Teachers are often encouraged to make sure other voices and cultures are part of the curriculum. The true voice of an abandoned kid who was one of the last “lifers” in an American orphanage might qualify as a different voice and culture and be an interesting exercise of contrast with other books of teenage angst.
Here’s what a 25-year veteran high school English teacher had to say about this story after her 12th grade classes read a draft copy of Castaway Kid:
This is an amazing work of contemporary literature that explores universal themes of loneliness, rejection, anger, bitterness, and the need for forgiveness. I was surprised by the wide range of different responses and especially how honestly the boys responded and became fully engaged.
This true story encompasses teenage angst and despair while offering hope to youths struggling to rise above their childhoods. Yet it also contains some of the adventure and romance teens long for. Many readers have said that the fast pace and cliff hanging chapters involved them so intensely they were often carried into deep emotional waters without having time to raise their defenses.
With appropriate planning, R.B. Mitchell can be made available as a speaker or by speaker phone to discuss the book with youth groups and small groups.
Here are actual reports written by teens.
Check out the Castaway Kid quiz – great for classrooms!
We’re making Castaway Kid accessible to nonprofit organizations worldwide.
This program is designed to provide inspiration and guidance to those who need it most, allowing R. B. Mitchell’s powerful message of resilience and hope to reach a wider audience.
By donating Castaway Kid audiobooks to qualifying non-profits, we are investing in the potential of individuals and communities to rise above challenges and embrace a brighter future. Join the initiative and help hope be heard.
R. B. Mitchell is an engaging speaker and writer known for his story of resilience. His work inspires others facing tough circumstances, offering hope and courage through his example.