Nowhere but Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom [Hardcover]

Pattie Mallette (Author), A. J. Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 18, 2012

Most people only know her as Justin Bieber's mom, but Pattie Mallette has had an incredible journey of her own. Many people have heard of her son's rags to riches triumph. A few know she was a teen mom who had to overcome a drug and alcohol addiction. Even fewer know the rest of her story.

Now, for the first time in detail, Pattie shares with the world the story of a girl who felt abandoned and unloved. Of a teenager who made poor choices. Of a young woman who attempted suicide and could hardly bear to believe that God would ever care for her. One who messed up, got pregnant, and got a second chance. Every reader will find themselves somewhere in Pattie's painful journey of redemption. They will be encouraged by her example that what was once broken can become whole.

Pattie's story will inspire readers to believe that even in the darkest of places, there's always hope. For those who feel unlovable, there's always love. And for those who believe they're a lost cause, there's always room for another chance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"When you hit rock bottom, you have nowhere to go but up."

In Nowhere but Up, Pattie Mallette shares for the first time in detail about the pain and abandonment she experienced as a child, the sexual abuse she suffered for years, the severe depression she wrestled with as a teen, the deep struggles she faced as a single mom, and the faith she's learned to cling to through dark times. With raw honesty, she spills the truth about a lifetime of moments that were punctuated by pain yet permeated with grace--and the journey that's brought her to where she is today.

From the Back Cover

It's not just teen moms who struggle or need to find hope. Whether you're a single mom, an addict, or a victim of abuse . . . whether you're on the verge of bankruptcy or the brink of divorce . . . whether you're in a dysfunctional family or the product of a broken home . . . whether you battle depression or struggle with anxiety . . . whether you live in fear or hide in shame . . . whether you've been abandoned, rejected, or ignored--there is hope.

It doesn't matter where you find yourself today--how broken, hurting, wounded, or ashamed you are. If God can help me find my way up, I promise, He can do the same for you.

*****

You may know her only as Justin Bieber's mom, but Pattie Mallette has an incredible life story of her own. Her story will inspire you to believe that everything broken can be made whole again, that there are no lost causes, and that even in the darkest of places, there is hope.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 18, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780800721893
• ISBN-13: 978-0800721893
• ASIN: 0800721896
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful memoir by Bieber's mom, detailing her path to Christian faith amid turmoil and hardship. September 19, 2012

By K. Corn TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

It would be easy to label this book as one told by "Justin Bieber's mom", having no merit beyond that, especially since the title of Pattie Mallette's book includes the words, "The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom.".

But to focus only on her famous son as a reason to purchase Nowhere but Up could lessen the possible impact of Pattie Mallette's heartbreaking yet ultimately powerful and inspiring faith-based memoir and limit its readership. It is definitely worth checking out even though Mallette's life and journey to Christianity may not appeal to everyone.

But to dismiss her unique voice and experience would be a mistake - and also sadly ironic since Mallette struggled long and hard to find that voice and tell her story. It is one which deserves attention, especially by those who have gone through painful childhoods or suffered abuse.

Perhaps Mallette puts it best when she notes, early on in the book, - about her motivation for sharing her experiences, good and bad:" I decided to tell my story not only for my own healing from a difficult past but also to help bring healing and liberation to those of you who may have suffered in similar ways."

This point is backed up in the foreword where Bieber describes his mom as "the strongest woman I've ever met" and explains that the book underscores that fact.

From then on his mother tells her story.

Well over half of "Nowhere but Up" is about Mallette's life before Bieber entered the picture, with the first 9 chapters (there are 16 chapters in all) describing her painful childhood, the experiences that shattered her self esteem, and her search for love. Mallette alaso writes of her growing Christian faith but it is a faith that was rocked by doubt and setbacks along the way.

