Rating: 
Summary: INCREDIBLE
Review: This book was incredible!!! It was written much like a fictitious novel -- to the point that I had to remind myself that it was, in fact, non-fiction. Mr. Fisher shares his story with a heart-wrenching candor that moved me to tears. He lends his voice to a population of people who are not allowed to have a voice of their own -- our abused children (and adults who have experienced such horrendous childhoods). The fact that he walked through the fire is testimony to the rest of us that there is hope of "survival" ... and beyond .... Kudos to you, Mr. Fisher!!
Rating: 
Summary: Ho Hum Ho Hum
Review: I tend to agree with Overrated about this book. Coochoo is naive and impressible... So, no, I am not at all impressed wtih Finding Fish, and Choocoo is all starry-eyed when she ought to wake up. As far as Denzil here is my take: PROFIT...
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: After reading the review titled, "Overrated" and hearing of all the horrible stories in the news lately about the terrible situations that children endure in the foster care system in this country, I must say that reading Mr. Fisher's book makes me believe that ALL foster care stories, good and bad, must be shared and read and understood. It is my hope that as a result of the kind of honesty and painful truth shared by Mr. Fisher in this wonderful book and beautifully woven story, that as a community, we can find alternatives to the current system so that no other children will suffer the way Mr. Fisher suffered as a child. The author of the review "Overrated" alludes that it is better to stay in one foster home and be abused physically and emotionally by one family than to be moved from place to place and endure abuse in various homes. To that I must say, one incident of abuse is too much! And it does not matter where it occures or with whom, the abuse is still horrible. The Pickett family that Mr. Fisher describes in this book can not feel better about themselves because they provided a roof over the heads of those foster children. What the Picketts did was collect a check on a monthly basis, not out of compassion, but as a business venture. The care of those children was paid for by the taxpayers in the state of Ohio, so foster parents who abuse have no right to feel like martyrs. In Finding Fish, Mr. Fisher also shares the unfortunate events of the other children left in the care of this Pickett family. It is clear that Mr. Fisher is compassionate and sympathetic to the treatment of all children. My sense of the book is that Mr. Fisher does not want to reveal himself as a victim. He never feels sorry for himself, but through the beautiful language, we all feel for Little Antwone and the other children in that household. The author of the "Overrated" review says that we can say that Mr. Fisher is "lucky" for his story and that Denzel Washington found an interest in it, but I think that an actor and a humanitarian of the caliber of Denzel Washington understands our duty as a nation to share our secrets and prevent terrible things from happening to children. I don't think luck had anything to do with it. Mr. Fisher is a very talented storyteller and writer. I am happy he is being recognized for that talent and that the terrible people he lived with did not have the ability to prevent his talent from flourishing. So, read Finding Fish not because it is a new story that is told, but rather, read it because unfortunately, this story happens far too frequently and oftentimes is not told quite this well. To the author of the "Overrated" review, I must say perhaps you should read Finding Fish again. I am sure there are worse stories, but most of us don't have the stomach to read about them. Mr. Fisher told his story with humor and poetry and dignity and he deserves the happy ending that we, as readers, longed to read about.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated - Really Overrated
Review: Mr. Fisher and his "contributor" Mim Eichler Rivas wrote a very discriptive book, yet his story is not all that unusual, nor is it all that tragic compared to many in the foster care system. It is important to understand that there are many more compelling stories out there than Antwone's that have not been told..... and will never be. You see most do not have the luck of Antwone Fisher and most kids who live in foster care end up with harrowing outcomes. At this moment there are about 600,000 children in America living in foster homes. Many of those children were not only abused by their natural parents, but they also have endured multiple placements in a variety of foster homes, group and detenion facilities and sometimes in orphanages where they have been abused again.....physically and spiritually. Kids who transition from foster care as young adults end up with a homeless rate of 40 percent and an unemployment rate of 50 percent within one year. Prostitution, crime, prision and early death are common for this population. Pretty dismal, eh? While Mr. Fisher's story may seem devestating and painful to some of you it was a cake walk compared to what many kids suffer through. Remember that he was not subjected to the constant movement in and out of foster homes as many of these kids are. After this kind of "ping pong" life these kids become angry, bitter, reject human bonds and often turn to a life of crimeNor is Mr. Fisher alone in the world as many of these kids are when they become young adults. Mr. Fisher was able to find his living relatives and share in the warmth of family, some of these kids don't have a living relative and no one to share in their successess, if they have any. So not only did they survive the pain of multiple moves in the foster care system, but they are alone as adults. Mr. Fisher has living relatives and he only lived in one placement. By my way of reckoning, Antwone did very well compared to most of these kids. Moreover, most do not wander onto the lot at Sony and then have Denzel Washington take an interest in them. So, admire Mr. Fisher for his luck if you must, but remember that his journey is mild compared to many. Go read Kids Who Outwit Adults and God Is In The Kitchen for more insight into the foster care experience.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS MAN...
