Overview

When survival is the only rule, Grace can still break through! Sam Izbicki entered the world fragile and unwanted, the third child of seven in a family where survival meant silence and fear was the common language. His father-a hardened Marine-ruled with a strap in one hand and a bottle in the other, while his mother, weary and overworked, offered only scraps of comfort. In the shadows of that house, Sam learned early to run, to hide, and to question if he was worth loving at all. As he grew, Sam discovered that the battles inside his home mirror the battles inside his heart. School offered both refuge and torment. Church promised holiness but often delivered betrayal. Yet even in the darkest corners, moments of kindness and loyalty flickered-siblings who shielded him, teachers who noticed, and a God he wasn't sure he could trust. The Least of These is more than a coming-of-age story. It is a haunting portrait of a childhood fractured by violence and shame, and a powerful exploration of identity, family, and faith. Told with piercing honesty and unexpected beauty, Sam's journey asks the questions we all carry: Can the past ever be escaped? Can love truly heal the deepest wounds? And is grace strong enough to reach even the least of these? Readers will be drawn into a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful-one that lingers long after the final page.

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9781964081762

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Reviews

Reading The Least of These is like walking in someone else's shoes only to find that the shoes were yours all along. This is a powerful book, and one that will (and should) haunt you for the rest of your life. I'm different because of this book. That's because it reminds me of who I am-desperately in need of God's love, mercy, and grace. It will do that for you, too. Read this book and then give it to everybody you know. After they wince, they will thank you. Then we can talk and maybe even learn to love each other. Steve Brown Broadcaster and author, KeyLife.org I've spent fifty-five years in ministry, and I've always been drawn to books that do more than tell a great story-they reveal something true about life and about us. The Least of These is one of those rare books. It's a gripping, deeply personal account of a boy growing up in a home marked by cruelty and violence, yet pierced by moments of love and human connection. But this isn't just his story-it's ours. It invites us to wrestle with life's hardest questions: Can we be honest about who we are if it means risking rejection from those we love? What does the grace of God look like when it meets our deepest wounds and fears? How do we respond to the urge to control-or to being controlled by-others? Read this book not only to understand more, but to become more. It will stay with you-and it will make you a better person. Dr. Joel Hunter Pastor of Community Benefit, Action Church, Maitland, FL This book is riveting, haunting, and engrossing. I didn't know Shari, but I get emotionally sad when I realize the loss that the world has suffered with her death. What an advocate! What a writer! I want more of her books!! Faithe Stephens Publisher, Henry Lyon Books Very well written and a book you will not put down until finished. There is something for everyone to learn and take away from reading this book. Anonymous I'm so proud of my sister for writing The Least of These. Her words remind us that God's love knows no boundaries. It is a love that reaches, heals, and reminds us that no one is ever forgotten, no matter who they are or what they have gone through. A beautiful reflection of God's unconditional love and grace for us all. Karen Lovell An intense, emotional journey from someone who suffered immensely and still chose to love like Jesus. The Least of These is not afraid to address the darker aspects of life and shows how God's grace and love can redeem anything the darkness throwsat you. A must-read for anyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community and others who are marginalized. Adam Scott, health care provider My husband John and I have known Shari Pacanowski and her husband Rick for over 40 years. They have such a strong relationship with our Lord. The way she put her heart and soul into everything she touched, whether it was her family, friends, or anything she did, her soul was so honest. You couldn't find a truer and more loving person. Shari put her family's and friends' feelings ahead of her own. I was honored to call her my dear friend. Maria and John Kontros

Author Information

Shari Pacanowski (April 25, 1958 - April 16, 2025) was a gifted writer, selfless partner, and loving parent and nana. In life she had a passion for beaches, bakeries, and books. Her debut novel, The Least of These, was her life's work and was published after her untimely passing. Shari had a desire to share the love of Christ with those who felt marginalized and excluded by mainstream religion. It is the hope of her earthly loved ones that this book honors her memory and imparts one simple truth: God loves you, just as you are.

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