Baby Boy Fisher was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. He ultimately came to live with a foster fami...
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Oct 13, 2011
Alison
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The author of my book was Antwone Fisher, I believe his point of writing this book was to have others involved in his life be able to understand what he feels about the events and situations he has been in, he has had his ups and down in life, but for the most part he put on a happy face for everyone.
The theme of this book is that everything does not come as easy as you would like it to, and just because you get something other than you truly want, you might grow to like it. As a child h More...
The theme of this book is that everything does not come as easy as you would like it to, and just because you get something other than you truly want, you might grow to like it. As a child h More...
Oct 01, 2009
Johanes Jacob
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A really good book..... Baby Boy Fisher--as he was documented in his child welfare caseworkers' reports--was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. After beginning his life in an orphanage, Antwone was placed in a temporary foster home until, around age two, he was transferred to a second foster home. It was there, over the next thirteen years, that he endured emotional abandonment and physical abuse. Removed from this foster home not long before his si
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Jun 08, 2009
James
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Antwone's early life is a filled with textbook examples of causes which lead to a life of crime, drugs and poverty. He grew in a foster home where it was made apparent to him he was just a means to get money from the state and nothing more. He grew up in an impoverished Cleveland neighborhood where he was treated to beatings, molestation, slave labor and psychological intimidation within his foster home. Yet, through this and other events in his early life, Antwone was able to escape the life he
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Dec 17, 2009
Dave
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I actually have an autographed copy of this book; fantastic memoir about overcoming abuse; he's from cleveland; he came and spoke at event i went to and i went to a book signing of his; amazing story; he talked about how the screenplay to this book (became the movie with Denzell) that he wrote was the first screenplay ever sold for more than 1 million dollars by an african american screenwriter
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Nov 25, 2011
Sherry
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The book keeps you cheering for Antwone because you know he is going to make it. A reminder to everyone (but especially young people) that the only way to escape poverty and that cycle of unhappiness is to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and do it yourself. The book made me mad, made me cry, made me smile and made me embrace Antwone "Q" for the fine young man he developed into. Thank you Mr. Fisher for mentioning your elementary school teacher. She was a remarkable woman who lo
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Aug 08, 2008
Catherine
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I had the opportunity to see Mr. Fisher speak when I was working at the University at Buffalo Foundation. Once I heard his story I had to read his book. Wow.... I am always taken with people who can take there life of crap and turn it into less crap! It is so easy for people to fall into the negative way of life. Very positive inspiring story!
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Jul 12, 2011
Rachel
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This book really touched my heart and I'm sure a huge part of that is because I work with children every single day who live in situations similar to what "Fish" grew up in. Antwone's story is inspiring and a great rememinder that good things can come from even the crappiest of circumstances in life. That we should never underestimate anyone because of where they come from. If anything, we should use Antwone Fisher as an example of what we can become if we just make it a challenge t
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Feb 21, 2010
Durante la lectura de este libro, pude experimentar el dolor y la tragedia de un niño indefenso que a pesar de su grande dolor pudo salir adelante dejando atrás su pasado. Pude experimentar el perdón así a un ser querido que no solamente lo abandono si no que lo dejo a la merced de gente depravada que solamente le dejo dolor. Pero a pesar de todo la valentía por la cual este niño confronto su dolor fue solamente una prueba de luchar para sobrevivir el abuso infantil. Ahora el es un gran escritor
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Nov 16, 2010
Pamela
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I enjoy reading true stories regarding the tragic circumstances that real people have to go through in life. "Fish" was brave enough to tell his story to the world, where I'm sure otheres keep quite with shame. I'm glad he was brave enough to share, so that I may be able to understand the dark side of society. I found his story an inspiration. I read stories like this, not for my own enjoyment, but to educate myself and open myself up to the pain that others may suffer and at times
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Oct 25, 2010
Samuel
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 15, 2011
Nyasia
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I am reading this book and i think its great because it takes you back to old times. Also its about abuse.
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Aug 06, 2011
Haven
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Excellent book - moving and meaningful. You have to love seeing someone rise above such difficult beginnings. Could have been a bit shorter at some points, but I believe he had every right to share all that he wanted to from his story. Well written and impacting, as it is tough to consider someone suffering so; especially only to realize that there are so many more Antwone Fishers in this world. I surprised myself at the end by shedding quite a few tears at a development in the story as he t
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Aug 15, 2011
Lucia
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Right now all the social workers are starting to realize that Antwone might be getting physically abused because of they way that hes acting in front of the social workers and he doesn't talk as much as he used to he only talks about hes art work that he does in class. This book has really gotten my attention because its what happened's in everyday life. Kids get physical and emotional abuse by there parents, foster parents, family or family friends it doesn't matter many children have been deal
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Feb 13, 2009
Ellyn
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I first read this book when I lived in Portland, but I reread it when it was assigned for a class at MSASS, and it had all new meaning now that I live in Cleveland. The author tells the story of his own childhood, which was spent in foster care in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, and his subsequent quest for identity and belonging as an adult. This is a very powerful book. Things end very well for the author, and he acknowledges how fortunate he is compared to so many.
