By Any Mean$

By Corey Lamont Berry

Many people who read my first book questioned if any of the characters in my book was based on myself and people in my life. Although that book was a work of fiction, many still believed that my main character Cino was really me, so I decided to write my life story. When I was going through my struggles to become a published author, I made a vow that by any means, I would achieve my goals, and inside a nightmare of incarceration, I would make my dreams a reality. The day I made my vow to make it official, I tattooed it on my back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662410505

Book preview

My First Fight

I was living with my grandparents and my little cousin Nicole in Saint Louis when I was almost five years old. I believe I was attending head start or preschool. A bigger kid approached me. I don’t remember what it was over or why, but he hit me and knocked my two front teeth out. I went home, and my grandma noticed blood on my sweater. She asked me where it came from and what happened to my teeth. I told her the big guy knocked them out.

She then asked me the million-dollar question what did I do to him in return. I told her nothing. My grandma took me to Payless and bought me some hiking boots and told me to kick the boy who knocked out my teeth, and if I didn’t, she would get me. The next day, I saw the boy and said to myself, It’s me or you. He was kneeling over, so I approached him, and as I did, I proceeded to football kick him in his mouth. He bled heavily. Next thing I knew, I was in the principal office, and my grandma was called.

The principal said, Corey kicked out one of the students’ teeth.

My grandma replied, I was not called when the boy knocked out my grandson’s teeth, so why I’m I being called now?

Rest in peace, my grandma Helen Gamble. You will forever be missed.

My First Diagnosis of ADHD

I was five years old and back in Arizona after living with my grandparents and cousin for almost a year. I was in kindergarten when I received my first diagnosis of ADHD.

The teacher said, Corey has a hard time concentrating and focusing on a task.

My mom asked, What do you suggest?

The teacher answered, Maybe medication might help.

I saw a doctor, and sure enough, he prescribes me Ritalin. Even though I was young, I knew this was not good for me, so I learn how to cheek my medicine, and I would spit it in the toilet. My mom later took me off it because of its effect on me that had me in a zombielike trance.

Our First Family Vacation

As a child, I was not a happy child, but I found enjoyment when we went on our first family vacation, which was Disneyland and Universal Studio. I had a blast. Even though I’m afraid of heights, I enjoy the rides at Universal Studios. The special effects were amazing.

Caught Up Again

I remembered it like yesterday. I caught my second armed robbery hanging with the wrong ones.

House Party

It all started a wild house party thrown gone wrong. My mom went to Jamaica on vacation for ten days. It was ten nights that I would never forget and that would change my life