Product Overview
Eleven Suitcases: How Moving Abroad Changed a Family Forever is both a deeply personal memoir and a practical decision-making guide written by David Schnurman. It chronicles the real-life journey of his family—parents and three young children—as they leave behind their comfortable life in Brooklyn to move across the world to Barcelona with nothing more than eleven suitcases and no guarantee of success. This powerful story captures the raw emotion, uncertainty, and eventual breakthrough that came from making a bold leap into the unknown.
What makes this book unique is its dual purpose. On one level, it’s an inspiring true-story about courage, adaptation, and the profound rewards of stepping outside your comfort zone. On another, it functions as a manual-style framework designed to help families evaluate, plan, and act on significant life changes with greater clarity and confidence. Whether you’re considering an international move, reevaluating your priorities, or simply tired of waiting for “the right moment,” this book offers both motivation and method.
Key Features
- A compelling true-story memoir: Follows the Schnurman family as they leave behind familiarity and security in New York to start over in Barcelona with twins, a toddler, and only eleven suitcases—offering readers authentic insight into the emotional and logistical challenges of international relocation.
- Life-changing decision-making framework: Beyond storytelling, the book provides a structured methodology to help families assess opportunities, weigh risks, and take decisive action—making it more than just entertainment; it’s a reference tool for meaningful change.
- Inspired by real experience: Written by someone who lived through the uncertainty and eventual transformation during a seven-month stay—including a dramatic 100-day lockdown due to the pandemic—the content reflects genuine growth, resilience, and clarity.
- Designed for modern readers: Includes enhanced typesetting for improved readability, page-flip functionality, compatibility with screen readers, and Word Wise support, ensuring accessibility across devices and reading preferences.
- Empowering message: Challenges the cultural tendency to postpone important decisions by emphasizing that “someday” is not a strategy—instead, clear vision and actionable steps lead to lasting change.
Technical Specifications
- ASIN: B0GJ6CN5BZ
- Publisher: FurtherEd Press
- Publication Date: February 3, 2026
- Language: English
- File Size: 3.4 MB
- Print Length: 152 pages
- ISBN-13: 978-1970609011
- Accessibility: Screen Reader Supported
- Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
- Word Wise: Enabled
- Page Flip: Enabled
- X-Ray: Not Enabled
Benefits & Use Cases
This book serves multiple purposes depending on your current stage in life or goals. For families seriously considering an international move or a major lifestyle shift, it provides relatable context and a tested process for navigating uncertainty with confidence. Parents facing time-sensitive opportunities—such as their children being at a particular age—can draw inspiration from David’s realization that procrastination often costs more than taking calculated risks.
The blend of memoir and practical guide makes it valuable not only as engaging entertainment but also as a trusted resource for future decisions. Whether you’re dreaming about living abroad, reassessing what truly matters, or simply want to stop putting off important changes, this book delivers both motivation and actionable strategies.
One of the most resonant themes is the idea that kids don’t stay young forever—and neither do opportunities. David’s journey reminds us that clarity often comes not when everything feels perfect, but precisely when we’re forced to adapt under pressure. That 100-day lockdown, while initially terrifying, became the catalyst for deeper connection, creativity, and clarity within the family. It’s a reminder that obstacles can become portals.
For anyone feeling stuck between desire and doubt, Eleven Suitcases offers a roadmap that validates your fears while empowering you to move forward anyway. It’s not about eliminating risk—it’s about making intentional choices despite it. The framework provided isn’t theoretical; it’s built from real-world application and refined through lived experience.
Important Notes
- The book is currently available exclusively as a Kindle eBook format.
- Best Sellers Rank: #366,234 in Kindle Store; ranked #82 in Spain & Portugal Travel, #384 in Family Activity, and #405 in Travel Biographies & Memoirs.
- Customer reviews average 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 57 ratings, reflecting strong reader satisfaction.
- No X-Ray feature is included, so readers should rely on standard navigation tools within the eBook interface.
