Praise for Castaway Kid

Having been in the service of serving abandoned, behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents for 32 years, I was able to reminisce and find memories explicitly tied to this book.

The messages are accurate, profound, and direct.

The chapters relive one man’s story but the themes are multiplied by the number of kids in care from yesterday to the present and the stories are wide and varied.

There are many stories in the lives of children from both yesteryear to this present day and age. The names change and the faces are different but the broken body and mind are still evident today.

When one reads this book you become acutely aware of why behavior, emotion, identity, can go awry. All of the clinical terminology which labels children in placement existed then and still does today.

What is remarkable and I have seen it over and over is that there are those who “will” to live, who “will” to grow, who never give up.

Out of all the chaos emerges a Rob Mitchell and there are numbers upon numbers who, in spite of the many abuses and neglect, rise to become vibrant creative human beings like he has.

This is a story of one of them. And, of so many of the children I have seen rise out of their pathology and into health, I have also seen a remarkable closeness to an abiding faith.

Rob Mitchell is a man of faith.

Castaway Kid is just one of many castaway kids.

– David Carlson, MSW, LCSW

The moment I read the first page, I was crying I couldn’t put the book down … I am deeply humbled by this story. I hope it will change the lives of millions of people. It has mine.

— Brian Littrell, Recording Artist, Member of the Backstreet Boys

This is a great book that reminds me personally of God’s love. I cried real tears reading this, it is a must read.

— Dave Ramsey, New York Times Best Selling Author, The Total Money Makeover

A powerful, compelling message that points to the unimaginable grace of our Heavenly Father.

— Dan T. Cathy, President and COO, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

In an era espousing self esteem, R.B. Mitchell points out with actual experience how badly all of us need God’s help in our lives and endeavors. An important read!

— Ben Edwards, Retired Chairman, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.

This is a remarkable work of contemporary literature that quickly gets inside the readers’ head and then heart.

— Dottie Hoots, English Educator, Wesleyan Academy, High Point, NC

Castaway Kid explores the power of unconditional love and the process of forgiveness that allows hope to enter into even the most extreme life struggles.

— Barbara Winslow Robidoux, Freelance book reviewer

Castaway Kid is one of the best books I've ever read, and certainly one of
the best written.
I hope r.b.mitchell is working on another one.

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On of the Best book written

I work with Russian orphans and work currently with foster care kids as well as counseling
kids who have been through abuse.
Your book is a great example for foster care parents and those who have adopted to
understand what vulnerable kids have gone through and how to help them.
I especially liked the fact that you were able to express so well the one thing I would like
parents and counselors alike to help these kiddos understand:
It is not their fault and they didn't do anything wrong.
Thank you for that message… a message of hope and healing. Thank you for your witness of
God’s love.

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Russian Impact

Your book has opened many of my personal closed doors and I could understand
with what an orphan has to pass through.
When I started reading it, it started talking to me and I could not leave it till I
completed reading the whole book.
The hardness inside me was shown in the light of your life.
Castaway Kid will surely be a blessing to all those who will read.
It will be a blessing to the leaders in my State. We are taking care of School of
Evangelism for M.P.State. Douglas Higher secondary school, Hallelujah church
and an orphan care center.
I was blessed reading your book and it has enlightened me in my walk of this care
an orphan care center taking.
I wept along with you in your Volkswagen when Gigi was called home. .
I do not know if I can make a suggestion ?…..If this book can be made available in
Hindi language it will bless thousands here in India and around.
Thank you Brother Rob once again for this life of yours. You are an example of
how our God can raise an orphan to become a blessing upon this earth.
Yours in His vineyard,
Samuel.
Bhopal 462038. M.P.
India.

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Opened the closed doors of my Indian heart

I adopted a “castaway kid” 2 1/2 years ago. She was 11 and is now 13.
I have struggled so much to understand why she builds walls and doesn’t trust
me.
Thank you for sharing your story. It has given me insight and understanding.
Now we are reading it together.

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Castaway Kid Adopted Parent

I am a caseworker in public child welfare. This book opened my eyes to the pain
children feel when we do not (or cannot) give them answers to why they are in
their current situation.
My husband was abused/neglected and could really relate to some of the issues in
the book. Even though his story was different, the feelings are the same!
Thanks for being a survivor and sharing your story!!!

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Opened this Caseworkers Eyes

Being involved with abused children, and not always having the right vocabulary to bring
the message across to volunteers, we found a perfect “tool”!
We will definitely use Castaway Kid in our training sessions. It also gave us much insight
into the heart of the children we work with. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
André and Dienie
Cornelia
Free State

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You gave us the tool

I did not think someone like you could speak to me.
My father rejected me for his new step-children.
But because of you, I am going to try and forgive.
Thank you.

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Japanese Teen Changed

I am a Case Aide working with at risk youth and you helped restore my faith in God
and in the work God has gifted me to do with them.

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Caseworker restored

Castaway Kid is a great contribution to deal with needy kids all over the world.
The specific way the author depicts how he got in touch with Christ and found a genuine
home and shelter is a hope for these kids all over the world!

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Bulgarian Hope

We read Castaway Kid several years ago, but I wanted to share how it has emboldened us today.
Several months ago, the sister of my husband was murdered by her husband, who
then killed himself, leaving behind an 8 year old daughter, our niece.
In all the pain and struggles of this situation, my husband and I remembered Robby left
behind by family members who wouldn't step up.
Because of you, we are emboldened to step up and engage in the legal struggle to
bring our niece into our family.
We just wanted you to know.

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Murder/Suicide

We have recently adopted a 10-year old little boy with a VERY traumatic
past…abandoned in Guatemala, found wandering at 18 months old, placed in an
orphanage, adopted by a another family at age 4, abandoned by that adoptive family
last year and adopted by us just this past August.
He has been with us for 10 months now and reading your book and meeting you last
evening has done more than ANYTHING to this point (therapy, training, talking, etc.)
to encourage Jordan, give him hope and let him know that he is really not alone in his
battle.
You are, in his own words, “An inspiration to him.”
From the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU for being willing to be used of God and to
share your story from two VERY grateful parents!!

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Guatemalian Orphan Changed

It’s been just a little over a week since I finished reading Castaway Kid and I’m still
stunned!
The book is making the rounds here on our orphanage in Guatemala that serves 163
children ages 0-20.
As I read your story my heart was so moved, my eyes were opened to some of inner
struggle that we see manifested in our older youth and honestly I was so encouraged
by Nola, Dave and others who walked with you on your journey.
As I shared your story with our Director she was moved to tears.
We are all so excited about upcoming Spanish translation and anxious to be able to
share the story with the rest of our staff.
THANK YOU for sharing your story!!! God is using it in powerful ways!!!!!

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Guatemala Orphanage Excited