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Jul 25, 2011
Krista
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Later made into the movie starring "Denzel" this is a positively heart-rending story of a young boy brought up in the foster care system. We are plowing through our own foster licensing application now, and it is stories like these which remind me of the need for tough criteria for foster parents. While it is hard to read some of the horrors, it is so worth it to see how this boy became such a wonderful man against all odds.
Jun 03, 2011
I found this paperback book in my condo building's book swap shelf and almost didn't read it because I had seen the film Antwone Fisher and figured it would be repetitive. I am glad I read it because it is an excellent memoir and really helped me understand the trauma of kids in abusive foster care placements. Fisher captures his feelings from the perspective of a child and adolescent and is also able to provide adult insight into his adverse upbringing.
Jun 02, 2009
Karamo
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I really enjoyed reading this book because when you read this book its like you're experiencing what the kids went through......A young child grow's up in a foster home with his brother.They come to find that their foster parent is rude and obnacious. The two young boys lives are getting ruined by their foster mother. the foster treats one of the kids the worst his name was Antoine. Antoine wants to run away from this nightmare but theres (.NO .WAY .OUT).
Jan 19, 2011
Jena
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About Antwone Fisher (who I've never heard of) who was raised by the Queen Bitch Foster Mother of All Time. He finally joins the Navy after many years of neglect and abuse and finds himself and self-esteem. He writes a screenplay about his life and it is now a movie, apparently. After that is successful, he writes more and more.
Very good book, but hard to read. But all ends well ...
Very good book, but hard to read. But all ends well ...
Aug 02, 2009
Heidi
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This horrific story was very well told. I appreciated that the author did not come across as whiny, he just told it how it was. I found it hard to get through in places, just a little too close to home with our experiences doing foster care (and seeing the way parents can mess up their children). It was very good, but the language was awful at times.
Jan 12, 2012
Shirley
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I found the story so encouraging. Two themes run through the book: children can overcome a difficult, even abusive childhood; an involved, caring individual can influence,even save a child's life. It gives me hope in this world of broken families, where fewer and fewer children have the stability of a two parent, nurturing home environment.
Jun 05, 2011
Joseanne
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i loves this book because it scares me to see how babies and toddlers are sent to homes and are treated worst than they were treated with their parents. As a little boy he was abused in foster care because of his complexion which wasnt fair. no one loves to leave their mother but growing up it wasnt easy for him to forgive his foster parents.
Oct 20, 2009
Michele
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This book was an inspirational story of a foster child in a very bad foster care situation who prevailed in the end, as an adult, and is leading a very successful and happy life. However, the struggle and battles he endured along the way-no one should have to go through. It makes you wonder why in the world his foster parents wanted to be foster parents b/c they certainly did not "care" for their foster children. For me, and my understanding of the foster care system, it also made m
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Nov 28, 2009
Christina
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This memoir by Antwone Fisher provides a real and documented account of a child's unfortunate life, living without knowing his identity, his family, and his purpose in life. He goes through life struggling with shyness, confidence, instability, and fear while living as a ward of the state of Ohio. He shares his story through the eyes of a young boy, as he moves through life to become a man.
Feb 08, 2009
Jessica
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This book was not my kind of story. I am not a fan of autobiographies nor memoirs, and this novel certainly did not change my opinion of the genre. Perhaps someone with a liking toward these types of books would enjoy it, but prepare yourself for a depressing tale if you pick this book up.
Jun 06, 2010
Emmanuela
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i just finished this book for the 5th time and i still love it as much as i did when i first read it. this is my fave quote "It seemed the world should have stopped or paused or acknowledged in a collective way that a living person was gone. But the world didn't stop. Life just went on."
Jun 24, 2010
Val
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This is a sad memoir of a child, Antwone, who grows up completely in foster care. Although Mr. Fisher had a lonely childhood and lacked in love from others, his enlightened spirit soars in his writing, and the words flow off the page. You'll never think of pancakes in the same way again.
Aug 28, 2008
Little
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Not the typical story, I suppose. Most of these memoirs are “How I pulled myself up from dire circumstances to be the world’s greatest at everything.” Finding Fish is “How I pulled myself up from dire circumstances to become a pretty well adjusted guy functioning fairly well in broader society.” Not so dramatic, but more of a reachable aspiration if you are yourself trying to climb beyond the reach of a terrible childhood.
Practically speaking, the writing was uneven. The combina More...
Practically speaking, the writing was uneven. The combina More...
Oct 15, 2011
Alicia
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Don't bother with this book--rent the movie instead. While I generally think books tend to be better than the movies that are made of them, this is definitely an exception to the rule. Another one that comes to mind is Nick Hornby's High Fidelity.
Sep 26, 2011
Carolyn
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I loved this memoir. Although it was made into a movie, it seemed to touch on very different things. You cried for Antwone. You wanted to jump onto the pages and help him yourself. Give him a hug, something! I highly recommend this one!
Apr 14, 2010
Great read! This book makes you think about your own life. What you do in your childhood and how you are treated has such an impact in your adult life. After reading this book I realized my life wasn't so bad after all...