At one point, she recommits herself to God yet admits that she still had not "committed my sexuality to Him just yet", perhaps one reason why she and Jeremy, Bieber's father, remained in a turbulent relationship for so long. It must have taken courage for Mallette to avoid turning away from honest admissions of the choices she made and the consequences she faced - including an unexpected pregnancy.

Of course, that pregnancy led to the birth of the now famous Justin Bieber but how many know the details of his mother's life before fame struck? As Mallette notes, she "survived single motherhood by sheer willpower and a ton of prayer." She also rose to the challenge by making different choices...with some rough patches along the way... after her son was born.

As one might expect for a book dedicated to her heavenly Father, Mallette also describes the awe she felt when her prayers were answered in spite of her doubts. The apartment that came along when homelessness seemed like the only option, the financial windfall which gave her a chance to find a better job, and more.

And Mallette is clearly grateful to have Justin in her life. Her love for him is unwavering, even when Justin's energy and boisterous nature leads to challenges at school - and with at least one landlord. While other parents might have quashed their child's spirit, Mallette finds a way for him to share his musical talents. Most know the rest of that story.

Again, would readers want to buy this book if it wasn't about Bieber's mom? Maybe not. But they should. A special bonus is an extensive photo section titled A Journey Through the Years.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not a teenage fan, but a fellow Christian... September 19, 2012

By What's her face?

Format:Kindle Edition

Well people... I read it in one night! I couldn't put it down. It was so well written and with the right motives. My heart jumped and I could really feel the love of God pouring out. Let me tell you... for most of the book I forgot whose mother she was. She was so open, honest and just plain raw about her past hurts, the pain she had to endure, her shortcomings, but also the stark contrast with God's awesome love and amazing grace. In my mind, this was an amazing Christian testimony of how wonderful and loving our God is despite the many obstacles we go through in life. I found myself choking back tears of joy and smiling as I walked through her journey. Sometimes, I was just in awe with my jaw literally dropping. It's a moving walk through the tests and triumphs of Pattie's life to date.

Fellow readers, I believe you will find this book uplifting and encouraging. This is a story about a woman whom God had plans for... BIG plans! And just to encourage you, God has no favorites, what He did for one, He will do for you (Acts 10:34-35 MSG). I'm not saying all of you will have superstar celebrity sons, but rather that He has a great purpose and plan for each of us if we will just let go of control and trust Him. This book reminds us to not look at our circumstance, but keep our eyes on the Lord who always exceeds our expectations. Further, even when we turn away from Him, He pursues us. It was such a beautiful book, humbly written, and points to our Lord and Savior. Well done Pattie and A.J., Well done! I highly recommend!!

P.S. I purposely didn't go into content so as to not spoil the journey, but I did want to set good expectations. I hope this helps.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GET OVER IT????? September 20, 2012

By ginger808 in CA.

Format:Hardcover

This book was cathartic for me as it must be for many women. Patty Mallette goes straight to the underlying causes and trauma that has led to her self- dislike and low self esteem. I'm barely past chapter five and already she has touched on many of the emotional issues that I have had and which I felt that I was the only girl in the world who felt these feelings. Patty is right on. The book brings up many issues for those of us that still carry the self-hatred but at the same time this book gives us HOPE. Patty has walked in our shoes. And she can help us walk, too.

To anyone who says "Get over it" I suggest that you read the book again as obviously you HAVEN'T walked in our shoes. No victim of this type of abuse justs 'gets over it'. It's a comment that denies us any dignity by down-playing trauma and brushing it aside. We've brushed it aside long enough!

And to Patty- It really struck home for me in the chapter where your girlfriends at school suddenly, without warning said they no longer wanted to be your friend and didn't want you hanging around with them. I cried because it happened to me and I was completely devistated for what seemed like months. I didn't "just get over it". We are people who cling to people so they'll be our friends and when they turn against us the pain is immense. Normal people wouldn't understand, but there are those of us that certainly DO understand. Thanks for writing it. And my grand-daughter wants to thank you for Justin!