generation?
That is exactly what Frank Lee Evans III did.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Frank grew up with something rare: a father who showed up. A man who fought for full custody of his son in the late 1980s, who worked, who was present, who gave Frank every advantage he could. And yet, between the ages of 11 and 13, the pull of the streets began. By 16, Frank had his first car, his first hustle, and a vow he made to himself that would quietly steer him off course for years.
At 23, a single night of bad decisions - one he had been warned about, one he almost avoided - ended with a 63-year prison sentence. A first-time felony. More time than many convicted murderers.
Successor of My Surroundings is Frank's memoir, adapted for young readers ages 10 through 18. It is not a story about glorifying street life. It is a story about what street life actually costs - in freedom, in fatherhood, in futures.
INSIDE THIS BOOK:
- 8 chapters tracing Frank's real life - from a loving childhood to the moment everything changed
- Think About It discussion questions at the end of every chapter for classrooms, book clubs, and family conversations
- A Note for Parents and Educators with themes and guidance for meaningful dialogue
- A Glossary of key terms for younger readers
- Frank's direct, honest voice - never preachy, never sugarcoated
This book is for the kid who:
- Feels like the odds are stacked against them
- Is being pulled toward a path they know isn't right
- Has big dreams but isn't sure how to reach them
- Needs to hear a real story, not a lecture
Frank writes from inside a correctional facility. His son is growing up without him. This book is the conversation he wishes someone had given him - and the one he is determined to give you.
I no longer wanted to be a product of my environment. I was striving to be a successor of my surroundings.
Perfect for: Middle school and high school classrooms - Youth mentorship programs - Church and community groups - Parents wanting to start real conversations - Any young person navigating a tough environment
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Evans, Frank Lee, III
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