Castaway Kid: One Man's Search for Hope and Home (Focus on the Family Books) Paperback – Unabridged, June 1, 2007

This is a true story of a boy, Rob, who is left at an orphanage when he is three years old and lives there until he graduates from high school. He has many struggles as he grows up being "a kid from the Home". Kids in the school system don't like him, girls don't want to date him, his family doesn't seem to want him, and the other boys in the Home aren't crazy about him either. He has a lot to overcome and he eventually decides perhaps God is the one to turn to for help and trust. But can God really help an out of control orphan boy? Will Rob find God in time to change his perspectives enough to save himself?This is truly an emotional read with great lessons. This was a true story that read as interesting as a fictional one. It was an in depth and great read. The journey that Rob went through in his life is truly an amazing one, and one that was not easy for him. I found it amazing that he would share his journey with us readers to try and help or inspire anyone he could from his life events. It took real courage to relive his life as he wrote it and be willing to share it with readers all over the world. I was very impressed with the telling of his life story. Some non-fiction reads are "dry" to me, but this one was written in such a way that I couldn't wait to see how it all turned out and how he carried on through his hard times. It was very well written and I could tell that he really put his heart and soul into writing this book. His goal of helping anyone he could through his writing about his life story is truly amazing and inspirational. He had a hard time talking about his life as he grew up, but then to share it in hopes of helping others is truly an inspiration. I felt bad for him and how he was treated at the orphanage and as he grew up. I was glad to see that he could find guidance eventually in God to help him get through it all. This was a a very inspirational read for me.5/5 Stars!!!

Castaway Kid is a wonderful autobiography for anyone similarly struggling in life with circumstances beyond their control. If you think adult struggles are overwhelming, think how you'd be able to handle them as a child, when age works against you as you try to improve your situation with intelligent questions for the only adults supposed to take care of you. This is an inspirational Horatio Alger story: the kind of story that reminds you how well you have it in a free society, but where people still make mistakes and others suffer as a consequence, notwithstanding the best of intentions of some who want to help.Full disclosure here: I also went to school with Mr. Mitchell at Guilford. But I had only a limited knowledge of his childhood and the circumstances of his parents and the two grandmothers. The details in this book were things he certainly kept private in the dorm and on campus. And I never would have guessed how irreligious he was until his epiphany. I like to think that some of the friendships he made at Guilford helped stabilize his renewed faith in mankind, even if only secondary to his faith in God. All his struggles as an adult obviously pale compared to what he had to go through as a child. But as an inspirational and motivational story, it is a very pleasant read, indeed.

I loved this book. It's a true story told with honest emotions. R.B. Mitchell wants to use his story for good, and I know he will be successful. I hope to read more Focus on the Family Books. This story can help teach everyone that, no matter what negative experiences you have growing up, you have the power to decide and act on how you ultimately want you life to turn out. If you are looking for reasons to keep on making excuses about your life, this is not the book. The extras included with the book say that Mr. Mitchell wants to be an encourager and that he is. I like that you can get discussion questions. I also like that this book has been used in high school and college reading programs. This book has a message for anyone who reads it.

I have to admit that after reading a few sentences of the blurb, I downloaded this title, thinking it would be about an orphaned boy destined to live a troubled life of crime and violence. I knew I was settling down to read about kid bashings and emergency room runs by the pages. Boy was I wrong! I cannot fathom the idea of a neglected kid who overcame the awful feeling of being unloved turn out to be such a devout follower of our Lord and Savior. Being loved is something so many of take for granted, but truth be told, it is an ugly, eight-headed monster that affects every aspect of our lives. I, too was unloved by my mother and years of addiction, recovery and counseling has taught me to love myself. I know it sounds cliche-ish, but I lived through it to tell about. I commend Rob on his journey and am in wonderment of what he overcame. Sometimes God knocks us to our knees so we will be in position to reach out and invite him in our lives.

As a foster/adopt parent and youth leader for at-risk youth, I am grateful to see that someone who survived chose to speak the truth and to put into words what so many kids still have to face today.My prayer is that this book will give others the courage to make a difference in kids lives, by adopting, fostering those not freed for adoption, and by finding creative ways to get involved in their lives.Secondly, and equally important, that children and teens will have the courage to see that kids with anger and hurt have a deep need for understanding, and that it really doesn't take much sacrifice to ease their pain. So often, a simple word of kindness would have meant all the difference. No adult has the ability to relieve the pain caused by another kid, but even one kid at school can make a huge difference by simply saying it's okay, I've got your back.