Rob's mom was a mentally unstable alcoholic, and his dad was permanently hospitalized after a failed suicide attempt left him unable to take care of even his own basic needs. It's hard for me to fathom what was going through Robby's mother's mind when she dropped Robby off at an orphanage without so much as a hug goodbye when he was only three years old, but that's what she did, and in some ways that may have been the nicest thing she ever did for him.

Robby's mother continued to breeze in and out of his life over the next several years, but each time she did, she left chaos and destruction in her wake. Alcoholism and insanity aside, she strikes me as outright selfish and just plain mean. She's not a likable woman under any circumstances.

Robby's maternal grandmother, Gigi, would visit the orphanage when she could, but she was unable to take care of Robby full time, and his little heart would break all over again every time he and Gigi had to say goodbye. He was eventually able to visit his father's family in Atlanta, but they wouldn't allow Robby to stay there permanently despite their economic affluence. Robby learns the truth behind their rejection only after having spent years wondering why he was so unloveable that even the family who could afford to take care of him, wouldn't.

Life in the orphanage was tough, and Robby went through more suffering and darkness by the time he was 18 than most people go through in their lifetimes. So much rejection, so much anger, so much pain. However, Robby learns from reading about people like Booker T. Washington that he can stay stuck in the past and be bitter, or he can focus on the future and make his life better. I'm so glad he chose to be better than the situation he comes from.

No kid should ever be treated as a castaway, but with faith, grace, and help from caring people, even a "castaway" can find his place in the world. Maybe his mom didn't want him, but thankfully his Father still did. Robby eventually comes to believe in the God he'd always heard about but didn't really know, and he finds healing through helping others. He's proof that healing isn't instantaneous or easy, but it is possible, and everyone needs at least a little bit of hope and love to see us through. ( )

Very good, honest book about growing up in an orphanage in the 1960's. I'm thankful that the author was able to find salvation through Jesus Christ and was able to find his worth and identity in the Lord. He is using his rough childhood to help others. Bravo for this young man and what he has overcome! I am glad he is telling his story. ( )

One boy's heartbreaking story of growing up in an orphanage and having his hopes of true family dashed time and time again. Why won't his rich relatives adopt him despite allowing him to stay with them for lengthy periods? What happens when he finally grows up and tries to form a relationship himself?

A story about God's love and triumph and how He can bring restoration and healing to even the most broken lives. i recommend this book especially for those feeling detached/lonely. ( )

I cannot imagine the heart-breaking anguish three-year-old Robbie experienced as he realized that his mother had left him in care in an American orphanage. With no determined or date of return, his mother drifted in and out of his life as he struggled to grasp hold of any sense of normality, security, or love.

Though some form of stability was provided by regular visits from his maternal grandmother and a caring housemother, the deep emotional wounds left by parental abandonment led to feelings of deep rebellion, anger, and dejection. Once his mentally ill mother gave up her parental rights Robbie held out hope that his wealthy paternal relatives would adopt him. Their rejection cut him to the quick and plunged him into a state of desperation during his teen years.

Castaway Kid chronicles the autobiographical reflections of author R.B. Mitchell, who spent nearly his entire childhood in care within an orphanage. Writing in simple, strikingly transparent prose, Mitchell lays bare the wounds created by repeated abandonment and rejection by his family. His would be a truly heart-rending story were it not for an adoption that came once his childhood years were passed.

Mitchell was adopted into the family of God, accepting the Father’s promise to be home for him; to provide him with a never-faltering source of love, stability, and identity. Guided by His spirit through the process of deep forgiveness for those who forsook him, Mitchell was able to move forward into a new life including a wife and children as he learned to trust and love. Coming from an orphanage with dismal outcomes for its long term residents, Mitchell’s life stands out as wildly successful. A college graduate and participant in international missions, Mitchell is now a well established financial consultant and motivational speaker.

The icing on the cake in any autobiography are photographs of the author. Castaway Kidprovides pictures of the author’s family, from his childhood, of the orphanage he called home, his college years, and his own family. I rejoice for the work that God has done in the author’s life. Thankfully everyone can experience the personal love of the creator of the universe, whether orphaned, empty or confused, His free grace available to all comers.

Life in an orphanage is no longer a cultural reality here in North America, but remains a fact of life for millions of children worldwide. Though Mitchell never draws parallels between his life as a castaway kid and that of today’s domestic and international orphans, one can’t help but make the connection. God’s heart is one of adoption, of love and of reconciliation. The story of Mitchell’s life brings the emotional desolation these beloved children experience into sharp focus and embodies the spirit of adoption that God longs to engender in his followers. While Mitchell may be one of the last “lifers” from the American adoption system, we should remember the children waiting for families in foster homes and orphanages worldwide.

Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com ( )

Castaway Kid is an emotionally charged and beautifully written autobiography of Rob Mitchell's life in Chicago from his youth to his adult years. Abandoned at a the Covenant Children's Home when he was just 3 years old, Rob was one of the few kids that spent their entire lives in the home without going into foster care.

Although too young to understand what was really happening, Rob had plenty of hope that his mother would one day return for him, or that his beloved grandmother Gigi, who would visit Rob every Saturday, would take him in. As Rob grew older, he grew more disillusioned and less trustful of those around him. Nola, the houseparent for the Little Boys became a mother-figure for Rob during his early life. Rob's mother would make periodic visits, but they were chaotic at best and only severed the gap between herself and her son.

Dealing with bullies in the home, and family did not, or could not, take him in, Rob built a lot of rage. He lashed out at other students, "Townies", who had real parents to go home to. He rebelled against his own family in Atlanta by growing his hair long, and wearing a beard, two things considered taboo in the 1950's and early 60's. Rob became a womanizer, and also avoided all the religious influence the group home tried to instill in the boys. It wasn't until he went to a summer camp, where he met one girl that seemed to turn his life around. Full of peace and patience, she did not judge Rob and she tried to guide him towards giving faith another try. The second half of the book focuses mostly on Rob's struggle to build a connection to God and find a purpose for himself. His inner struggle with building this relationship with God starts out just as difficult as Rob's attempt to build a relationship with his estranged family members. His faith and transformation from a rebel child, to a moral man happened when he went on a year long missions trip to Africa.

Rob Mitchell's story is heartbreaking, but his endurance and determination to make a better life for himself is honorable and inspiring to read. Rob finally found happiness and love, and now has a family of his own. ( )