Breaking Night

At times, the story was so depressing, I was tempted to put the book down without finishing it, but my curiosity about how it would end kept me going. I'm so glad I did because this story takes away all the excuses people use when they are victimized. Liz was a victim of many things, but she has shown others that they can rise above their situations and rebound from their own poor choices.

I have read plenty of self help books but nothing has given me the power to want to take full control of my life like this book. I give it 5 stars and I have recommended it to friends and family who like to complain about life. Thank you Liz Murray for opening up about your life and the struggle and how you over came it all. Thank you

This was an excellent look into how children are raised in a drug household. How the most important things are DRUGS - - not food for your children, not cleaning house, not your childrens wellbeing. And how she lived on the street and avoided was incredible! The fact that there are children doing this every day blows me away. She had strong character to pull herself up out of that hole and go to a prestigious college. My hat is off to her!!!

I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and hug Liz as her story unfolded. I can think of at least two you adults and a few teens for whom I may purchase this book in an attempt to show them the depths of human inspiration. Truly, in life anything is possible if you reach for it with conviction! Rarely can so much pain yield such beauty as Liz's story has done.

I saw the movie, "Homeless to Harvard", first and it influenced and confused me while I was reading the book. I got a lot out of it, especially, more understanding of what it really means to be hungry and how that one thing can determine what we do and don't do in life. Also, I was struck, by how much Liz appreciated her friends and kept them close all these years. She has a big family of close friends and they seem to really love and take care of one another. Also, I loved how Liz seemed to love her parents and sister unconditionally and did her very best to keep the family close. It is very hard when the child has to parent the parents and she did the very best she could. She learned the value of an education and how it could lift her out of poverty!

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I heard Liz Murray speak at an Innovation Summit. There was not a dry eye in the room. She signed copies after her speech and the person in front of me bought the last three copies. I bought and read it on my kindle app, I am so glad that I did!! As a Teacher I know the impact I have on students, but it’s amazing to see how Perry changed Liz’s life!!

An amazing story of resilence and pulling one up by one's bootstrings. Also shows what the kindness of someone who truly wants to be a mentor can do for a person to help them when they are determined to do better for themselves.

This is an amazing true story beautifully told. It is an an inspiration in overcoming adversity, and a testimony to the human spirit.
It would be a great read for any high school student struggling with staying in school. The book was so good I could not read it fast enough, yet didn't want it to be finisheHd because it was so good!

Ms. Murray recounts her compelling, poignant past candidly, giving such a dynamic glimpse into her life. I really wanted to dislike her parents, but found myself glad to view them through the lens of her love. I am so impressed with her drive to live well, to not settle into what was bequeathed her. I'm considering getting multiple copies to give every whiney person I meet who complains about how hard life is.

Memoirs can be just okay sometimes, but this is such a compelling story, one that is inspiring and at the same time heartbreaking. As a former educator in a low income school, I know much of her story and how true it can be for too many students. Her story has a much happier ending than it does for many students and much of that is owed to the school she attended in New York City and to the abiding love her parents had for their children, even though they failed miserably at providing a safe and comforting environment. I wish Liz all the best and her continued success.

I loved this book. Reading about all she went through, and how her determination brought her through it, I could hardly put this book down. As an educator, it makes you aware of why so many kids can't learn. When children have to take care of their drug addict parents, and worry about where the next meal will come from, how can they learn?

Breaking Night is well written and engaging. I was able to read about the tragic childhood of Lizzy only because I knew it was going to have a happy ending. There were a couple places where I felt like the point she was trying to make was made and she needed to move on. I skimmed those places, then kept going. There were a couple places where I could have used more details. If she had been personally telling me her story I would have interrupted and asked a question or two. Overall it was a good read and very informative. Thank you, Liz, for sharing your story.

Liz Murray describes, through the eyes of her childlike self, her love for her addicted parents, and the way she lifted herself out of her homeless, impoverished situation to go on to attend and graduate from Harvard. This book was so gripping, I resented any time I had to spend away from it. Undoubtedly, Liz Murray will impact the lives of many through her inspiration.

Liz Murray describes, through the eyes of her childlike self, her love for her addicted parents, and the way she lifted herself out of her homeless, impoverished situation to go on to attend and graduate from Harvard. This book was so gripping, I resented any time I had to spend away from it. Undoubtedly, Liz Murray will impact the lives of many through her inspiration.

This story was long and painful. Liz wrote in such concrete terms that I was drawn into (at least felt like it) her world. I felt fear, anger, disappointment, and sadness, deep sadness.
As Liz took control, and situations changed, not always the way she wanted, she met them head-on. Her accomplishments Inspired me.

This was an extremely sad book to read, but having said that, it is also a MUST read. True life stories are usually the best to read because our journey of life doesn't always have happy endings along the way. Liz Murray had to become an adult very quickly in order to learn how to mask her pain and suffering as a lonely child who bore the burden of caregiver to her drug addicted parents, whom she loved very much. Liz was brave, smart and resilient, and possessed a perseverance which is astounding. This mindset managed to carry her through to an accomplished education. Bravo, Liz!! I would recommend this book to all those who don't believe in themselves and in what an individual can accomplish with a great deal of determination.