Review: ...and what he has become. I just got so mad at what he had to endure through his childhood. It is not fair. But he got his book out and now I know how it is for some people. Beautiful book, I hope he is at peace from all the pain those ignorant people caused him!
Rating:
Summary: WHERE THERE'S LIFE THERE'S HOPE
Review: Antwone Fisher bares his soul and in many ways the soul of a generation of people who grew up in foster homes in this wonderful book. In reading his story, people like me, who grew up with two parents in a loving home should be on their knees thanking God or who ever they believe in for their blessing. Having grown up in the same area of Cleveland as Fish, I relished in the memories of the old neighbor. But I also remember children talking at school about somebody being a "welfare child". I remember knowing children who were pushed from pillar to post. But until you read Fish's story you can't imagine what life was really like for him and thousands of other children growing up in foster homes. I'm sure that there are loving and caring foster homes but many are not. The State does the best that they can, but it's a tough life. And the saddest part is the fact that at age 18 many of these children are left family-less and homeless just like Fish. If there was one sin that Fish's mother committed it was her negligence in connecting him in some way with his father's family. I'm sure that she had her reasons, but it certainly would have changed his life. This is really a "page turner" as one of the other reviewers commented. It's not an easy book to read and there were parts that almost brought tears to my eyes. But it's a side of life that exist. I'd recommend this book to middle and upper class childen who complain about their miserable blight in life. Let them walk a mile in Fish's shoes and maybe they'll change their tune.
Rating:
Summary: Triumph of the human spirit
Review: Mr. Fisher's story is truly inspirational. He brings the reader along with him during every atrocity and every victory he experiences. At times, it made me laugh to remember the way child literally thinks spending long hours in church. It made my eyes well when the young Antwone realizes he is being returned to Child Services leaving the only people he's known (albeit dysfunctional). It filled me with such joy for him once he finally discovers his family. Like other reviewers, I had to keep reminding myself this is a true story. Finding Fish shows how fragile yet strong the human spirit can be. It is by the grace of God that Mr. Fisher is able to tell the world his story. Excellent Read! It would truly be a pleasure to meet Mr. Fisher in person.
Rating:
Summary: Never Give up on Yourself!
Review: All I basically have to say about this book is it is simply beautiful. Fisher has done a wonderful job at exposing his hardships during childhood to reveal that miracles still happen. It is miracle that this young man is still alive and doing positve things with his life. Everyone, regardless of age, should read this inspirational book. It chronicles his tumultuous childhood to manhood. The book is page-turner, can't put it down kind of book. Buy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Familiar Story Well Told
Review: The glowing words of [...] readers are not unlike those of my book club. While I agree the story is heartbreaking and very well told, I struggle to find something that makes this story unique. In other words, why this story? Maybe I've lived in NYC too long, but Fisher's experiences were not unlike those of thousands of kids in America today. The Horation Alger aspect of Fisher's experience ties the whole thing up in a neat little package that I find disturbing and not at all the norm. Would I recommend this book? Indeed. The writing is good and, by all accounts, the editing is superb. The only difference between Fisher's account and the stories printed in daily papers across America is that his story is all in one place.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!
Review: I wanted to give this book ten starts but five was the limit! A co-worker gave it to me and told me she thought I would enjoy it. She was wrong! I loved it! Each page sent me deep and deeper in love with young "Twonny". I found myself lost in his childhoold and his constant struggle to find love in himself and in family. I cringed, I laughed, I even went as far as to cry as I rode the "G" train into work each morning. I recommemd you read this book and committ to reading it until you reach the last page. I sing praises to Antwone Quenton Fisher the writer and the warrior who stopped at nothing to find life and love.
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