Work with What You Got: A Memoir

"Work with What You Got" is an inspiring memoir for young readers, chronicling the extraordinary life of Zion Clark. Born without legs due to caudal regression syndrome and abandoned by his drug-addicted mother, Zion navigated a challenging foster care system, enduring abuse and neglect. The book highlights the pivotal role of supportive figures, including his early foster families, a dedicated wrestling coach, and his adoptive mother, who helped him harness his "warrior spirit." It details his unique wrestling techniques, phenomenal strength, and unwavering determination, making it a powerful story of resilience, self-belief, and the triumph of the human spirit against immense adversity. Ideal for ages 8-11 for independent reading, or 6+ with parental guidance to discuss sensitive topics.

"Clark is living proof that if you put in the work, you never know where the world may take you."—Booklist (starred review) When a baby named Zion was born in 1997 to an imprisoned, drug-addicted mother, his future seemed bleak. Born without legs due to a rare condition called caudal regression syndrome, Zion was abandoned and shunted to a foster-care system ill-equipped to care for him. In this stirring memoir, readers will follow as he is bounced from home to home, subjected to abuse, neglect, and inconceivable hardship. Somehow, Zion finds supportive angels along the way: his first two foster families, who offer a haven; the wrestling coach who senses his “warrior spirit” and nurtures it; the woman of fierce faith who adopts a seventeen-year-old and cheers his every match. From play-by-play narration of how Zion adapts wrestling moves to defeat able-bodied opponents, wielding phenomenal arm and hand strength, to accounts of his extraordinary work ethic, unflagging optimism, and motivational speaking, this is an inspirational story of courage that will appeal to any athlete who respects determination, any young person facing adversity, and any reader who wants to believe in the human spirit.