“I never pictured myself as an author,” laughed Pendleton County raised Anthony Young.
“Maybe it’s a midlife crisis since I’m getting ready to turn 40.” The 2016 Pendleton County High
School graduate just published his first book “Kid at the Back of the Room: A Story I Never
Thought I’d Tell”, earlier this month. The personal memoir tells the story of a young boy who
prefers to stay in the back of the room, out of the limelight. But through a series of experiences,
including poverty, family, bullying, loss, second chances, leadership, and relationships between
the people in his life, the boy defies the odds and becomes a successful leader. The story shows
how the lessons the young lad learned formed his rise above circumstances and used his
upbringing to form a leadership style which treats others with dignity and accountability.

Young was raised by his grandmother in Demossville since he was a day old. He experienced
poverty— “There were times when we didn’t have running water or a kitchen floor,” and
abandonment. It was difficult to understand why the people who were supposed to love him the
most (his biological parents) could abandon him. Some of Young’s family members were
alcoholics and abused drugs. Even though he loved them, he didn’t want to be like them. Young
made the decision to prove “(1) I wasn’t what people thought I was, and (2) personal
satisfaction—I didn’t want my family to experience what I did.” He hopes that someone may
read his book and think “Wow. If he can do this, maybe I can too.”

After a stint of being away from the county and serving in law enforcement because “we had
cops at my house all the time. They made me feel safe and comfortable”, Young moved back to
Pendleton County with his wife and five children, two years ago. While in law enforcement, he
tried to spend a lot of the time in lower socio-economic areas, hoping to show children kindness
and hope. Young now works security for a logistics firm, and all four of his school-age children
attend Pendleton County Schools.
“Kid in the Back of the Room” is available at amazon.com.