Breaking Night gives insight into the life of a child who managed to grow up on the streets with parents that where drugged addicted.How she survived and managed to make it away from the only way of life she knew.From not going to school to graduating from Harvard..A little tedious in the beginning but well worth reading

This book was absolutely wonderful and awe-inspiring. It just shows one that if one puts their mind to doing something no one but no one can get in their way nor take it away from them. I would highly recommend this book for everyone I truly think this should be put on the must read list at all high schools as well.

I was captivated immediately with the prologue of this book, and I was not disappointed with the rest of the story. Liz Murray tells her story of parents who were heavy drug users, how she came to be homeless and how she ended up at Harvard. I applaud her tenacity and her writing skills in re-telling her story.

Liz reveals her life in great detail as a homeless girl that suffers from hunger, lack of attention from drug and alcoholic parents, and bad treatment by classmates. She also details the search for food and shelter while living on the streets and her life with a small group of friends that aid her during that time of her life. The book is easy reading due to her detailed descriptions that causes the reader to want to keep reading without putting the book down. I highly recommend this book!

There are not enough words to describe what this story has meant for me. I am so glad I choose to read this, I almost did not purchase it. This story is a inspiration to everyone and a great book. I will always remember the story of Liz Murray and how she focused on her goals. She has a place in my heart.

Some reviewers wrote that they found some elements unbelievable. As a case manager that has done field work for many years, I can attest that people do live like this. Children do grow up under conditions that many would like to believe do not exist. Liz's tale is triumphant, and an enjoyable read.

Although I frequently felt I could not put this book down, I just as frequently had to withdraw myself from it...to clear my mind before moving on. The material is heavy, depressing, upsetting. The finish awe inspiring and heart lifting. I recommend this book highly

This memoir had more promise than it delivered. I think it would have been much better if the author spent more time on the recovery side of the story instead of devoting 80% to the junkie side. Really got repetitive and boring. Have to believe that turning her life around and the battles to reform her life would have made for more a more unique, interesting and informative story.

This is a great book. Well written and very inspirational. This story shows that if someone wants something bad enough that it can be accomplished. I recommend it be read by everyone, especially those who have a million reasons why they can't better themselves.

Beautiful, inspiring, unbelievable. It is hard to believe that one person who lived the life that Liz Murray did survived and succeeded as she has. If I hadn't known that this was a true story, I would have thought that the fiction writer was overdone. Her compassion and drive are amazing.

Breaking Night is probably one of the best non-fiction titles I've read in a long time. Liz Murray tells her story with a straight forward style and without jerking the reader around emotionally. Since she was four years old, Liz did everything she knew to do to hold her dysfunctional family together. Her parents were drug addicts who spent all their welfare money on cocaine; she was hungry; she worked sacking groceries when she was 12; her parents never made her go to school and she became homeless and alone by the time she was a teenager. However, this young woman sleeping under friends' beds and on subway trains finally decided her only way out was to go to college and with unbelieveable determinatinon, she finished high school and was accepted at Harvard! This story is truly a "don't miss it" read!

Liz Murray should be an inspiration to all of us. For her to rise above and come our of this intact is a miracle in itself. Makes me thankful for how I was raised and ashamed that I took my childhood for granted.
An amazing read that makes you feel her hopelessness but so grateful she finally had the courage and ambition despite all her obstacles to rise above. She had to be one tough little girl!

This is a heart wrenching story which enables naive people on the other side of "the wall" to have a better understanding of how the effects of poor choices and addictions impacts innocent children. Liz communicates her experiences and thoughts as she makes her life's journey from the lowest levels of the human condition to a revered member of society. As I teach, I will always remember the impact teachers had on Liz, negative and positive, and will no longer be naive about the challenges my students may face day-to-day.

The story told by Liz Murray seems unbelievable, yet it isn't. She does a wonderful job of writing her inspirational story, and I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who think the obstacles in their life are permanent. They are not, as Ms. Murray demonstrates.

I enjoyed reading this book, even though the neglect her and Lisa went through bothered me. It WORRIES me now to think of all the children neglected or worse abused as we speak. My heart goes out to all of them and hope and pray they accomplish something wonderful in their lifetime.

The frank detail details of the hopeless situation in which this young girl grows up takes to her life on the streets at a tender age. Her ability to care for her most basic needs is challenging yet she reaches out and cares for others. Liz sees her weaknesses realistically in the ways others perceive her presentation of seeing. Reaching her bottom does not instantly change her world. Her climb up is painfully slow at first, has a defining moment, and picks up speed.

I would recommend this for teens and older because of the level of detail in her difficult life such as neglect, drug abuse, sexual activity around her and her own experiences as well. Also, I would caution those very tender hearted about reading the book or encourage them to have a reading partner to talk with as well.

I did not want to put this book down. With my heart breaking more than one I wanted to step in and help the young people in this book. I HIGHLY recommend the book for those who live comfortable, everyday lives as a reminder that we are blessed and can overcome the obstacles in our lives.